Description
Old-Fashioned Goulash is a comforting one-pot American classic combining browned ground beef or turkey with savory tomatoes, Italian and adobo seasonings, and tender elbow macaroni. This hearty, cheesy dish simmers gently on the stovetop, melding flavors and perfect for a family-friendly, filling meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Aromatics
- 2 lbs ground beef or turkey
- 3 teaspoons minced garlic
- 1 large yellow onion, diced
Liquids and Sauces
- 2 ½ cups water
- ½ cup beef broth
- â…“ cup olive oil
- 2 (15-ounce) cans tomato sauce
- 2 (15-ounce) cans diced tomatoes
Seasonings
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 tablespoon adobo seasoning
- 3 bay leaves
- 1 tablespoon seasoned salt
- ½ tablespoon black pepper
Pasta and Cheese
- 2 cups elbow macaroni, uncooked
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Brown the Meat: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef or turkey until browned and halfway cooked. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté Aromatics: In the same pan, add olive oil if needed. Sauté minced garlic and diced onion until soft and fragrant, about 5 minutes.
- Combine Ingredients: Return the cooked meat to the pan. Stir in water, beef broth, tomato sauce, and diced tomatoes. Add Italian seasoning, adobo seasoning, bay leaves, seasoned salt, and black pepper. Stir well to combine all ingredients.
- Simmer the Sauce: Cover the skillet and simmer over medium-low heat for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally to blend flavors and prevent sticking.
- Add the Pasta: Stir in the uncooked elbow macaroni, cover again, and simmer for 30 minutes or until the pasta is tender, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Remove Bay Leaves: Take out the bay leaves from the pot and discard.
- Incorporate Cheddar Cheese: Stir in shredded cheddar cheese until it melts thoroughly into the goulash, creating a creamy texture.
- Melt Mozzarella Cheese: Just before serving, sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese over the top and let it melt slightly for a gooey, cheesy finish.
- Serve: Ladle the hot goulash into bowls and enjoy this warm, hearty, and satisfying meal!
Notes
- For a leaner option, use ground turkey instead of beef.
- Adjust seasoning to taste, especially the adobo and seasoned salt for sodium preferences.
- If the goulash becomes too thick during simmering, add a splash of water or broth to loosen consistency.
- Feel free to add vegetables like bell peppers or mushrooms to increase nutrition and flavor.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop or microwave.
