Classic American Goulash (Beefy Macaroni)

 Description

Classic American Goulash is a hearty, one-pot comfort dish made with tender elbow macaroni, seasoned ground beef, and a rich tomato-based sauce. It’s simple, budget-friendly, and packed with bold, savory flavors. This dish is perfect for busy weeknights and delivers a satisfying, nostalgic homemade meal.

 Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef
• 2 cups elbow macaroni (uncooked)
• 1 small onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 cups beef broth
• 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
• 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
• 1 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1/2 tsp salt (adjust to taste)
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1 tbsp olive oil

Optional:

• 1/2 cup shredded cheese (cheddar or mozzarella)
• Fresh parsley for garnish

Instructions

1. Cook the Beef

• Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
• Add ground beef and cook until browned.
• Drain excess fat if needed.

2. Add Aromatics

• Add diced onion and cook for 3–4 minutes until softened.
• Stir in garlic and cook for 1 minute.

3. Build the Sauce

• Add tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, and beef broth.
• Stir in paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.

4. Add Pasta

• Stir in uncooked macaroni.
• Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low.

5. Simmer

• Cover and cook for 12–15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is tender.

6. Finish

• Optional: stir in cheese until melted.
• Adjust seasoning if needed.

7. Serve

• Serve hot, garnished with parsley or extra cheese.

 Servings

• Serves 4–5 people

 Notes

• This is an American-style goulash, not traditional Hungarian goulash.
• One-pot cooking makes cleanup easy.
• Sauce thickens as it cools.

Tips for Best Results

• Use lean ground beef (80/20 works best for flavor)
• Stir occasionally to prevent pasta from sticking
• Add a splash of water or broth if it gets too thick
• Let it rest 5 minutes before serving for better texture
• For extra flavor, add a pinch of red pepper flakes

 Nutritional Information (Approx per serving)

• Calories: 400–500 kcal
• Protein: 20–25g
• Fat: 15–20g
• Carbohydrates: 40–50g
• Fiber: 3–5g

 Benefits

• Balanced meal with protein, carbs, and fats
• Provides energy and keeps you full longer
• Budget-friendly and great for meal prep
• Easy to customize with vegetables
• Kid-friendly and widely loved

 Q&A

Q: Can I use a different pasta?
A: Yes, any short pasta like penne or shells works well.

Q: Can I make it ahead of time?
A: Yes, it reheats well and tastes even better the next day.

Q: How do I make it healthier?
A: Use lean ground turkey and whole wheat pasta.

Q: Can I freeze it?
A: Yes, store in airtight containers for up to 2 months.

Q: Why is my goulash dry?
A: Add more broth or tomato sauce and stir well.

Q: Can I add vegetables?
A: Absolutely—bell peppers, zucchini, or mushrooms are great additions.