Here’s a classic American Goulash recipe — a simple, hearty, and comforting one-pot meal with ground beef, pasta, and tomato sauce. 🍝🥩🍅
American Goulash Recipe
Ingredients (Serves 4–6)
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb (450 g) ground beef
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2–3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 green bell pepper, chopped (optional)
- 1 can (15 oz / 425 g) tomato sauce
- 1 can (14.5 oz / 411 g) diced tomatoes
- 1 cup beef broth or water
- 2 tsp Italian seasoning or 1 tsp dried oregano + 1 tsp dried basil
- 1 tsp paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni (or other small pasta)
- 1–1½ cups shredded cheddar cheese (optional, for topping)
Instructions
1. Cook the Beef
- In a large skillet or pot, brown ground beef over medium heat.
- Add chopped onion, garlic, and bell pepper; sauté until softened.
- Drain excess fat.
2. Add Tomato Base
- Stir in tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, beef broth, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Bring to a simmer and cook 5–10 minutes to let flavors combine.
3. Cook the Pasta
- Add uncooked pasta directly to the sauce.
- Stir well and cover.
- Simmer over medium-low heat for 12–15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is tender and most liquid is absorbed.
4. Add Cheese
- Remove from heat and stir in ½ cup of shredded cheese (optional).
- Sprinkle remaining cheese on top and cover for 2–3 minutes until melted.
5. Serve
- Serve hot, straight from the skillet, with optional garlic bread or a side salad.
Tips
- For more flavor, sauté the onions and garlic in a little olive oil before adding beef.
- Add sliced mushrooms or frozen corn for extra texture.
- Leftovers reheat well and can even be baked in a casserole dish with extra cheese for a baked goulash twist.
If you want, I can also give a 30-minute “stovetop” version of American Goulash that uses just one pan and minimal cleanup — still creamy and cheesy.
Do you want me to provide that quick version?
