Description
Hungarian goulash brings robust comfort to your table with its rich, hearty blend of tender beef, paprika-infused sauce, and classic European flavors. Warm spices and slow-simmered meat create a soul-satisfying meal you’ll crave on chilly evenings.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat:
- 1 pound (1 lb) ground beef
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional)
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Pantry and Liquid Ingredients:
- 1 15-ounce (15 oz) can tomato sauce
- 1 14.5-ounce (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes
- 1 1/2 cups elbow macaroni, uncooked
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 teaspoon (1 tsp) Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon (1 tsp) Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon (1/2 tsp) paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Brown ground beef in a large pot over medium heat, carefully draining any accumulated fat to ensure a lean base for the goulash.
- Incorporate diced onions and minced garlic, sautéing until the vegetables become translucent and release their aromatic flavors.
- Pour in tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, beef broth, and season with Worcestershire sauce, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and black pepper, creating a robust and flavorful liquid foundation.
- Elevate the mixture to a rolling boil, then immediately reduce heat and allow the sauce to gently simmer for 10 minutes, enabling the spices to meld and intensify.
- Introduce uncooked elbow macaroni directly into the simmering sauce, covering the pot and continuing to cook for 10-12 minutes until the pasta reaches perfect al dente tenderness.
- Optional: Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over the goulash, stirring until the cheese melts completely and creates a creamy, luxurious texture.
- Remove from heat and let the goulash rest for 2-3 minutes to allow flavors to settle, then serve piping hot with a garnish of fresh parsley if desired.
Notes
- Drain beef thoroughly to prevent excess grease, which can make the dish heavy and oily.
- Use lean ground beef (90/10) for a healthier version without compromising rich flavor.
- Fresh herbs like chopped parsley can elevate the final presentation and add bright, fresh notes to the classic comfort dish.
- For gluten-free adaptation, swap regular elbow macaroni with gluten-free pasta and ensure all other ingredients are certified gluten-free.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Hungarian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 324 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 540 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 26 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg