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Old-Fashioned American Goulash
This old-fashioned American goulash recipe is a delicious one-pot meal with tender pasta, hearty ground beef, and a rich tomato-based sauce, perfect for busy weeknights.
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Servings: 8
Calories: 216kcal
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 yellow onion finely diced
- 1 green bell pepper seeded and finely diced
- 2 carrots finely diced (1 cup)
- 4 stalks celery finely diced (1 cup)
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt to taste
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar to taste
- 2 (15-ounce) cans crushed tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 cups chicken stock
- 1 cup water plus more as needed for cooking
- 1 (16-ounce) package elbow macaroni or any small pasta
Instructions
Prepare the Pot and Cook the Ground Beef
- Heat a heavy 6-quart Dutch oven over medium-high heat and add 1 tablespoon of olive oil.
- Add the ground beef to the hot pot and break it apart using a meat chopper. Cook for about 1 minute, just until it starts browning.
Sauté the Vegetables
- Stir in the diced carrots, onion, bell pepper, and celery. Cook for about 5 minutes, or until the vegetables soften.
- Add the minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Mix in the tomato paste and sauté for 30 seconds to 1 minute, allowing it to slightly caramelize.
- Season with salt, oregano, pepper, paprika, and sugar, stirring well to combine the flavors.
Add Liquids and Simmer
- Pour in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, chicken stock, and water. Stir to mix thoroughly.
- Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Cover the pot and let it cook for 15 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
Cook the Macaroni
- Stir the uncooked macaroni into the pot, ensuring the pasta is evenly distributed.
- Lower the heat to maintain a simmer, cover the pot, and cook for 20 minutes. Stir occasionally, to prevent the pasta from sticking to the bottom.
- If the mixture becomes too thick or dry during cooking, add hot water ¼ cup at a time to maintain a moist, saucy consistency.
Finish and Serve
- Taste the goulash and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if necessary.
- Serve hot, optionally topped with grated parmesan or cheddar cheese.
Serving Suggestions
- Pair with warm crusty bread or garlic bread and a fresh side salad for a complete meal.
- Leftovers taste even better the next day as the flavors deepen and meld further.
- Enjoy this comforting, one-pot American Goulash!
Nutrition
Serving: 1 serving | Calories: 216kcal | Carbohydrates: 10g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 42mg | Sodium: 795mg | Potassium: 456mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 3198IU | Vitamin C: 16mg | Calcium: 48mg | Iron: 2mg
*Nutrition information is automatically calculated based on ingredient data and should be considered an estimate. When multiple ingredient options are provided, the first listed is used for calculation. Optional ingredients and garnishes are not included in the nutrition analysis.