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Easy Goulash (American Style) Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 130 reviews

This easy American-style goulash is a comforting one-pot meal featuring ground beef, elbow macaroni, and a flavorful tomato-based sauce with Italian seasoning. Perfect for a quick and hearty dinner, it combines tender pasta with a rich, savory sauce and melted cheddar cheese, optionally garnished with fresh parsley.

Ingredients

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Main Ingredients

  • ¾ pound ground beef (alternatively ground turkey, chicken, pork, veal, or bison can be used)
  • ½ yellow onion, diced
  • 2 cups low sodium beef broth (or chicken or vegetable broth)
  • 14.5 ounces diced tomatoes (1 can)
  • 1 cup marinara sauce (store-bought or homemade)
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar (optional, for a sweeter sauce)
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning (store-bought or homemade)
  • 2 teaspoons low-sodium soy sauce
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon ground paprika
  • ½ teaspoon seasoned salt, or to taste
  • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper, or to taste
  • 1 cup dry elbow macaroni (any short or tubular pasta works)
  • ½ cup freshly shredded sharp cheddar cheese (optional)
  • Chopped fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Cook the meat and onion: In a Dutch oven, cook the ground beef and diced onion together over medium heat until the onion softens and the meat is browned and cooked through, approximately 3-5 minutes.
  2. Drain grease: Carefully drain any excess grease from the cooked meat and onion mixture to prevent a greasy sauce.
  3. Add liquids and seasonings: Pour in the beef broth, marinara sauce, diced tomatoes, and add the bay leaf, Italian seasoning, soy sauce, garlic powder, paprika, seasoned salt, and black pepper. Stir well to combine and bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat.
  4. Simmer the sauce: Reduce heat to medium-low, cover the Dutch oven, and let the mixture simmer gently for 5 to 10 minutes to meld the flavors together.
  5. Cook the pasta: Add the dry elbow macaroni to the simmering sauce, cover again, and cook, stirring occasionally, until the pasta becomes tender, about 12-15 minutes. Be careful not to overcook.
  6. Finish seasoning: Remove and discard the bay leaf. Taste and adjust seasonings if needed to suit your preference.
  7. Melt cheese (optional): Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese. If your Dutch oven is oven-safe, you may place it in a preheated oven to melt and lightly brown the cheese for a few minutes.
  8. Garnish and serve: Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the dish for a fresh, colorful touch before serving.

Notes

  • You can substitute ground beef with other ground meats like turkey, chicken, pork, veal, or bison.
  • Adjust the brown sugar amount or omit it depending on your preference for sweetness in the sauce.
  • Use low-sodium broth and soy sauce to control the overall saltiness of the dish.
  • For a vegetarian version, omit the meat and use vegetable broth, increasing the amount of vegetables.
  • Ensure to stir occasionally when simmering pasta to prevent sticking to the bottom of the pot.
  • If you prefer a thicker sauce, simmer uncovered for the last few minutes to reduce liquid.

Keywords: goulash, American goulash, ground beef recipe, one-pot meal, comfort food, pasta with meat sauce, easy dinner

Find it online: https://tastygenius.com/easy-goulash-american-style-recipe/