American Goulash

This time of year we crave an easy one-pot meal that is both hearty and comforting. Our recipe uses a twist that I learned from my Mom.

Why We Love This Recipe

One-pot meals are a lifesaver on those busy evenings when you need to get something delicious on the table quickly. This goulash recipe delivers on every level – from easy-to-make, to comforting, hearty, and easy to clean up.

It is also perfect for a large family or for leftovers because this recipe makes a lot of beefy tomatoey deliciousness.

Ingredients

• Lean Ground Beef
• Macaroni Noodles
• Tomato Sauce
• 3 Small cans of V8 Juice – this is my Mom’s secret ingredient! In fact, I’ve never had goulash made without it. V8 juice is a super savory tomato juice made with carrots, celery, parsley, and spices. It adds all of the spice flavor needed in this recipe without having to add extra spices.
• Onion
• Bell Pepper
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• Parmesan Cheese Rind – this is my (other) secret ingredient! I keep parmesan cheese rinds in my freezer and use them in tomato-based sauces. You can substitute it with finely grated parmesan cheese.
• Paprika – I recommend using sweet paprika for this recipe. It adds a sweet pepper note to the goulash.
• Worcestershire Sauce – (not shown in photo) this adds another layer of savory flavor.
• Salt and Black Pepper – go heavy-handed on the pepper because it adds the lift of spiciness without making this a hot spicy meal.

Let’s Make American Goulash

1. Cook elbow macaroni to al dente according to the package directions, drain and set it aside.
2. Dice the onion and green bell pepper.
3. In a large skillet or soup pot, heat the olive oil on medium-high.
4. Add the diced onion and green bell pepper, reduce the heat to low, and sweat them for 5 minutes.
5. Turn the heat back up to medium-high and add the ground beef. Cook it until it’s browned. Drain off any excess fat.
6. Add tomato sauce, V8 juice, paprika, Worchestershire sauce, salt, and pepper.
7. Add cooked macaroni noodles.
8. Turn the heat to low and simmer for 15 minutes.

Krazy Kitchen Mom Tips

• Use the traditional V8 juice for this recipe. The only substitution I recommend is using the low-sodium V8 if you are on a low-sodium diet.
• Be sure to use sweet paprika and not spicy paprika.
• Taste the recipe before serving and add extra pepper if needed. I like this best with lots of ground black pepper.
• Serve the goulash with crusty bread and a side salad for a complete meal.

More KKM Family-Favorite Recipes

• Loaded Vegetable Chicken Tetrazzini
• Creamy Lemon Pasta
• Slow Cooker Cashew Chicken
• Italian Sausage and White Bean Soup