🌟 Introduction

Old-fashioned goulash is a hearty, budget-friendly one-pot meal made with seasoned ground beef, onions, garlic, tomatoes, tomato sauce, beef broth, and pasta. It is simple, filling, and wonderfully comforting. 🥰🍅

This recipe is especially great for busy family dinners because everything comes together in one pot, making both cooking and cleanup easier. It is the sort of meal that can feed a hungry family without requiring expensive ingredients. ❤️🍽️

🛒 Ingredients

🥩 Main Ingredients

• 1 pound (450 g) ground beef
• 1 small onion, diced 🧅
• 2 cloves garlic, minced 🧄
• 1 can (15 oz / 425 g) diced tomatoes 🍅
• 1 can (15 oz / 425 g) tomato sauce 🍅
• 1½ cups beef broth 🥣
• 2 cups elbow macaroni or other small pasta 🍝
• 1 teaspoon salt 🧂
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning 🌿
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• ½ teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, optional
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, optional but delicious 🧀

🌶️ Optional Additions

• 1 green bell pepper, diced 🫑
• ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes 🌶️
• 1 teaspoon sugar, if the tomato sauce tastes too acidic
• Fresh parsley for garnish 🌿
• Extra grated Parmesan cheese 🧀

👩‍🍳 Preparation

1. Prepare the vegetables.
   Dice the onion and, if using, the bell pepper. Mince the garlic. 🧅🫑🧄
2. Prepare the ingredients.
   Open the cans of tomatoes and tomato sauce and measure out the beef broth. Having everything ready makes the cooking process easier. 🍅🥣
3. Choose a large pot.
   A Dutch oven or large heavy-bottomed pot works particularly well because the goulash can simmer evenly. 🍲

🍳 Method

1. Brown the Beef 🥩

Place a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook for about 5–7 minutes, breaking it apart with a spoon as it cooks.

Cook until the beef is browned and no longer pink. If there is a large amount of excess fat, carefully drain it.

2. Add the Onion and Garlic 🧅🧄

Add the diced onion to the beef and cook for about 3–4 minutes, until softened.

Add the minced garlic and cook for another 30–60 seconds, just until fragrant.

Be careful not to burn the garlic.

3. Build the Tomato Base 🍅

Add:

• Diced tomatoes
• Tomato sauce
• Beef broth
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Italian seasoning
• Paprika
• Oregano
• Worcestershire sauce, if using

Stir everything together until well combined. 😋

4. Add the Pasta 🍝

Stir the uncooked macaroni directly into the pot.

Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low.

Cover partially and simmer for approximately 12–15 minutes, stirring occasionally so the pasta doesn’t stick to the bottom.

Cook until the pasta is tender.

5. Taste and Adjust 🥄

Taste the goulash and adjust the seasoning.

You can add:

• More salt 🧂
• More pepper
• Extra paprika
• A pinch of red pepper flakes 🌶️
• A little sugar if the tomatoes taste particularly acidic

6. Add Cheese 🧀❤️

If you’d like a creamy, cheesy finish, sprinkle shredded cheddar over the top.

Cover the pot for 2–3 minutes, allowing the cheese to melt.

7. Garnish 🌿

Sprinkle with fresh parsley or Parmesan cheese before serving.

Serve hot with crusty bread for dipping. 🥖🍲

🍽️ Serving Method

Spoon the goulash into large bowls while it is still hot. Add a little extra shredded cheese on top and serve with:

• 🥖 Crusty bread
• 🥗 Green salad
• 🥦 Steamed vegetables
• 🌽 Corn
• 🧄 Garlic bread

A cold glass of water or your favorite non-alcoholic drink makes a refreshing accompaniment. 🥤

📜 A Little History

There is an important distinction between Hungarian goulash and what many Americans call goulash.

Traditional Hungarian goulash, or gulyás, developed as a Hungarian meat stew and is strongly associated with paprika and Hungarian culinary traditions. 🇭🇺

American-style goulash evolved into a different kind of comfort food. It commonly combines ground beef, tomatoes, macaroni, onions, and seasonings in one pot. Over generations, families developed their own versions, adding ingredients such as cheese, peppers, Worcestershire sauce, or different herbs.

So this recipe is best thought of as old-fashioned American-style goulash, rather than traditional Hungarian goulash. 🍲❤️

💪 Benefits

This meal can offer several nutritional advantages when enjoyed as part of a balanced diet:

• 🥩 Ground beef provides protein, iron, zinc, and vitamin B12.
• 🍅 Tomatoes provide vitamin C and the antioxidant lycopene.
• 🧅 Onions and garlic add flavor along with various plant compounds.
• 🍝 Pasta provides carbohydrates, which are an important source of energy.
• 🥣 Beef broth contributes flavor and some nutrients, although the amount varies by product.
• 🫑 Bell peppers, if added, provide additional vitamin C and other nutrients.
• 🧀 Cheese adds protein and calcium.

For a lighter version, use lean ground beef, whole-wheat pasta, and add extra vegetables. 🥦🫑🥕

❤️ For Goulash Lovers

If you’re a lover of cozy, old-fashioned food, this recipe is hard to resist. 😍🍲

The combination of savory beef, sweet onions, fragrant garlic, rich tomato sauce, tender macaroni, and melted cheese creates a meal that is hearty without being complicated.

It is perfect for:

• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family dinners
• 🥶 Cold evenings
• 🏡 Cozy weekends at home
• 🍱 Leftovers for lunch
• 🎉 Casual gatherings
• 👵 Recreating nostalgic family meals

And honestly? Yes, I would eat this. 😂🍲❤️

🔥 Tips for the Best Goulash

• Don’t rush the onion and garlic; allowing them to soften builds flavor.
• Stir the pasta regularly while it cooks.
• Don’t overcook the macaroni—it should be tender but not mushy.
• Taste before adding lots of salt because beef broth and tomato sauce can already contain sodium.
• Let the finished goulash rest for 5 minutesbefore serving. This helps the sauce thicken.
• Add cheese at the end for an extra comforting finish. 🧀😍

🧊 Storage and Leftovers

Allow leftovers to cool and refrigerate them promptly in a covered container.

The goulash generally keeps well in the refrigerator for several days. When reheating, add a small splash of water or beef broth if the pasta has absorbed too much sauce.

It can also be portioned into individual containers for convenient lunches. 🍱❤️

🏆 Conclusion

Old-fashioned goulash is proof that you don’t need complicated ingredients to make a satisfying meal. 🥰🍲

With just ground beef, onion, garlic, tomatoes, tomato sauce, beef broth, and pasta, you can create a warm and filling dish that tastes homemade and comforting.

Whether you’re making it for your family, cooking a nostalgic meal from childhood, or simply looking for an easy one-pot dinner, this goulash deserves a place at the table. ❤️🍝

One pot, simple ingredients, big flavor, happy people! 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦🍲✨