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Old-Fashioned Goulash (Easy, Hearty & Budget-Friendly)

A cozy one-pot American goulash made with ground beef, elbow macaroni, and a rich tomato sauce. Hearty, simple, and perfect for family dinners.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 410

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 1 onion diced
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 15 oz tomato sauce
  • 15 oz diced tomatoes undrained
  • 1 tbsp tomato paste
  • 2 cups beef broth or water
  • 1.5 cups elbow macaroni uncooked
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 0.5 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • 1 tsp paprika optional
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese optional
  • fresh parsley for garnish

Equipment

  • Dutch oven or large pot
  • Wooden spoon
  • Measuring cups and spoons

Method
 

  1. Brown ground beef in a large pot; drain excess grease.
  2. Add diced onion and garlic; cook until softened.
  3. Stir in tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, broth, and seasonings. Simmer for 10 minutes.
  4. Add elbow macaroni; cover and simmer until pasta is tender.
  5. Stir in cheese (if using), garnish with parsley, and serve warm.

Notes

For extra flavor, use smoked paprika or add diced bell peppers. Leftovers taste even better the next day!