American goulash

Here’s a classic, comforting American Goulash recipe — a one-pot, hearty pasta and beef dish (different from Hungarian goulash).

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🍲 American Goulash

Ingredients (Serves 4–6)

• 1 lb (≈450 g) ground beef
• 1 small onion, diced
• 2–3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 green bell pepper, diced (optional)
• 2 cups elbow macaroni (uncooked)
• 1 (15 oz / 425 g) can tomato sauce
• 1 (14–15 oz / 400 g) can diced tomatoes
• 2 Tbsp tomato paste
• 2 cups beef broth or water
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1/2 tsp salt (adjust to taste)
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional)

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Steps

1. Brown the Beef
   • In a large pot or Dutch oven, cook ground beef over medium heat until browned.
   • Drain excess grease.
2. Add Aromatics
   • Add onion and bell pepper.
   • Cook 4–5 minutes until softened.
   • Stir in garlic and cook 30 seconds.
3. Build the Sauce
   • Stir in tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, broth, and seasonings.
   • Bring to a gentle boil.
4. Add the Pasta
   • Stir in uncooked elbow macaroni.
   • Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer 12–15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is tender.
5. Finish
   • If using cheese, stir in shredded cheddar until melted.
   • Adjust seasoning to taste.
6. Serve
   • Let rest 5 minutes to thicken.
   • Serve warm with crusty bread or a side salad.

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⭐ Tips

• Add a splash of Worcestershire sauce for deeper flavor.
• For a spicier version, add red pepper flakes.
• This dish thickens as it sits — add a splash of broth when reheating.

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If you’d like, I can also give you a slow-cooker version or a cheesy baked American goulash casserole version.