Goulash Recipe
Goulash is a comforting dish that brings together hearty ingredients in a rich, flavorful sauce. The combination of ground beef, tomatoes, and pasta creates a one-pot meal that’s perfect for family dinners, meal prep, or cozy nights at home. With its simple, pantry-friendly ingredients, goulash is an easy recipe to whip up, yet it delivers a deep, satisfying taste that feels like a warm hug in every bite.
Ingredients Overview
The backbone of this recipe is lean ground beef, which adds a savory richness without making the dish too heavy. Worcestershire sauce plays a key role in enhancing the depth of flavor, offering a subtle tangy and savory element that complements the tomatoes and beef perfectly. Cheddar cheese, added just before serving, melts into the dish, bringing a creamy finish that ties all the flavors together.
Staples like canned tomato sauce and petite diced tomatoes provide the tomato base, giving the dish its vibrant color and juicy texture. The beef broth helps to create a rich, hearty sauce that the macaroni noodles will absorb as they cook, ensuring every bite is packed with flavor. Italian seasoning, garlic, and bay leaves add aromatic layers, while seasoned salt keeps the flavor profile balanced.
Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions
To start, heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Once the oil shimmers, add diced onion, bell pepper, and ground beef, stirring frequently to ensure even browning. The key to achieving deep flavor in this step is allowing the beef to develop a nice sear before breaking it up too much—this will help lock in that savory goodness. Once the beef is no longer pink, drain any excess fat from the pot, then return it to the stovetop.
Next, stir in the garlic. Allow the garlic to cook for about 30 seconds, just long enough for its fragrance to bloom, but not so long that it burns. Immediately after, pour in the tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, seasoned salt, Italian seasoning, and bay leaves. Stir well to combine.
The uncooked macaroni is added directly to the pot, which not only simplifies the cooking process but also ensures that the pasta absorbs all the wonderful flavors from the sauce as it cooks. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to a gentle simmer. Stir occasionally, making sure the pasta doesn’t stick to the bottom of the pot, and cook for about 20 minutes or until the pasta is tender.
Once the pasta is cooked through and the sauce has thickened, remove the bay leaves and stir in the shredded cheddar cheese. The cheese melts into the sauce, giving the dish a creamy, indulgent texture. Serve hot and enjoy the comforting flavors of this easy goulash.
Recipe Tips
How to make the dish ahead of time and store it:
Goulash can easily be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When reheating, add a splash of broth or water to bring back the sauce’s smooth consistency.
Suggestions for swapping out macaroni with other pasta types:
While macaroni is a classic choice, feel free to experiment with other pasta shapes like rotini, shells, or penne. Just ensure the pasta cooks to al dente, as you don’t want it to become mushy.
Tips on adjusting the seasoning based on taste:
Taste as you go! If you prefer more heat, you can add a pinch of red pepper flakes. For a more herbaceous flavor, increase the amount of Italian seasoning or add fresh herbs like parsley or basil.
How to ensure the pasta doesn’t overcook:
Keep an eye on the pasta as it cooks and stir frequently. You want the pasta to cook just until tender, as it will continue to soften slightly in the residual heat after cooking.
What to Serve with This Recipe
Goulash is a versatile dish that pairs well with various sides. Serve it with a crusty loaf of garlic bread, perfect for sopping up the rich sauce. A fresh green salad, lightly dressed with a lemon vinaigrette, provides a refreshing contrast to the hearty pasta. For those who love a complete meal, roasted vegetables like carrots, zucchini, or Brussels sprouts make a perfect side dish.
If you prefer a beverage pairing, opt for a light red wine, like a Pinot Noir, which complements the beef and tomato flavors without overpowering the dish. For non-alcoholic options, iced tea or a crisp sparkling water with a slice of lemon will balance the richness of the goulash.
Variations and Substitutions
There are endless ways to customize this goulash recipe to suit your preferences:
Vegetarian option:
Simply swap out the ground beef for a plant-based alternative or a combination of diced mushrooms and lentils. These ingredients mimic the texture of meat while keeping the dish hearty and satisfying.
