Description
This classic Old Fashioned Goulash is a comforting one-pot meal featuring tender macaroni simmered with savory ground beef, stewed tomatoes, and a blend of spices. Perfect for a quick family dinner, it delivers hearty flavors with a simple, straightforward cooking process.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 1/2 lb macaroni
Meat and Vegetables
- 1 1/2 lbs ground beef
- 1 large onion, diced
Seasoning and Sauces
- Garlic salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
- Chili powder to taste
- Hot sauce to taste
- 2 (14.5 oz) cans whole stewed tomatoes, undrained
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- Tomato juice as needed
Instructions
- Cook the macaroni: Boil the macaroni in salted water according to package instructions until it reaches al dente texture. Drain and set aside.
- Brown the beef and onion: In an extra-large skillet or Dutch oven, cook the ground beef and diced onion over medium heat until the beef is no longer pink and the onion is softened, about 7-10 minutes.
- Season and add tomatoes: Drain any excess grease, then season the beef mixture with garlic salt, black pepper, chili powder, and hot sauce to taste. Add the undrained stewed tomatoes to the skillet and mash them slightly to distribute.
- Incorporate ketchup and macaroni: Stir in the 2 tablespoons of ketchup into the meat and tomato mixture. Add the cooked macaroni and mix thoroughly to combine all ingredients evenly.
- Adjust seasoning and add tomato juice: Taste the goulash and adjust seasoning if necessary. Add tomato juice gradually if you prefer a thinner consistency, stirring well.
- Simmer and serve: Allow the goulash to simmer gently over low heat for 5-10 minutes to blend flavors. Serve hot.
Notes
- For a milder taste, reduce or omit the hot sauce and chili powder.
- You can substitute elbow macaroni or small shells if preferred.
- Adding a little shredded cheese on top before serving adds extra richness.
- Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- This dish can be made ahead and reheated gently on the stovetop.
