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If you’ve been craving a comforting, hearty meal that feels like a warm hug from the South, then you absolutely must try this Southern Style Goulash Recipe. It’s a delightful blend of ground beef, tender elbow macaroni, and a rich, tomato-based sauce bursting with just the right balance of herbs and spices. Perfect for family dinners or casual gatherings, this dish is simplicity at its finest, delivering big, satisfying flavors that are sure to become a household favorite.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of this Southern Style Goulash Recipe lies in its straightforward ingredients. Each one plays a pivotal role in building layers of flavor, texture, and color that come together in pure harmony.
- 1 pound ground beef: The hearty protein base that gives the dish its savory richness.
- 2 cups elbow macaroni, uncooked: Classic pasta shape that holds onto the sauce perfectly.
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes: Adds fresh, tangy brightness and pieces of juicy tomato.
- 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce: Creates a smooth, velvety tomato foundation for the goulash.
- 1 medium onion, chopped: Brings sweetness and depth when sautéed.
- 2 cloves garlic, minced: Provides an aromatic kick that wakes up the taste buds.
- 1 teaspoon paprika: Offers a subtle smoky warmth to the sauce.
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning: A blend of herbs that rounds out the flavor profile beautifully.
- 1 teaspoon salt: Essential seasoning to balance and enhance all ingredients.
- ½ teaspoon black pepper: Adds a gentle peppery bite.
- 1 optional bay leaf: Infuses a delicate earthy note while simmering.
- 1 tablespoon optional Worcestershire sauce: Gives an extra layer of umami depth if you’d like to take the flavor up a notch.
How to Make Southern Style Goulash Recipe
Step 1: Brown the Ground Beef
Start by heating a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the pound of ground beef and cook it until it is no longer pink, breaking it up as it cooks to ensure even browning. Once browned, drain any excess fat—this keeps the dish from becoming greasy and lets the other flavors shine through.
Step 2: Sauté Onion and Garlic
Next, toss in your chopped onion and minced garlic right into the pot with the beef. Sauté for around 3 to 4 minutes until the onion is softened and the kitchen fills with that irresistible aroma. This step builds the foundational flavor base that makes the goulash so comforting and tasty.
Step 3: Add Tomatoes and Seasonings
Now it’s time to pour in the diced tomatoes along with their juices and the tomato sauce. Sprinkle in the paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. If you’re feeling adventurous, add the optional bay leaf and Worcestershire sauce for extra complexity. Stir everything together and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer to marry all those delicious flavors.
Step 4: Simmer the Sauce
Allow the sauce to simmer uncovered for 15 to 20 minutes. This simmering process reduces and thickens the sauce while intensifying the taste. Patience here really pays off as the ingredients meld into a luscious, rich base that will coat every pasta bite perfectly.
Step 5: Cook the Elbow Macaroni
While the sauce is doing its magic, cook your elbow macaroni in a separate pot according to package instructions but aim to get them just al dente. This ensures your pasta holds its shape and doesn’t get mushy once combined with the sauce.
Step 6: Combine Pasta with Sauce
Remove the bay leaf from the simmered sauce (if you used one), then fold in the cooked macaroni. Let the goulash simmer together for another 3 to 5 minutes so every piece of pasta soaks up all those wonderful flavors, creating a unified, mouthwatering dish.
Step 7: Final Touches
Serve your Southern Style Goulash Recipe piping hot. For an extra burst of color and flavor, sprinkle freshly chopped parsley or a handful of shredded cheese over the top. This finishing touch adds freshness and a creamy contrast that will have everyone asking for seconds.
How to Serve Southern Style Goulash Recipe
Garnishes
Simple garnishes like chopped fresh parsley or shredded sharp cheddar cheese bring brightness and a delightful visual pop to this dish. If you’re feeling fancy, a dollop of sour cream or sliced green onions can add another level of creaminess and crunch.
Side Dishes
This goulash is wonderful on its own, but pairing it with a crisp green salad or buttered cornbread rounds out the meal beautifully. These sides add lightness and texture contrast to complement the rich, saucy pasta.
