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Old-Fashioned Goulash Recipe

Old-Fashioned Goulash Recipe


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4.8 from 11 reviews

  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 8 1x

Description

Hearty Hungarian goulash delivers comfort in a single pot, blending rich beef, paprika-spiced broth, and tender vegetables. Slow-simmered tradition brings warmth to your table, inviting you to savor classic flavors passed down through generations.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 2 pounds ground beef
  • 1 pound elbow macaroni
  • 2 (15 ounces / 425 grams) cans tomato sauce
  • 2 (14.5 ounces / 411 grams) cans petite diced tomatoes

Flavor Enhancers:

  • 1 onion, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons Italian seasoning
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Topping:

  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C), preparing a warm environment for the goulash.
  2. Boil water in a large pot and cook elbow macaroni approximately 3 minutes less than package directions, ensuring a perfectly al dente texture. Thoroughly drain pasta.
  3. Heat a large skillet over high temperature, combining ground beef and onions. Vigorously break down beef while cooking for 6-7 minutes until deeply browned, then carefully eliminate excess grease.
  4. Introduce minced garlic to the skillet, sautéing for roughly 1 minute to release aromatic flavors.
  5. Incorporate Worcestershire sauce, tomato sauce, and diced tomatoes, stirring comprehensively to create a rich, cohesive mixture.
  6. Season the mixture with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper, adjusting to personal taste preferences.
  7. Gently fold in cooked macaroni and shredded cheddar cheese. Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven, baking for 20-25 minutes until the dish becomes bubbling hot and cheese melts completely into a golden, appetizing surface.

Notes

  • Cook pasta slightly underdone to prevent mushiness during baking, as it will continue cooking in the sauce.
  • Thoroughly drain beef to reduce greasiness and create a cleaner, more concentrated flavor profile.
  • Use freshly shredded cheddar for smoother melting and better texture compared to pre-packaged options.
  • Substitute ground beef with plant-based crumbles for vegetarian version, or use ground turkey for leaner protein alternative.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Hungarian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 8
  • Calories: 610
  • Sugar: 7 g
  • Sodium: 870 mg
  • Fat: 30 g
  • Saturated Fat: 13 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
  • Trans Fat: 0.5 g
  • Carbohydrates: 43 g
  • Fiber: 4 g
  • Protein: 38 g
  • Cholesterol: 95 mg