Old Fashioned American Goulash

Introduction

Old Fashioned Goulash is a classic, comforting one-pot meal made with ground beef, tender elbow macaroni, tomatoes, and savory seasonings simmered together into a rich, hearty dish. This American-style goulash (also called “American Chop Suey”) is easy, budget-friendly, and perfect for family dinners, meal prep, or cozy weeknights. Serve it with crusty bread or a simple green salad for a complete meal.

Ingredients

Main Ingredients:

• 1 lb (450g) ground beef
• 1 small onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 green bell pepper, diced (optional)
• 2 ½ cups beef broth or water
• 1 (15 oz) can diced tomatoes
• 1 (8 oz) can tomato sauce
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 2 cups elbow macaroni (uncooked)

Seasonings:

• 1 tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• ½ tsp chili flakes (optional)
• 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce

Optional Add-Ins:

• ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese (for cheesy goulash)
• 1 tbsp chopped parsley for garnish

Instructions

Step 1 — Brown the Beef

In a large pot or Dutch oven, cook ground beef over medium heat until browned. Drain excess grease if needed.

Step 2 — Sauté Aromatics

Add diced onion, garlic, and bell pepper. Cook for 3–4 minutes until softened and fragrant.

Step 3 — Add Tomatoes & Seasoning

Stir in diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, paprika, and Italian seasoning.

Step 4 — Add Broth & Pasta

Pour in beef broth and bring to a gentle simmer. Add uncooked elbow macaroni and stir well.

Step 5 — Simmer

Cover and cook for 12–15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is tender and sauce has thickened.

Step 6 — Optional Cheese Finish

If you like cheesy goulash, stir in shredded cheddar until melted.

Step 7 — Serve

Let rest 5 minutes, garnish with parsley, and serve with crusty bread.

Tips for Best Results

• Use lean ground beef to avoid greasy sauce.
• If it becomes too thick, add ½ cup warm broth.
• For extra flavor, add a bay leaf while simmering (remove before serving).
• For a smoky twist, add ½ tsp smoked paprika.

FAQs

1. What is Old Fashioned Goulash?
It’s an American comfort dish made with ground beef, macaroni, and tomato-based sauce.

2. Is this the same as Hungarian goulash?
No — Hungarian goulash is a beef stew with paprika, while this is a pasta dish.

3. Can I make this gluten-free?
Yes — use gluten-free macaroni.

4. Can I make it vegetarian?
Use crumbled tofu or plant-based ground instead of beef.

5. What goes well with goulash?
Garlic bread, cornbread, or a side salad.