Creative Ways to Present
For a family gathering or potluck, serve your goulash in individual ramekins topped with cheese and broiled until golden and bubbly. Another fun idea is to stuff cooked bell peppers with the goulash for a colorful, hearty presentation that’s sure to impress.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Transfer leftover goulash to an airtight container and refrigerate. It will stay fresh for up to 3 to 4 days, making it a great option for quick lunches or dinner the next day.
Freezing
You can freeze the Southern Style Goulash Recipe for up to 2 months. Just cool it completely, place it in a freezer-safe container or heavy-duty bag, and thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Reheating
Reheat leftovers gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. If the sauce has thickened too much, add a splash of water or broth to loosen it up. You can also microwave individual portions, covered, stirring halfway through to ensure even heating.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of pasta in this recipe?
Absolutely! While elbow macaroni is traditional and holds the sauce well, you can use other short pasta shapes like penne, rotini, or shells depending on your preference or what you have on hand.
Is it possible to make this Southern Style Goulash Recipe vegetarian?
Yes, just swap the ground beef for plant-based crumbles or sautéed mushrooms for a meaty texture. You can also add beans or lentils for extra protein and fiber without losing any heartiness.
Can I add cheese into the goulash itself?
Definitely! Stir in shredded cheddar or mozzarella right at the end of the cooking process to melt it throughout, creating a creamy, cheesy goulash that’s simply irresistible.
How spicy is this goulash?
This recipe has a mild warmth thanks to the paprika and black pepper, making it family-friendly. If you like a bit more heat, consider adding a pinch of cayenne pepper or some hot sauce to your taste.
What’s the best way to thicken the sauce if it’s too runny?
Letting the sauce simmer uncovered longer will naturally thicken it. Alternatively, stirring in a small amount of tomato paste or a cornstarch slurry can help achieve the perfect consistency quickly.
Final Thoughts
There is something so comforting and soul-satisfying about this Southern Style Goulash Recipe. It’s straightforward to make, uses simple pantry staples, and brings a wonderfully tasty meal to the table that everyone will love. Once you try it, it’s bound to become one of your go-to dishes for busy weeknights or cozy weekend dinners. So grab your pot and dive into this Southern delight—you won’t regret it!
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Southern Style Goulash Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Southern American
Description
This Southern Style Goulash is a hearty, comforting one-pot meal featuring ground beef, elbow macaroni, and a flavorful tomato-based sauce seasoned with paprika and Italian herbs. Perfect for family dinners, this classic dish combines tender pasta with rich, savory beef and a slightly tangy tomato sauce, simmered to perfection in just 40 minutes.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 2 cups elbow macaroni, uncooked
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
- 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Seasonings
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 optional bay leaf
- 1 tablespoon optional Worcestershire sauce
Instructions
- Brown the beef: In a large pot or Dutch oven, cook the ground beef over medium heat until no longer pink. Drain any excess fat to keep the dish lean and flavorful.
- Sauté aromatics: Add chopped onion and minced garlic to the pot with the beef. Sauté for 3–4 minutes until fragrant and softened, which enhances the flavor base of the sauce.
- Add tomatoes and seasonings: Stir in diced tomatoes (with their juices), tomato sauce, paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and optional bay leaf or Worcestershire sauce. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer to meld the flavors.
- Simmer the sauce: Let the sauce simmer uncovered for 15–20 minutes, allowing it to thicken slightly and develop a richer taste.
- Cook the pasta: While the sauce simmers, cook the elbow macaroni in a separate pot until just al dente. Drain well to prevent overcooking when combined with the sauce.
- Combine pasta and sauce: Remove the bay leaf from the sauce. Stir the cooked macaroni into the sauce, then let everything simmer together for an additional 3–5 minutes so the flavors meld thoroughly.
- Serve: Serve the goulash hot. Optionally garnish with fresh parsley or shredded cheese to add freshness or richness as desired.
Notes
- Drain the ground beef well to reduce excess grease and keep the dish from becoming too oily.
- Adjust seasoning to taste before adding the macaroni, especially salt and pepper.
- Cooking the pasta al dente prevents it from getting mushy after simmering in the sauce.
- Optional garnishes like shredded cheddar or Parmesan cheese add extra flavor.
- For a spicier kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes.
