Easy Old Fashioned Goulash Recipe: Cozy Comfort in a Bowl

Savory aromas of a classic Hungarian goulash will transport you straight to the heart of budapest’s bustling streets.

Comfort flows through every spoonful of this hearty dish.

Generations have cherished these rich, warming flavors passed down through culinary traditions.

Tender beef chunks nestled in a robust, paprika-infused broth promise deep satisfaction.

Rustic ingredients come together in a symphony of taste that feels both nostalgic and exciting.

Simple yet profound, this recipe connects you to centuries of home cooking wisdom.

Let the magic of slow-simmered goodness inspire your next kitchen adventure.

Old Fashioned Goulash: Classic Flavors That Always Hit Home

• Comfort Food Champion: A hearty, one-pot meal that transforms simple ingredients into a satisfying dinner everyone craves.
• Quick and Easy Weeknight Savior: Minimal prep and cooking time means you can have a delicious meal on the table in under 30 minutes, perfect for busy families.
• Budget-Friendly Delight: Uses affordable ingredients like ground beef, pasta, and pantry staples, delivering maximum flavor without breaking the bank.
• Kid-Approved Crowd-Pleaser: Mild seasonings and cheesy goodness make this goulash a hit with children and picky eaters, ensuring clean plates all around.

Old-Fashioned Goulash Key Ingredients

• Ground Beef: Rich protein source that provides hearty flavor and texture to the goulash.
• Onion: Adds depth and aromatic base to the dish.
• Garlic: Enhances overall savory profile with its intense flavor.

• Tomato Sauce: Creates smooth, rich sauce base for the goulash.
• Diced Tomatoes: Provides chunky texture and bright tomato flavor.
• Beef Broth: Adds extra depth and moisture to the dish.

• Elbow Macaroni: Classic pasta shape that holds sauce well and adds comfort food element.
• Italian Seasoning: Blend of herbs that brings traditional Mediterranean flavor.
• Salt: Essential for balanced seasoning.
• Black Pepper: Adds subtle heat and complexity.
• Paprika: Provides signature Hungarian-style warmth and color.
• Cheddar Cheese: Optional topping that adds creamy, sharp finish to the dish.

Old Fashioned Goulash Prep Instructions

Step 1: Brown the Beef

Heat a large skillet over medium flame and cook the ground beef until it turns a rich golden brown.

Drain away any extra fat to keep the dish light and clean.

Step 2: Sauté Aromatics

Toss in the chopped onions and minced garlic.

Gently cook them until they become soft and release their fragrant flavors, creating a delicious base for the goulash.

Step 3: Build the Sauce

• Tomato sauce
• Diced tomatoes
• Beef broth
• Italian seasoning
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Paprika

Stir everything together and let the mixture come to a gentle simmer, allowing the spices to meld and create a rich, deep flavor profile.

Step 4: Cook the Pasta

Add the uncooked elbow macaroni directly into the sauce.

Cover the skillet and let it cook for 12-15 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.

The pasta will absorb the delicious sauce and become perfectly tender.

Step 5: Optional Cheese Finish

For an extra creamy touch, sprinkle shredded cheese over the top of the goulash just before serving.

The heat will melt the cheese, creating a luxurious, comforting finish to this classic dish.

Goulash With Classic Comfort Tips That Still Work

• Remove all excess fat from ground beef to prevent a greasy texture and keep the dish lighter.
• Adjust Italian seasoning and paprika levels to match your taste preferences, making the goulash uniquely yours.
• Sprinkle shredded cheese on top after removing from heat for a smoother, more even melt without overcooking.
• Stir macaroni frequently to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking throughout the dish.
• Store goulash in an airtight container and reheat gently, adding a splash of broth to maintain moisture and restore original consistency.

Store Goulash And Reheat It Like New

• Transfer cooled goulash to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
• Place leftovers in freezer-safe containers, leaving some space for expansion. Freeze for up to 3 months.
• Warm goulash in a pot over medium-low heat, adding a splash of beef broth to prevent drying. Stir occasionally until heated through.
• Heat individual portions in a microwave-safe dish, stirring halfway through cooking to ensure even heating. Add a little water or broth to maintain moisture.

