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
Scale
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.
