🍲 **American goulash
American goulash is a hearty, one-pot comfort food made with ground beef, pasta, tomatoes, and seasonings. It’s easy to make, kid-friendly, and perfect for a weeknight dinner. Unlike Hungarian goulash, it’s tomato-based and usually includes elbow macaroni.
🧾 Ingredients (6 servings)
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce
- 2 cups beef broth
- 2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning or oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional)
- Chopped parsley for garnish (optional)
👩‍🍳 Instructions
- Cook the beef
- In a large skillet or pot, brown ground beef with onion and garlic. Drain excess fat.
- Add liquids & seasonings
- Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, beef broth, paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Bring to a simmer.
- Cook the pasta
- Add uncooked elbow macaroni. Cover and simmer 15–20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is tender and sauce thickens.
- Add cheese & serve
- Stir in shredded cheddar, if using. Serve hot, garnished with parsley if desired.
🍴 Tips & Variations
- Vegetable boost: Add bell peppers, corn, or mushrooms.
- Spicy twist: Add crushed red pepper or hot sauce.
- Cheesy version: Stir in more cheese for extra creaminess.
- Make-ahead: Goulash reheats well and often tastes even better the next day.
If you want, I can also make a “classic diner-style American goulash” recipe that’s extra cheesy, perfectly saucy, and super flavorful—just like what you’d get in family restaurants.
