Here’s a classic American Goulash recipe — the cozy, one-pot dinner you’ll see in many U.S. homes and school cafeterias. (This is not Hungarian goulash; it’s the American comfort-food version.)
🍲 American Goulash (Old-Fashioned)
🛒 Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups elbow macaroni (uncooked)
- 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
- 2 cups beef broth or water
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1½ tsp paprika
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp salt (adjust to taste)
- ½ tsp black pepper
- Optional: 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
🔥 Instructions
- Brown the beef
In a large pot or Dutch oven, cook ground beef over medium heat until browned. Drain excess fat. - Add aromatics
Stir in onion and cook 3–4 minutes until soft. Add garlic and cook 30 seconds. - Build the sauce
Add tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, broth, Worcestershire sauce, paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Stir well. - Add pasta
Stir in uncooked macaroni. Bring to a gentle boil. - Simmer
Reduce heat, cover, and simmer 12–15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is tender and sauce thickens. - Optional cheese
Turn off heat and stir in shredded cheddar until melted.
⭐ Tips for School-Style Goulash
- Use more macaroni (2½ cups) for a thicker, cafeteria-style version
- Keep seasoning mild — American goulash isn’t spicy
- Let it sit 5 minutes before serving to thicken
🧊 Storage
- Refrigerates well for 3–4 days
- Freezes great for up to 3 months
If you want, I can give you:
- School cafeteria goulash
- Slow cooker version
- Cheesy baked goulash
- Hamburger Helper–style
Just tell me 🙂
