Name: Old-Fashioned Goulash Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 40 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 lb lean ground beef; 1 medium yellow onion, chopped; 3 cloves garlic, minced; 1 cup bell peppers (red or green), diced; 2 cups elbow macaroni; 1 can (15 oz) diced tomatoes; 8 oz tomato sauce; 2 cups beef broth; 2 tsp Italian seasoning; Salt and pepper to taste; Grated Parmesan cheese for serving

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Introduction

Old-Fashioned Goulash is a comforting and hearty one-pot meal that combines tender ground beef, flavorful tomatoes, and tender macaroni. This simple dish is perfect for busy weeknights and offers a cozy, satisfying dinner for the whole family.

The image shows a close-up of a large white pot filled with a hearty mix of elbow macaroni pasta and ground meat cooked in a tomato sauce. The macaroni pieces are light yellow and slightly glossy, scattered evenly throughout the dish, while the ground meat is brown and crumbly, covering much of the pasta. Bright red chunks of tomato add spots of color mixed within the pasta and meat. The sauce looks thick and rich, coating all the ingredients but allowing the pasta and meat to hold their textures. The white pot is set on a surface with a white marbled texture. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1 lb lean ground beef
2 cups elbow macaroni
1 medium yellow onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup bell peppers (red or green), diced
1 can (15 oz) diced tomatoes
8 oz tomato sauce
2 cups beef broth
2 tsp Italian seasoning
Salt and pepper to taste
Grated Parmesan cheese (optional)

Instructions

Step 1: In a large pot over medium heat, brown the ground beef until fully cooked; drain excess fat.
Step 2: Add chopped onions and minced garlic; cook until onions are translucent, about 3-4 minutes.
Step 3: Stir in diced bell peppers; sauté until softened, approximately another 3-4 minutes.
Step 4: Add canned tomatoes, tomato sauce, and beef broth; bring to a simmer for about five minutes.
Step 5: Incorporate elbow macaroni along with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper; gently boil before reducing heat to low. Cover and simmer for 15-20 minutes or until pasta is al dente.
Step 6: Adjust seasoning if needed before serving hot with optional grated Parmesan cheese on top.

Tips & Variations

Use ground turkey or chicken as a leaner alternative to ground beef.
Add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes for a mild spicy kick.
Substitute elbow macaroni with other small pasta shapes like shells or penne.
For extra veggies, toss in some mushrooms or zucchini along with the bell peppers.
Stir in a handful of fresh chopped parsley or basil before serving for a fresh flavor boost.

Storage

Store leftover goulash in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave, adding a splash of beef broth or water to keep the pasta from drying out.

How to Serve

A close-up view of a white bowl filled with three layers of macaroni pasta in a rich tomato-based meat sauce; the bottom layer shows soft, curved pale-yellow macaroni noodles, the middle layer has chunky red tomato pieces mixed with cooked ground beef in a thick reddish-brown sauce, and the top layer is a mix of glistening macaroni noodles and browned ground beef with tomato bits spread evenly on the surface, all set against a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this dish in advance?

Yes, Old-Fashioned Goulash tastes great reheated and can be prepared a day ahead. Just store it properly in the refrigerator and reheat thoroughly before serving.

What can I use if I don’t have beef broth?

If you don’t have beef broth on hand, you can substitute with chicken broth, vegetable broth, or even water with a bit of added seasoning for flavor.