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Old Fashioned Goulash

A comforting old fashioned goulash, cheesy and hearty, made with elbow macaroni, ground beef, and a flavorful tomato sauce—a perfect nostalgic dinner.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 520
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Pasta
  • 2 cups elbow macaroni, uncooked Small shells or ditalini can be substituted.
Meat
  • 1.5 pounds ground beef Can substitute with ground turkey or chicken.
Vegetables
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
Sauces and Spices
  • 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 can (15 ounces) tomato sauce
  • 1 can (14.5 ounces) petite diced tomatoes
  • 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
  • Salt and black pepper to taste Salt and black pepper, to taste
Cheese
  • 1.5 cups shredded cheddar cheese Can substitute with mozzarella or pepper jack.

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. In a large pot, bring water to a rolling boil, add salt, and cook the elbow macaroni for about 3 minutes less than the package directions suggest. Drain and set aside.
Cooking
  1. In a large oven-safe skillet, heat over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and onion, browning for 6-7 minutes until beef is no longer pink and onion is soft. Drain excess fat.
  2. Stir in minced garlic, cooking for one minute until fragrant. Add Worcestershire sauce, tomato sauce, and petite diced tomatoes, stirring until combined.
  3. Season with Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper to taste. Fold in the drained macaroni and half of the shredded cheddar cheese, mixing well.
  4. Sprinkle remaining cheddar on top and cover with foil. Bake for 20-25 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbling.
  5. Let the goulash rest for about 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

For best flavor, let the goulash rest after baking. Adjust seasoning before baking for perfect taste.