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.
Ingredients
Scale
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)
Instructions
- Sizzle ground beef in a spacious skillet or pot, rendering it to a rich, caramel-brown hue while eliminating surplus fat.
- Introduce finely chopped onions and minced garlic, allowing them to transform into a translucent, fragrant base.
- 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.
- Tumble uncooked elbow macaroni into the bubbling liquid, stirring thoroughly to ensure even distribution and coating.
- Cloak the skillet with a tight-fitting lid, allowing the pasta to cook and absorb the savory essence, stirring intermittently to prevent sticking.
- Monitor the cooking process for 12-15 minutes, verifying the pasta reaches a perfect al dente texture with tender, yet slightly firm consistency.
- 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