Description
This Classic Goulash recipe is the ultimate comfort food. Made with tender ground beef, elbow macaroni, and a rich tomato base, it’s an easy one-pot dinner perfect for busy weeknights. This hearty meal feeds a crowd and reheats beautifully, making it ideal for meal prep. Whether you’re searching for nostalgic family dinners, beef pasta recipes, or quick comfort meals, this classic American goulash has you covered.
Ingredients
1 pound ground beef
2 cups elbow macaroni
1 medium yellow onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, with juice
2 cups beef broth
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
1. Heat a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook until it begins to brown, breaking it apart as it cooks.
2. Add diced onion and garlic to the pot. Continue cooking until beef is fully browned and onions are translucent.
3. Stir in the tomato sauce, diced tomatoes with their juice, beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
4. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and let cook for 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
5. Add the uncooked elbow macaroni to the pot. Stir well, then cover and simmer on low heat for 15–20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is tender.
6. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. For extra richness, stir in shredded cheddar cheese if desired.
7. Serve hot in bowls. Garnish with fresh parsley or grated cheese if preferred.
Notes
Classic goulash tastes even better the next day, making it perfect for leftovers.
For a lighter version, swap ground beef with ground turkey.
Add bell peppers, mushrooms, or zucchini for an extra veggie boost.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 410
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 680mg
- Fat: 17g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 26g
- Cholesterol: 60mg