Ahhh American goulash 🍝❤️ — cozy, nostalgic, one-pot comfort food. (Not the Hungarian kind — this is the tomato-beef-macaroni classic.)
Here’s a true old-school American goulash recipe.
American Goulash
Serves: 4–6
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups elbow macaroni (uncooked)
- 1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce
- 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes
- 2 cups beef broth or water
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1½ tsp paprika
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt & black pepper, to taste
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional)
Instructions
- Brown beef
- In a large pot or deep skillet, cook ground beef and onion over medium heat until beef is browned.
- Drain excess grease.
- Add garlic; cook 30 seconds.
- Build the sauce
- Stir in tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, broth, Worcestershire, paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
- Bring to a gentle boil.
- Add pasta
- Stir in elbow macaroni.
- Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer 15–20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is tender.
- Finish
- Taste and adjust seasoning.
- Stir in cheese if using until melted.
- Serve
- Let sit 5 minutes to thicken.
- Serve with bread or a simple salad.
🔥 Tips & Variations
- Extra cheesy: Add more cheese or a splash of milk
- Spicy: Red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce
- Veg-boost: Bell peppers, corn, or peas
- Baked version: Transfer to dish, top with cheese, bake at 375°F for 15 minutes
🧠 Good to know
- Even better the next day
- Freezes well
- Total comfort, zero stress
If you want, I can also give you a slow cooker American goulash, old-fashioned school cafeteria style, or healthier turkey version 😌
