Description

A comforting and hearty Old-Fashioned Goulash recipe that combines ground beef, tender elbow macaroni, and a rich tomato-based sauce seasoned with Italian herbs and Worcestershire sauce. This classic stovetop dish is quick to prepare, perfect for a family dinner, and can be topped with melted cheddar cheese and fresh parsley for extra flavor.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

1 lb ground beef (or ground turkey for a leaner option)
1 small onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 bell pepper, diced (optional)

Tomato and Broth

1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes
1 (6 oz) can tomato paste
1 (8 oz) can tomato sauce
2 cups beef broth (or vegetable broth)

Seasonings and Pasta

1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
1 teaspoon paprika (optional)
Salt and pepper, to taste
1 1/2 cups elbow macaroni (or any small pasta)

Optional Toppings

1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional for topping)
Fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Brown the Meat: In a large pot or Dutch oven, cook the ground beef over medium heat until browned, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks. Drain any excess fat if necessary to avoid greasiness.
Sauté Vegetables: Add the diced onion, minced garlic, and diced bell pepper (if using) to the pot. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until the vegetables soften and become fragrant.
Add Tomato Base and Seasonings: Stir in the diced tomatoes, tomato paste, tomato sauce, beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, Italian seasoning, paprika (if using), salt, and pepper. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for about 10 minutes to meld the flavors together.
Cook Pasta in Sauce: Add the elbow macaroni to the pot and stir well to combine. Cover the pot and simmer for 12-15 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent the pasta from sticking, until the pasta is tender and has absorbed some of the sauce.
Melt Cheese (Optional): If you prefer cheesy goulash, sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese over the top of the dish and cover the pot for a few minutes to allow the cheese to melt thoroughly.
Garnish and Serve: Garnish with freshly chopped parsley if desired, then serve the goulash hot for a comforting meal.

Notes

For a leaner dish, substitute ground turkey for ground beef.
Bell pepper is optional; you can omit or substitute with other vegetables like mushrooms.
Use vegetable broth to make the recipe vegetarian if ground turkey or beef is replaced.
The paprika adds a slight smoky flavor but can be omitted if unavailable.
Cheese topping is optional but adds a creamy, rich layer of flavor.
Stir occasionally when simmering the pasta to prevent burning or sticking.