Meal Matches for Old Fashioned Goulash

• Savor Hungarian Red Wine Harmony: Pair this hearty goulash with a full-bodied Hungarian red like Egri Bikavér (Bull's Blood), which complements the rich beef and spicy paprika flavors with its robust character.
• Create Comfort Bread Companion: Serve warm, crusty sourdough bread or traditional Hungarian pogácsa (cheese biscuits) alongside the goulash to soak up the delicious sauce and add a delightful textural contrast.
• Match Crisp Beer Balance: Choose a Czech-style pilsner or German lager to cut through the goulash's richness, providing a refreshing counterpoint that cleanses the palate between savory bites.
• Enhance with Tangy Sour Cream Topping: Add a dollop of cold sour cream on top of the goulash to provide a cool, creamy element that balances the dish's warm spices and adds a luxurious finishing touch.

Old-Fashioned Goulash with Rich Sauce Adjustments

• Vegetarian Goulash: Replace ground beef with plant-based crumbles or diced mushrooms for a meat-free version. Use vegetable broth instead of beef broth.
• Gluten-Free Option: Swap regular elbow macaroni with gluten-free pasta made from rice, corn, or quinoa. Ensure all other ingredients are certified gluten-free.
• Spicy Hungarian Style: Increase paprika and add hot Hungarian pepper or red pepper flakes for an authentic, fiery kick. Include additional spices like caraway seeds for depth.
• Low-Carb Alternative: Substitute pasta with spiralized zucchini noodles or cauliflower rice. Reduce overall carbohydrate content while maintaining rich, hearty flavors.

FAQs

• Is goulash originally from the United States?

The dish has Hungarian roots, but American-style goulash differs from the traditional Hungarian version by using ground beef and elbow macaroni instead of chunks of beef and other traditional ingredients.

• Can I use different types of pasta?

Elbow macaroni works best for this recipe, but you can substitute with similar short pasta like rotini or shells if needed.

• What makes this goulash different from other pasta dishes?

This one-pot meal combines ground beef, tomato sauce, and pasta in a simple, hearty recipe that’s quick to prepare and perfect for family dinners.

• Is this recipe kid-friendly?

Absolutely! The mild seasonings and cheesy option make it a crowd-pleaser for children and adults alike, with familiar flavors that most people enjoy.

Old Fashioned Goulash Recipe

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4.7 from 27 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Hearty old fashioned goulash recipe brings Hungarian comfort to your dinner table, blending rich beef, paprika, and slow-cooked goodness. Warm spices and tender meat promise a soul-satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Protein:

• 1 pound (454 grams) ground beef

Vegetables and Aromatics:

• 1 small onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced

Pantry and Liquid Ingredients:

• 1 can (15 ounces / 425 grams) tomato sauce
• 1 can (15 ounces / 425 grams) diced tomatoes
• 1 cup (240 milliliters) beef broth
• 1 cup (240 grams) elbow macaroni
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 cup (56 grams) shredded cheddar cheese (optional)

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Instructions

1. Sizzle ground beef in a spacious skillet or pot, rendering it to a rich, caramel-brown hue while eliminating surplus fat.
2. Introduce finely chopped onions and minced garlic, allowing them to transform into a translucent, fragrant base.
3. Cascade tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, robust beef broth, and a symphony of Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and paprika into the mixture, coaxing the ingredients to meld and simmer gently.
4. Tumble uncooked elbow macaroni into the bubbling liquid, stirring thoroughly to ensure even distribution and coating.
5. Cloak the skillet with a tight-fitting lid, allowing the pasta to cook and absorb the savory essence, stirring intermittently to prevent sticking.
6. Monitor the cooking process for 12-15 minutes, verifying the pasta reaches a perfect al dente texture with tender, yet slightly firm consistency.
7. Optional: Crown the goulash with a blizzard of shredded cheese moments before serving, creating a molten, irresistible finish.

Notes

• Create a leaner version by using ground turkey or chicken instead of beef for a healthier twist.
• Swap out traditional elbow macaroni with gluten-free pasta to accommodate those with wheat sensitivities.
• Enhance the flavor profile by adding a splash of Worcestershire sauce or a pinch of smoked paprika for extra depth.
• Make this dish more veggie-packed by tossing in diced bell peppers, zucchini, or mushrooms during the sautéing stage for added nutrition and texture.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Hungarian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 360
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 38 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 22 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg