Description
Hungarian Old Fashioned Goulash melds hearty beef, paprika-rich sauce, and tender vegetables in a classic comfort dish. Rich flavors showcase traditional Central European culinary heritage, inviting you to savor authentic Hungarian cuisine.
Ingredients
- 1 lb (450 g) ground beef
- 2 cups (200 g) uncooked elbow macaroni
- 1 can (15 oz / 425 g) tomato sauce
- 1 can (14.5 oz / 411 g) diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1 ½ cups (360 ml) beef broth
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp salt (adjust to taste)
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 1 cup (100 g) shredded cheddar cheese (optional, for topping)
- Chopped parsley (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Meat Preparation: Heat a Dutch oven over medium flame, adding ground beef to sear and caramelize while breaking it apart with a cooking utensil until deep brown.
- Fat Management: Drain excess fat, leaving a thin layer for enhanced flavor development.
- Aromatic Foundation: Add diced onions and minced garlic, stirring to create a fragrant base that infuses the meat with rich, savory notes.
- Liquid Integration: Pour tomato sauce and diced tomatoes, creating a robust liquid foundation that will bind the dish’s complex flavors.
- Seasoning Layer: Sprinkle Hungarian paprika, salt, and black pepper, gently folding to distribute spices evenly and awaken their distinctive taste profiles.
- Simmering Process: Let the mixture simmer uncovered, allowing ingredients to meld and intensify, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching.
- Pasta Incorporation: Add uncooked elbow macaroni directly into the simmering sauce, enabling the pasta to absorb the seasoned liquid and achieve perfect tenderness.
- Final Refinement: Continue cooking until pasta reaches al dente consistency and sauce thickens to a luxurious, comforting texture.
- Serving Preparation: Remove from heat and let goulash rest briefly, allowing flavors to consolidate before serving in warm bowls.
Notes
Optimize Meat Browning: Create deep flavor by ensuring ground beef caramelizes thoroughly without overcrowding the pan, allowing proper Maillard reaction for rich taste development.
Select High-Quality Paprika: Use authentic Hungarian paprika for genuine flavor profile, preferring sweet or mild varieties to capture traditional goulash essence without overwhelming spiciness.
Control Liquid Absorption: Monitor pasta cooking carefully, adding small amounts of water if sauce becomes too thick, ensuring macaroni cooks evenly and absorbs maximum flavor without becoming mushy.
Dairy-Free Modification: Replace traditional dairy-based garnishes with dairy-free alternatives like nutritional yeast or vegan cheese shreds for lactose-intolerant or plant-based diet preferences, maintaining creamy texture and flavor complexity.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Hungarian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 408
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 24 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg