Description
Old-Fashioned Goulash is a comforting and hearty one-pot dish featuring browned ground beef or turkey simmered with tomato sauce, seasoned with Italian and adobo spices, and combined with tender elbow macaroni. Finished with a blend of melted cheddar and mozzarella cheeses, this classic American goulash is perfect for a family-friendly, satisfying 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. Once browned, set the meat aside temporarily.
- Sauté the Aromatics: In the same pan, add olive oil if needed. Sauté minced garlic and diced onion until they become soft and fragrant, approximately 5 minutes.
- Combine Meat and Liquids: Return the browned meat to the pan with the sautéed aromatics. Stir in water, beef broth, tomato sauce, and diced tomatoes to create the base.
- Add Seasonings: Add Italian seasoning, adobo seasoning, bay leaves, seasoned salt, and black pepper. Stir all ingredients thoroughly to combine well.
- Simmer the Sauce: Cover the skillet and allow the mixture to simmer over medium-low heat for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking and melding flavors.
- Cook the Pasta: Stir in the uncooked elbow macaroni. Cover again and simmer for an additional 30 minutes, or until the pasta is tender, stirring periodically.
- Remove Bay Leaves: Once the pasta is cooked, carefully remove and discard the bay leaves from the dish.
- Melt Cheddar Cheese: Stir in shredded cheddar cheese into the hot goulash until it melts fully, enriching the dish with cheesy flavor.
- Add Mozzarella Cheese: Just before serving, sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese over the top of the goulash and allow it to melt slightly for added creaminess and texture.
- Serve and Enjoy: Ladle the warm goulash into bowls and serve immediately for a hearty and flavorful meal experience.
Notes
- This recipe can be made with either ground beef or ground turkey depending on your preference for flavor and fat content.
- For a spicier variation, consider adding crushed red pepper flakes with the seasonings.
- Ensure to stir occasionally during simmering to prevent pasta from sticking to the bottom of the pan.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated on the stovetop or microwave.
- You can substitute elbow macaroni with other small pasta shapes like shells or rotini if preferred.
