Description
Classic American Goulash is a comforting, hearty one-pot dish featuring tender macaroni pasta simmered in a rich tomato and ground beef sauce, seasoned with Italian herbs and enhanced with a touch of sweetness to balance the acidity. Topped with melted cheddar cheese, this recipe offers a nostalgic and satisfying meal perfect for family dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Aromatics
- 2 pounds lean ground beef
- 3-4 cloves minced garlic
- 1 cup diced red pepper
Tomato Base
- 1 (28 ounces) can diced tomatoes
- 1 can condensed tomato soup (usually 10.75 ounces)
- 1 (680 ml) can tomato sauce
Seasonings and Sauces
- 1 1/2 tablespoons Italian seasoning
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1/2 tablespoon seasoning salt
- 1-2 tablespoons white sugar, to taste
Pasta and Cheese
- 2 1/2 cups dry macaroni
- 2 cups shredded medium or old cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Cook the Ground Beef: In a large stock pot over medium heat, fry the ground beef until fully cooked through, breaking it apart as it cooks. Once browned, carefully drain off the excess fat to reduce greasiness.
- Sauté Garlic and Peppers: Add the minced garlic to the pot with the cooked beef and sauté until fragrant and slightly browned. If using red peppers, add them now and cook until they soften slightly.
- Add Remaining Ingredients Except Macaroni: Pour in the diced tomatoes, condensed tomato soup, tomato sauce, Italian seasoning, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, seasoning salt, and sugar. Stir well to combine all ingredients and bring the mixture to a gentle low boil.
- Incorporate Macaroni: Add the dry macaroni noodles into the pot, stirring thoroughly so that the pasta is evenly distributed within the tomato and beef mixture.
- Simmer: Cover the pot with a lid and reduce heat to low. Let the goulash simmer gently for 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent the macaroni from sticking to the bottom. Cook until the pasta is tender.
- Serve with Cheese: Remove the pot from heat and sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over the top of the goulash while still hot to allow it to melt. Serve immediately for a warm, cheesy finish.
Notes
- The addition of white sugar is essential to balance the natural acidity of the tomatoes. Gradually add sugar and taste as you go to achieve your preferred sweetness level.
- Make sure to stir occasionally during simmering to prevent macaroni from sticking or burning at the bottom of the pot.
- You can adjust the amount of seasoning salt and Worcestershire sauce to taste if you prefer a more robust or milder flavor.
- For extra creaminess, consider stirring in a bit of cream or milk before serving.
- This dish reheats well and can be made ahead for convenient meals.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0.3g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 26g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
