Description
Craving a hearty, satisfying dinner that’s quick to make and guaranteed to please the whole family? This Old Fashioned Goulash is your answer. Packed with tender elbow macaroni, flavorful ground beef, and a savory tomato-based sauce, it’s the ultimate easy dinner idea. Whether you’re after a quick weeknight meal, a comforting lunch, or food ideas for meal prep, this dish delivers big on flavor with minimal effort. It’s a classic recipe that fits perfectly into your collection of healthy snacks, easy recipes, and dinner ideas for any day of the week.
Ingredients
1 pound ground beef
2 cups elbow macaroni
1 medium onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 green bell pepper, diced
1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, with juice
1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
2 cups beef broth
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon paprika
1 bay leaf (optional)
Instructions
1. In a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat, cook the ground beef until no longer pink.
2. Add chopped onion, garlic, and bell pepper to the beef. Sauté until onions are translucent and peppers soften, about 5–7 minutes.
3. Stir in diced tomatoes (with juice), tomato sauce, beef broth, salt, pepper, and paprika. Add bay leaf if using.
4. Bring mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 15–20 minutes.
5. Meanwhile, cook macaroni separately in salted water until just under al dente. Drain.
6. Stir the cooked macaroni into the simmered sauce and let it cook together for 5 minutes.
7. Remove bay leaf, if used.
8. Serve hot with your favorite sides or toppings.
Notes
Slightly undercook the pasta before adding it to the sauce to avoid mushy texture.
If you prefer a thicker consistency, let the goulash sit for 5–10 minutes off heat before serving.
For a deeper flavor, add a dash of Worcestershire sauce or Italian seasoning during the simmer.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 410
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 690mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
Keywords: quick dinner, old fashioned goulash, beef goulash, easy pasta recipe, one pot meal