Description
Classic American Goulash is a comforting one-pot dish featuring tender macaroni simmered in a savory tomato and ground beef sauce, enhanced with garlic, red pepper, and a blend of Italian seasonings. Topped with melted cheddar cheese, this hearty meal is perfect for a satisfying family dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 2 pounds lean ground beef
- 3–4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup red pepper, diced
- 1 (28 ounces) can diced tomatoes
- 1 can condensed tomato soup
- 1 (680 ml) can tomato sauce
- 1 1/2 tablespoons Italian seasoning
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1/2 tablespoon seasoning salt
- 1–2 tablespoons white sugar (add until desired sweetness is met)
- 2 1/2 cups dry macaroni
- 2 cups shredded medium or old cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Cook the Ground Beef: In a large stock pot over medium heat, fry the ground beef until fully cooked, breaking it up into crumbles. Once browned, drain the excess fat from the pot.
- Sauté Garlic and Red Pepper: Add the minced garlic to the pot and cook until fragrant and slightly browned. If using, add the diced red pepper and sauté for a few minutes until tender.
- Add Remaining Ingredients: Pour in the diced tomatoes, condensed tomato soup, tomato sauce, Italian seasoning, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, seasoning salt, and white sugar. Stir everything well and bring the mixture to a low boil.
- Add Macaroni: Stir in the dry macaroni noodles thoroughly to combine with the sauce.
- Simmer: Cover the pot, reduce the heat to low, and let it simmer for 20-25 minutes until the macaroni is tender. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking to the bottom of the pot.
- Serve: Remove from heat and sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese generously on top before serving.
Notes
- Adjust sugar quantity to balance the acidity from the tomatoes; add gradually and taste as you go.
- Stir occasionally during simmering to prevent macaroni from sticking.
- This dish can be customized with additional vegetables or spices according to preference.
- Using lean ground beef reduces fat content without sacrificing flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 1 cup)
- Calories: 480 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg
