🍲 Hearty One-Pot American Goulash ❤️🇺🇸
The ultimate comfort food — tender beef, pasta, and melty cheese all simmered in a rich tomato sauce! A quick and cozy one-pan dinner that’s perfect for busy nights or meal prep.
⏱ Prep: 10 min | Cook: 25–30 min | Total: ~35–40 min
🍴 Serves: 4–6
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🛒 Ingredients
2 Tbsp olive oil
1 yellow onion, diced
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 bell peppers, diced (any color)
2 lb lean ground beef
2 heaping Tbsp tomato paste
½ cup red wine (or extra broth)
1 (28 oz) can diced tomatoes
1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce
2 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
2 bay leaves
1 tsp paprika
1½ Tbsp Italian seasoning
¼ tsp red pepper flakes
Salt & black pepper to taste
2 cups broth (beef or chicken)
2 cups elbow macaroni
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
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👩🍳 Instructions
1️⃣ Sauté Aromatics
Heat olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add onion, garlic, and bell peppers. Sauté 3–5 minutes until softened.
2️⃣ Brown the Beef
Add ground beef and cook 5–7 minutes, breaking it up as it browns.
3️⃣ Deglaze & Simmer
Stir in tomato paste and cook 1 minute. Add red wine to deglaze the pan; simmer 1 minute.
4️⃣ Build the Sauce
Add diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, Worcestershire, bay leaves, paprika, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes. Stir well and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer 8–10 minutes.
5️⃣ Cook the Pasta
Uncover, add broth and macaroni, stir well, and bring back to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer 7–10 minutes, stirring often, until pasta is al dente and most liquid is absorbed.
6️⃣ Add Cheese & Finish
Remove from heat. Stir in half the cheddar cheese, then sprinkle the rest on top. Let it melt before serving. Garnish with chopped parsley or chives if desired.
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🛍 Walmart Shopping List
Meat:
Lean ground beef (2 lb)
Produce:
Yellow onion
Bell peppers (2)
Garlic cloves (4)
Fresh parsley or chives
Pantry:
Olive oil
Tomato paste (1 small can)
Diced tomatoes (28 oz can)
Tomato sauce (15 oz can)
Worcestershire sauce
Red wine (optional)
Elbow macaroni
Italian seasoning
Paprika
Red pepper flakes
Bay leaves
Salt & pepper
Broth (2 cups)
Dairy:
Shredded cheddar cheese (2 cups)
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American Goulash is a timeless comfort food beloved in many American households due to its hearty ingredients and simple preparation. This one-pot meal is not only delicious but also highly versatile for family dinners or meal prepping. Using lean ground beef combined with a flavorful tomato-based sauce and pasta, this classic dish highlights a perfect balance of protein, carbs, and rich flavors. The recipe uses common pantry staples like tomato paste, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and Italian seasoning to build a robust sauce full of depth. Adding a splash of red wine or extra broth to deglaze the pan enhances the savory notes and tenderizes the beef. The inclusion of bell peppers and onions adds sweetness and texture, making the dish more nutritious and colorful. Cooking everything in one pot not only saves time and cleanup but also allows the flavors to meld beautifully. The elbow macaroni cooks directly in the sauce, absorbing all its richness while remaining perfectly al dente. Topping the dish off with shredded cheddar cheese gives it a creamy, indulgent finish that melts into every bite. For those looking to customize, this recipe adapts well to substitutions such as turkey or plant-based ground meat alternatives, gluten-free pasta options, or varying the vegetables with zucchini or mushrooms. The spices like paprika and red pepper flakes can be adjusted for desired heat levels. This American goulash recipe also fits well into meal planning by storing leftovers conveniently for quick lunches or reheated dinners. Garnishing with fresh parsley or chives adds a bright, fresh note to balance the hearty richness. In summary, this easy one-pot American goulash offers a comforting, flavorful, and practical meal solution, perfect for anyone seeking a satisfying dinner without complicated steps or excessive cooking time.