Old Fashioned American Goulash
Old Fashioned American Goulash is an easy 30 minute meal, cooked in one pot with macaroni, tomato sauce, cheddar cheesed, and ground beef. It’s hearty and delicious and a quick weeknight dinner.
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This is a satisfying meal everyone will love! It reminds me of hamburger helper, which is always a favorite. Old fashioned American goulash is quick and easy and made with simple pantry ingredients.
We love this with cheddar cheese, but you can leave it out or replace the cheddar with mozzarella, parmesan or pepper jack for a kick.
Get more family friendly dinner ideas here
What you’ll need
You can find the full, printable recipe with exact measurements at the bottom of this post. Read on for more details and tips!
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- Large pot
- Lean ground beef– you could also substitute ground chicken or turkey
- Elbow macaroni– one box
- Onion, bell pepper (any color), and garlic cloves
- Tomato paste– just a spoonful, you can omit this if you don’t have tomato paste on hand, just enhances the tomato flavors
- Tomato sauce – not spaghetti sauce. The tomato sauce that comes in a can.
- Diced tomatoes with Italian seasonings, with the juice
- Worcestershire sauce
- Beef broth -Really deepens the flavors and it helps to cook the macaroni. You can also use chicken or vegetable broth.
- Seasonings– paprika, salt, pepper, parsley
- Shredded cheddar cheese– this is optional, but I love it in this dish! You can also use parmesan cheese or mozzarella
How to make it
Cook the ground beef in a large pot over medium high heat. When the beef is half cooked add in the diced onion, garlic and pepper. Continue cooking until the beef is no longer pink, about 10 minutes. (Drain if necessary)
Add in the Worcestershire sauce, all seasonings, tomato paste, tomato sauce, beef broth and diced tomatoes. Turn the heat to high, bring to a boil and stir.
When boiling pour in the macaroni and lower to medium heat while continuing to simmer. Push the macaroni into the liquid.
Cover and cook 15 minutes, or until the macaroni is tender. Stir every 5 minutes.
Sprinkle in the cheddar cheese and stir until the cheese is melted and serve. Comfort food to fill bellies. Yum!
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Tips
- Refrigerate leftovers up to 3 days.
- To freeze: Prepare the goulash up until the step for adding the macaroni. Completely cool and then freeze the meat tomato mixture. When you’re ready to cook it, thaw the meat, heat to simmering and add the macaroni. Finish cooking according to the directions.
- Use ground chicken or turkey instead of beef
- The cheese is optional, leave it out if you prefer. Substitute shredded colby cheese. parmesan, pepper jack or mozzarella
One pot recipes
- Chicken Broccoli Lasagna Skillet
- Chicken a la King
- Sausage and Peppers Pasta
- Chicken Fajita Casserole
- Cheesesteak Pasta
- Ravioli Casserole
- Chicken Tot Pie
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Old Fashioned American Goulash
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 pounds lean ground beef
- 16 ounces elbow macaroni
- 1 onion diced
- 1 bell pepper diced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 28 ounces can tomato sauce
- 15 ounce can diced tomatoes with Italian seasonings
- 1 tbsp worcestershire sauce
- 1 1/2 cups beef broth
- 1 tbsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 pepper
- 1 tsp dried parsley
- 2 cups cheddar cheese shredded
Instructions
- Cook the ground beef in a large pot over medium high heat. When the beef is half cooked add in the diced onion, garlic and pepper. Continue cooking until the beef is no longer pink, about 10 minutes. (Drain if necessary)
- Add in the Worcestershire sauce, all seasonings, tomato paste, tomato sauce, beef broth and diced tomatoes. Turn the heat to high, bring to a boil and stir.
- When boiling, pour in the macaroni and lower to medium heat while continuing to simmer. Push the macaroni into the liquid.
- Cover and cook 15 minutes, or until the macaroni is tender. Stir every 5 minutes.
- Sprinkle in the cheddar cheese and stir until the cheese is melted and serve.
Notes
- Refrigerate leftovers up to 3 days.
- To freeze: Prepare the goulash up until the step for adding the macaroni. Completely cool and then freeze the meat tomato mixture. When you’re ready to cook it, thaw the meat, heat to simmering and add the macaroni. Finish cooking according to the directions.
- Use ground chicken or turkey instead of beef
- The cheese is optional, leave it out if you prefer. Substitute shredded colby cheese. parmesan, pepper jack or mozzarella
