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A steaming bowl of hearty American goulash with pasta and meat

Classic American Goulash

This classic American Goulash is a hearty and flavorful one-pot meal. Made with ground beef, elbow macaroni, and a rich tomato sauce, it's comfort food at its finest.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 6 people
Calories: 450
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 1 pound ground beef (80/20 lean)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 medium onion chopped
  • 2-3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 (28 oz) can diced tomatoes undrained
  • 1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce
  • 2 cups beef broth or water (plus more if needed)
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1-2 teaspoons dried Italian seasoning
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 1 (16 oz) box elbow macaroni
  • 1-2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

Equipment

  • Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot

Method
 

Cooking Instructions
  1. Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven and brown the ground beef, breaking it up and draining excess fat.
  2. Add chopped onion to the pot and sauté for 5-7 minutes until softened, then stir in minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
  3. Pour in diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, beef broth, and Worcestershire sauce; add Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper.

Notes

For a richer flavor, use beef broth instead of water. Adjust salt and pepper to your preference. You can add a pinch of sugar to balance the acidity of the tomatoes if desired.