Classic American Goulash
A comforting one-pot meal that combines ground beef, pasta, and a flavorful tomato sauce, perfect for family dinners or potlucks.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 pounds ground beef
- 1 large diced onion
- 4 cloves minced garlic
- 3 cups water
- 1 tablespoon beef base (or bouillon)
- 2 15-ounce cans tomato sauce
- 2 15-ounce cans diced tomatoes (one petite diced)
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons Italian seasoning
- 1 tablespoon seasoned salt
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cups elbow macaroni noodles (uncooked)
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- Fresh chopped Italian parsley (for garnish)
Instructions
Preparation
- Add the ground beef to a large stockpot over medium-high heat. Cook and brown the beef for 7-8 minutes. Remove the meat from the pot and drain, leaving about 1-2 tablespoons of grease in the pot.
- Add the diced onion to the pot and cook for about 5 minutes over medium heat until tender. Then add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute.
- Return the cooked beef to the pot. Add water, beef base, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, soy sauce, Italian seasoning, seasoned salt, paprika, black pepper, and bay leaves. Stir everything to combine, then bring the mixture to a boil.
Cooking
- Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it simmer for 20 minutes.
- Stir in the uncooked elbow macaroni noodles. Cover and simmer for another 15-20 minutes or until the noodles are al dente, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Just before serving, stir in the shredded cheddar cheese and garnish with fresh chopped Italian parsley.
Notes
This dish pairs well with garlic bread, salad, or steamed vegetables. For variety, try different pasta shapes or cheeses.