Description
This hearty American goulash recipe is the ultimate one-pot comfort meal made with ground beef, elbow macaroni, and a savory tomato-based sauce. Perfect for weeknight dinners, meal prep, and feeding a crowd.
Ingredients
1 pound ground beef
1 medium onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 cups elbow macaroni, uncooked
1 can (15 ounces) tomato sauce
1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes
2 cups beef broth
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
2 bay leaves
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon pepper
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1 cup shredded cheese (optional, for topping)
Instructions
1. In a large pot over medium heat, cook the ground beef until browned. Drain any grease.
2. Add chopped onion and garlic. Sauté for 3 to 4 minutes until fragrant.
3. Stir in tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, paprika, salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, and bay leaves. Bring to a simmer.
4. Stir in the elbow macaroni. Cover and simmer on low heat for 15 to 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is tender.
5. Remove bay leaves. Serve hot and top with shredded cheese if desired.
Notes
Use short pasta like elbow or shells to absorb the sauce.
Adjust seasoning to taste, especially salt and Worcestershire.
For creaminess, stir in a bit of cream cheese or sour cream at the end.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 890mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 60mg