Here’s a classic, hearty American Goulash recipe — a comforting one-pot meal made with ground beef, tomatoes, and pasta. 🍝🥩🍅
American Goulash
Ingredients (Serves 4–6)
- 1 lb (450 g) ground beef
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2–3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 green bell pepper, chopped (optional)
- 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
- 1–1½ cups beef broth or water
- 2 tsp Italian seasoning (or 1 tsp oregano + 1 tsp basil)
- 1 tsp paprika
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 2 cups elbow macaroni (uncooked)
- 1–1½ cups shredded cheddar cheese (optional)
Instructions
1. Brown the Beef
- In a large pot or deep skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef until browned.
- Add onion, garlic, and bell pepper; cook 3–5 minutes until softened.
- Drain excess grease.
2. Add Sauce Ingredients
- Stir in tomato sauce, diced tomatoes (with juice), broth, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Bring to a gentle simmer and cook 5–10 minutes to blend flavors.
3. Cook the Pasta
- Add uncooked macaroni directly into the pot.
- Stir well, cover, and simmer 12–15 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Cook until pasta is tender and sauce has thickened. Add a splash of broth if needed.
4. Add Cheese (Optional)
- Stir in ½ cup cheese until melted.
- Sprinkle remaining cheese on top, cover, and let melt for 2–3 minutes.
Serve
- Serve hot with garlic bread or a simple green salad.
Tips
- For extra flavor, add a splash of Worcestershire sauce.
- Add mushrooms or corn for variation.
- Leftovers taste even better the next day and reheat well.
If you’d like, I can also give you a baked American goulash casserole version with extra melted cheese on top.