Cheese alternatives:
While cheddar adds a sharp, creamy finish, you can try other cheeses like mozzarella for a milder flavor or gouda for a smoky twist.
Worcestershire sauce alternatives: If you don’t have Worcestershire sauce on hand, soy sauce or tamari works as an excellent substitute, offering a similar umami boost.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I freeze goulash for later?
Yes, goulash freezes beautifully. Allow it to cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. It can be frozen for up to 3 months. When ready to serve, thaw in the refrigerator overnight and reheat on the stovetop, adding a bit of broth or water to loosen the sauce.
How do I prevent the pasta from becoming too mushy?
The key is to keep an eye on the pasta as it cooks. Remove the pot from the heat once the pasta reaches al dente. If you’re planning to reheat the dish later, slightly undercook the pasta so it maintains a firm texture upon reheating.
What can I do if I don’t have Worcestershire sauce on hand?
Soy sauce or tamari makes an excellent substitute. You can also mix a tablespoon of soy sauce with a teaspoon of vinegar to mimic the tangy, savory flavor of Worcestershire sauce.
Can I add more vegetables or change up the ingredients?
Absolutely! Feel free to add diced zucchini, carrots, or even spinach to the dish for added nutrients and texture. You can also swap out the ground beef for turkey, chicken, or even sausage to give the dish a different flavor profile.
This goulash recipe is a simple, yet delicious, one-pot meal that’s perfect for any occasion. Whether you’re feeding a crowd or preparing a weeknight dinner, the bold flavors and comforting textures make it a standout dish. The versatility of the ingredients allows for endless variations, making it easy to adapt to your preferences. Try it out and let the warmth and richness of this goulash recipe bring comfort to your table.
Ingredients
2 lbs. lean ground beef
1 tbsp olive oil
1 cup diced onion
1 green bell pepper, diced
3 tsp minced garlic
2 cans (15 oz each) tomato sauce
2 cans (15 oz each) petite diced tomatoes
3 cups beef broth
3 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
2 tsp seasoned salt
2 tbsp Italian seasoning
3 bay leaves
2 cups uncooked macaroni noodles
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
Heat a large pot over medium-high heat and add the olive oil. Once the oil is hot, toss in the diced onion, bell pepper, and ground beef. Cook, stirring frequently, until the beef is browned and fully cooked through. Drain any excess fat, then return the pot to the heat. Stir in the garlic and let it cook for about 30 seconds, just until fragrant.
Next, pour in the tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, seasoned salt, Italian seasoning, bay leaves, and uncooked macaroni. Stir everything together well and bring the mixture to a boil. Once it reaches a boil, lower the heat to maintain a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally. Cook for about 20 minutes or until the pasta is tender.
Once done, remove the bay leaves and mix in the shredded cheddar cheese. Serve hot and enjoy!
Goulash Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 lbs. lean ground beef
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 cup diced onion
- 1 green bell pepper diced
- 3 tsp minced garlic
- 2 cans 15 oz each tomato sauce
- 2 cans 15 oz each petite diced tomatoes
- 3 cups beef broth
- 3 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tsp seasoned salt
- 2 tbsp Italian seasoning
- 3 bay leaves
- 2 cups uncooked macaroni noodles
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Heat a large pot over medium-high heat and add the olive oil. Once the oil is hot, toss in the diced onion, bell pepper, and ground beef. Cook, stirring frequently, until the beef is browned and fully cooked through. Drain any excess fat, then return the pot to the heat. Stir in the garlic and let it cook for about 30 seconds, just until fragrant.
- Next, pour in the tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, seasoned salt, Italian seasoning, bay leaves, and uncooked macaroni. Stir everything together well and bring the mixture to a boil. Once it reaches a boil, lower the heat to maintain a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally. Cook for about 20 minutes or until the pasta is tender.
- Once done, remove the bay leaves and mix in the shredded cheddar cheese. Serve hot and enjoy!