Here’s a classic American Goulash recipe—comforting, cheesy, and simple to make 🍝🍅
🍝 American Goulash (4–6 servings)
Ingredients
- 1 lb (450 g) ground beef
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2–3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp paprika (optional)
- Salt & pepper to taste
- 2 cups elbow macaroni (uncooked)
- 1–1½ cups shredded cheddar cheese (optional, for topping)
Instructions
- Cook the beef:
- In a large skillet or pot, brown ground beef over medium heat.
- Drain excess fat if needed.
- Add aromatics:
- Add onion and garlic; cook 3–4 min until softened.
- Add tomatoes & seasoning:
- Stir in tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Bring to a simmer and cook 10–15 min for flavors to meld.
- Cook pasta in sauce:
- Add uncooked elbow macaroni and about 1 cup water or broth.
- Cover and cook on low heat 10–12 min, stirring occasionally, until pasta is tender.
- Add more liquid if needed to keep it saucy.
- Add cheese (optional):
- Stir in ½–1 cup shredded cheddar or sprinkle on top and cover until melted.
- Serve:
- Serve hot, optionally garnished with parsley or extra cheese.
🔄 Variations
- Vegetable Goulash: Add bell peppers, peas, or corn.
- Spicy: Add red pepper flakes or hot paprika.
- One-pot: Cook all ingredients, including pasta, in a slow cooker for 2–3 hours on low.
- Cheesy baked version: Transfer to a baking dish, top with extra cheese, and bake 15 min at 350°F (175°C).
💡 Tips
- Stir frequently when cooking pasta in the sauce to prevent sticking.
- Use freshly shredded cheddar for better melting than pre-shredded.
- This dish reheats well and tastes even better the next day.
I can also give a super quick 30-minute stovetop American goulash version that’s minimal prep and still creamy and cheesy. Do you want that?
