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American Goulash

A warm pot of American goulash is a quick and filling one-pot meal that combines ground beef, tomatoes, pasta, and mild spices.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 bell pepper, chopped (any color)
  • 1 can (15 ounces) diced tomatoes, with juices
  • 1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce
  • 2 cups elbow macaroni, uncooked
  • 2 cups beef broth
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional, for topping)

Instructions

  1. In a large pot or Dutch oven, cook the ground beef over medium heat until fully browned and no longer pink. Drain excess fat if needed.
  2. Add the chopped onion, minced garlic, and chopped bell pepper to the pot with the beef. Sauté for 5–7 minutes until the vegetables are softened.
  3. Stir in the diced tomatoes (with juices), tomato sauce, beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, Italian seasoning, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Mix well.
  4. Increase heat to medium-high and bring to a gentle boil.
  5. Add the uncooked elbow macaroni, stirring to distribute evenly in the liquid.
  6. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15–20 minutes until pasta is cooked and most liquid is absorbed.
  7. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
  8. If using cheese, sprinkle cheddar over the top, cover, and let sit off heat until melted.
  9. Serve hot, topped with extra cheese or herbs if desired.

Notes

For a lighter version, substitute ground turkey or chicken. This recipe is flexible; feel free to change the vegetables or pasta as needed.

Nutrition

Keywords: goulash, one-pot meal, quick dinner, comfort food, pasta dish