Description
This American Goulash Recipe is a cozy, hearty, and easy-to-make comfort food combining tender ground beef, elbow macaroni, and a rich tomato sauce. Perfect for busy weeknights, it delivers warm, satisfying flavors with minimal fuss and cleanup in one pot.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Pasta
- 1 pound ground beef
- 2 cups elbow macaroni
Tomato Base
- 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes
- 1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce
Aromatics and Liquids
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 2–3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups beef broth
Cheese (Optional)
- 1 to 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Seasonings
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Instructions
- Brown the Ground Beef: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and cook the ground beef until no longer pink, stirring occasionally to break it up. This develops a rich, meaty base for the dish.
- Sauté Onion and Garlic: Add the finely chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet with the browned beef, cooking until the onion is soft and fragrant. This builds an aromatic foundation for the goulash.
- Add Tomatoes and Sauce: Pour in the diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and beef broth. Stir everything together thoroughly to combine all the flavorful liquids with the meat mixture.
- Season and Simmer: Sprinkle in salt, pepper, paprika, and Italian seasoning. Let the sauce simmer gently for about 10 minutes, letting the flavors meld and deepen.
- Cook the Pasta: Stir the elbow macaroni directly into the simmering sauce, then cover the skillet. Cook for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is tender and has absorbed the sauce.
- Add Cheese and Serve: Remove the skillet from heat, sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over the top, then cover again for a few minutes to let the cheese melt. Serve warm.
Notes
- Use fresh garlic and onion for the best flavor impact.
- Do not skip the simmering step to develop rich, cohesive flavors.
- Stir regularly while cooking the pasta to prevent it from sticking to the pan.
- Add cheese off the heat to keep it melty without overcooking.
- Double the recipe for easy meal prep and freezing.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: thirty-five g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg
Keywords: American goulash, comfort food, ground beef recipe, one pot meal, easy weeknight dinner