Description
American Goulash is a cozy, one-pot pasta dish made with ground beef, elbow macaroni, and a rich tomato-based sauce. Simple, hearty, and comforting, it’s a nostalgic favorite that’s perfect for weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 2 cups elbow macaroni (uncooked)
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
- 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 3 cups beef broth or water
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 bay leaf
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional)
- Fresh parsley, chopped (optional garnish)
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium heat. Add chopped onion and cook until softened, about 3–4 minutes.
- Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it apart as it cooks. Drain excess fat if needed.
- Stir in garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Add tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, broth, Worcestershire sauce, Italian seasoning, bay leaf, salt, and pepper. Stir well to combine.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 10–15 minutes to blend flavors.
- Stir in uncooked elbow macaroni. Cover and simmer for 10–12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is tender.
- Remove bay leaf. Stir in shredded cheese if using.
- Garnish with fresh parsley and serve hot.
Notes
- Cook pasta directly in the sauce for maximum flavor and minimal cleanup.
- Don’t overcook pasta—aim for al dente to avoid mushiness.
- Great for meal prep; flavors deepen after a day.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 46g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
