Growing up in the Midwest, I have a few vivid memories of goulash. It was a weeknight dinner recipe that my friend’s parents made, and I remember having it at their house when I was sleeping over. If you’ve never had American goulash, it’s sort of like a thicker, stew-like homemade Hamburger Helper. It’s flavorful, rustic and very comforting.
My understanding is that Hungarian goulash is not all that different, but this is recipe is the American version I’ve had growing up. It’s easy to make and can be customized to your family’s preferences.
Related: Next up, try Hamburger Soup, Stuffed Peppers or Tater Tot Casserole.
Ingredients
- Olive oil
- Onion
- Carrots
- Garlic
- Ground beef
- Crushed tomatoes
- Diced tomatoes
- Chicken stock
- Worcestershire sauce
- Italian seasoning
- Macaroni noodles
- Cheese – mozzarella or cheddar
- Chives or parsley
Directions
Chop up the onion and carrots. Mince the garlic. In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat and cook the onions, carrots, and garlic until softened (2-3 minutes).
Remove from the pot. Then, in the same pot, cook the ground beef until no pink remains. Then add the vegetables back in.
Add the crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, chicken stock, Worcestershire sauce and Italian seasoning. Bring this mixture to a low boil. Add the noodles and cook until al dente, around 10 minutes, with the pot covered.
Check the noodles and if done taste the goulash and add any salt and pepper you feel it needs. Turn the heat off and stir in the shredded cheese. Top with a few chopped fresh chives or parsley just before serving.
Tips and Substitutions
- You could easily swap the ground beef with another ground meat like turkey or chicken to lighten this recipe up some.
- If you want to add some spice or heat, add a 1/4 teaspoon or more of cayenne or red pepper flakes.
- You can use other noodle shapes beyond elbow macaroni. However, it may change the cook time as you’ll want the noodles to cook in the stock to al dente. Check the package directions for cook times.
- You can store leftover goulash in an airtight container in the refrigerator for at least 3 days. Rewarm on the stove top or in the microwave.
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A hearty and comforting stew similar to homemade Hamburger Helper
Instructions
-
Chop up the onion and carrots. Mince the garlic.
-
In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat and cook the onions, carrots, and garlic until softened (2-3 minutes). Remove from the pot.
-
Then, in the same pot, cook the ground beef until no pink remains.
-
Then add the vegetables back in.
-
Add the crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, chicken stock, Worcestershire sauce and Italian seasoning. Bring this mixture to a low boil.
-
Add the noodles and cook until al dente, around 10 minutes, with the pot covered.
-
Check the noodles and if done taste the goulash and add any salt and pepper you feel it needs.
-
Turn the heat off and stir in the shredded cheese. Top with a few chopped fresh chives or parsley just before serving.
Notes
If you want to add some spice or heat, add a 1/4 teaspoon or more of cayenne or red pepper flakes.
You can use other noodle shapes beyond elbow macaroni. However, it may change the cook time as you’ll want the noodles to cook in the stock to al dente. Check the package directions for cook times.
You can store leftover goulash in an airtight container in the refrigerator for at least 3 days. Rewarm on the stove top or in the microwave.
Nutrition
Nutrition Facts
Goulash
Amount per Serving
% Daily Value*
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Notice: Nutrition is auto-calculated, using Spoonacular, for your convenience. Where relevant, we recommend using your own nutrition calculations.
