Here’s a comforting, one-pot American Goulash recipe—simple, hearty, and perfect for a weeknight meal:
🍲 American Goulash (Classic & Easy)
🧾 Ingredients
- 1 lb (450g) ground beef
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2–3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups elbow macaroni (uncooked)
- 1 can (400–450g) diced tomatoes
- 1 can (200g) tomato sauce
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 2 cups beef broth or water
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt & pepper to taste
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional)
👩🍳 Instructions
1. Brown the beef
In a large pot, cook ground beef over medium heat. Add onion and cook until soft. Stir in garlic for 30 seconds.
2. Build the sauce
Add diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, broth, and spices. Mix well.
3. Add pasta
Stir in uncooked macaroni. Bring to a gentle boil.
4. Simmer
Reduce heat, cover, and cook for 12–15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is tender.
5. Finish
Adjust seasoning. Stir in cheese if using, and let it melt.
🍽️ Tips
- Add bell peppers for extra flavor
- Use ground turkey for a lighter version
- Let it sit 5 minutes before serving—it thickens nicely
🇺🇸 What makes it “American”?
Unlike traditional Hungarian goulash, this version is:
- Tomato-based
- Made with pasta instead of chunks of meat and potatoes
- A quick, family-style comfort dish
If you want, I can also share the authentic Hungarian version for comparison—it’s very different but just as delicious.
