Description
Hungarian Goulash, a classic comfort dish from Hungary, combines tender beef, paprika-rich sauce, and root vegetables in one pot. Robust flavors and simple ingredients make this traditional stew perfect for cold evenings you’ll want to savor.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Protein:
- 2 pounds (907 grams) lean ground beef
- 3 teaspoons (15 milliliters) garlic, minced
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 1 cup (150 grams) onion, diced
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 3 bay leaves
Sauce and Seasonings:
- 2 (15 ounces/425 grams) cans tomato sauce
- 2 (15 ounces/425 grams) cans petite diced tomatoes
- 3 cups (710 milliliters) beef broth
- 3 tablespoons (45 milliliters) Worcestershire sauce
- 2 teaspoons (10 milliliters) seasoned salt
- 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) Italian seasoning
- 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) olive oil
Pasta and Cheese:
- 2 cups (224 grams) uncooked macaroni noodles
- 1 cup (113 grams) cheddar cheese, shredded
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-high temperature. Sauté diced onions, bell peppers, and ground beef until meat turns completely brown and vegetables soften, approximately 6-7 minutes.
- Eliminate excess fat from the pot. Return to heat and introduce minced garlic, stirring quickly for 30 seconds to release aromatic flavors.
- Incorporate tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, seasoned salt, Italian seasoning, and bay leaves. Mix thoroughly to create a robust, well-blended base.
- Add uncooked macaroni noodles directly into the liquid mixture. Elevate heat to achieve a rolling boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer. Stir intermittently to prevent pasta from sticking, cooking for 18-22 minutes until pasta reaches perfect tenderness.
- Extract bay leaves from the pot. Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese across the surface, allowing it to melt slightly before serving. Dish out immediately while piping hot for maximum flavor enjoyment.
Notes
- Drain excess fat thoroughly to prevent a greasy dish and ensure a cleaner, healthier meal.
- Choose lean ground beef (90/10 or 93/7) to reduce fat content without sacrificing flavor.
- Experiment with gluten-free macaroni or whole wheat pasta for alternative dietary needs.
- Fresh herbs like parsley or thyme can elevate the goulash’s depth and brightness when sprinkled on top before serving.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Hungarian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg