Description
Hungarian classic Southern Goulash brings hearty comfort to dinner tables with rich beef and paprika-infused flavors. Robust ingredients meld together, creating a soul-warming meal you’ll savor with each delicious spoonful.
Ingredients
- 1 lb (454 g) ground beef
- 1 lb (454 g) ground turkey
- 2 cups elbow macaroni (uncooked)
- 1 15 oz (425 g) can diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1 15 oz (425 g) can tomato sauce
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 cup water
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 1 medium green bell pepper, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ¼ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional)
Instructions
- Meat Preparation: Sizzle ground beef in a large pot over medium-high heat, methodically breaking down the meat until uniformly browned. Drain excess fat completely to ensure a lean, flavorful base.
- Vegetable Incorporation: Introduce onions and bell peppers to the beef, sautéing until they become translucent and release their aromatic essence. Integrate spices including paprika, garlic powder, salt, black pepper, and a hint of cayenne to create a vibrant flavor profile.
- Sauce Development: Pour tomato sauce and diced tomatoes into the pot, stirring thoroughly to create a harmonious, rich sauce. Allow the mixture to simmer gently, allowing flavors to meld and intensify.
- Pasta Integration: Add elbow macaroni to the pot, coating each piece completely with the savory sauce. Cover and simmer until pasta reaches perfect al dente texture, absorbing the robust seasonings and creating a cohesive one-pot meal.
- Finishing Touch: Optional cheese garnish provides a creamy, indulgent layer that transforms the goulash into a decadent Southern comfort classic.
Notes
Choose Lean Meat: Select ground beef with lower fat content (90/10 or 93/7) to reduce excess grease and create a healthier version of the classic dish.
Control Spice Intensity: Adjust cayenne pepper according to personal heat tolerance, starting with a pinch and gradually increasing for those who enjoy bolder flavors.
Pasta Cooking Technique: Avoid overcooking macaroni by checking texture periodically; aim for al dente consistency to prevent mushy pasta that loses its delightful texture.
Cheese Melting Hack: Allow hot goulash to rest for 2-3 minutes after adding cheese, enabling it to melt smoothly and create a perfect creamy coating without becoming oily or separated.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Southern American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg