Description
This American Goulash recipe is a comforting one-pot dish featuring tender ground beef, vegetables, and macaroni simmered together in a rich tomato sauce. Perfect for a hearty family meal, it’s easy to prepare and combines classic flavors with a satisfying pasta base.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Vegetables
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 lb lean ground beef (90/10)
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 1 carrot, grated
- 1 celery stick, finely chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
Seasonings and Sauces
- 2 tsp fine sea salt (or to taste)
- 1 tsp dried oregano leaves
- 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper (or to taste)
- 1/4 tsp granulated sugar (or more to taste)
- 28 oz crushed tomatoes
- 2 Tbsp tomato paste
- 1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
Liquids and Pasta
- 2 cups chicken stock
- 1 cup water plus more as needed for cooking
- 2 cups macaroni pasta (10 oz, or any small pasta you prefer)
Cheese
- 1/4 cup parmesan cheese, freshly grated (plus more to serve)
Instructions
- Brown the Beef: Set a heavy pot or 5 1/2 Qt Dutch oven over medium/high heat and add 1 Tbsp olive oil. Add ground beef to the hot pot and break it up with a spatula for 1 minute to start browning.
- Sauté Vegetables: Add grated carrot, finely chopped onion, celery, and minced garlic to the pot. Stir and cook until the vegetables are softened, about 5 minutes. Season the mixture with salt, oregano, black pepper, and sugar, stirring well to combine all flavors.
- Simmer the Sauce: Pour in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, chicken stock, and 1 cup of water. Bring the sauce to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover the pot, and let it simmer gently for 20 minutes to develop flavor.
- Cook Macaroni in Sauce: Add the macaroni pasta to the pot and stir to combine. Maintain a low simmer, cover, and cook for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent the pasta from sticking. Add additional hot water in 1/4 cup increments as needed if the mixture seems dry; the dish should remain moist and saucy.
- Finish and Serve: Stir in freshly grated parmesan cheese. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if necessary. Serve hot with extra parmesan cheese on the side for sprinkling.
Notes
- Ensure to stir the pasta occasionally after adding to prevent sticking to the bottom.
- Adjust salt, pepper, and sugar to your taste preference to balance acidity from the tomatoes.
- You can substitute ground beef with ground turkey or a plant-based alternative if desired.
- Use any small pasta shape if macaroni is unavailable.
- For a richer flavor, consider using homemade chicken stock.
