# Simple Goulash Recipe: A Warm One-Pot Dish
This simple goulash recipe is a tasty meal that comes together swiftly, making it ideal for hectic weeknights. With ingredients you probably have available, this cozy dish includes ground beef and elbow macaroni cooked in a hearty tomato sauce, resulting in a warm one-pot creation that everyone in the family will enjoy.
## Flavor Profile
– **Hearty and Flavorful**: The blend of ground beef, tomato sauce, and spices produces a familiar taste that many households love.
– **Beloved Family Classic**: This dish is frequently linked to home-cooked dinners and family celebrations.
## Skill Level
This recipe is perfect for novice cooks or anyone seeking an uncomplicated comfort food option. It’s simple and requires basic cooking skills, making it approachable for everyone.
## Ingredient Alternatives
Feel free to modify the recipe by swapping in different ingredients:
– **Meat Choices**: Substitute ground chicken or turkey for beef for a lighter choice.
– **Pasta Options**: While elbow macaroni is the standard, you can try other small pasta types like small shells, bowties, or ditalini.
## Simple Ingredients
1. **Ground Beef**: Opt for lean ground beef; it’s fine to use slightly more or less than the amount stated. Alternatives are Italian sausage, ground chicken, or turkey.
2. **Pasta**: American goulash generally features pasta rather than potatoes. Elbow macaroni is favored, but any small pasta shape works.
3. **Tomato Sauce**: Use store-bought tomato sauce or homemade marinara. Incorporating canned diced tomatoes improves texture and extends the meal.
4. **Seasoning**: Spice up the sauce with onion, garlic, Italian seasoning, and a bay leaf. To save time, consider using minced garlic from a jar and dehydrated or frozen diced onions.
### Additional Flavor Suggestions
– Add chopped celery or red bell pepper to the meat sauce for enhanced flavor.
– Mix in Worcestershire sauce and a pinch of chili flakes for a flavor enhancement.
– Expand the meal with extra pasta (and water) or a drained can of beans.
– Garnish with Parmesan cheese or serve alongside cheddar cheese or sour cream.
## Next Day Goulash
– **Refrigerator**: Leftover goulash can be kept in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat on the stove or in the microwave.
– **Freezer**: Freeze cooled portions in zippered bags for as long as 4 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.
## Cooking Directions
1. In a Dutch oven or large skillet with a lid, brown the ground beef, onion, and garlic over medium-high heat until fully cooked. Drain excess fat.
2. Stir in the marinara sauce, broth, diced tomatoes with their juices, tomato paste, bell pepper (if using), Italian seasoning, bay leaf, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
3. Add the elbow macaroni, lower the heat to medium-low, cover, and let it simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
4. Uncover and simmer for another 5 to 10 minutes or until the pasta becomes tender.
5. Discard the bay leaf. If desired, add cheese on top and reseal with the lid. Allow it to rest for about 5 minutes or until the pasta has thickened and the cheese has melted.
## Nutritional Information
– **Serving Size**: 2 cups
– **Calories**: 315
– **Carbohydrates**: 29g
– **Protein**: 17g
– **Fat**: 15g
– **Fiber**: 3g
This simple goulash recipe is not only tasty but also a wonderful way to gather the family for a comforting meal. Savor the rich tastes and the ease of this one-pot creation!