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American Goulash Recipe
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5 from 12 votes

American Goulash Recipe

American-style goulash is a comforting dish of ground beef and noodles simmered in a zesty tomato sauce, different from Hungarian goulash, so easy to make! Plus, you can easily spice it up!
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time40 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: ground beef, noodles, paprika, tomatoes
Servings: 8
Calories: 413kcal
Author: Mike Hultquist

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 medium onion diced
  • 1 large green bell pepper diced (use 2-3 jalapeno peppers for a spicier version)
  • 1.5 pounds ground beef
  • 4 garlic cloves minced
  • 2 tablespoons Italian seasoning blend or use 2 teaspoons dried basil, 2 teaspoons oregano, 1 teaspoon rosemary, and 1 teaspoon thyme
  • 1 tablespoon paprika I use hot paprika
  • 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes optional, for spicy – use more as desired
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 4 15-ounce cans fire roasted tomatoes or use canned diced tomatoes
  • 3 cups beef broth
  • 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 bay leaf
  • Hot sauce to taste (optional, for spicy)
  • 2 cups macaroni noodles uncooked (elbow macaroni)
  • 1 cup cheddar cheese shredded (or more to taste. Optional - you can use other melty cheeses if preferred)

Instructions

  • Heat the oil in a large pot or Dutch oven to medium heat. Add the onion and peppers and cook 3-4 minutes to soften.
  • Add the ground beef and break apart with a wooden spoon. Cook for 5 minutes, until browned and mostly cooked through.
  • Add the garlic, Italian seasonings, paprika, red pepper flakes (if using) and salt and pepper to taste. Cook 1 minute, stirring, until the garlic becomes fragrant and the spices bloom.
  • Add the roasted tomatoes, beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, and bay leaf, and salt and pepper. Also add optional hot sauce, if using. Stir to combine.
  • Cover and simmer 20 minutes to let the flavors develop.
  • Stir in the macaroni noodles and simmer, uncovered, stirring occasionally for 20 minutes, or until the noodles are softened to your liking.
  • For a cheesy version, stir in cheese and cook until nicely melted through, 2-3 minutes.

Nutrition

Calories: 413kcal | Carbohydrates: 25g | Protein: 23g | Fat: 24g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 10g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 75mg | Sodium: 548mg | Potassium: 474mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 729IU | Vitamin C: 14mg | Calcium: 161mg | Iron: 3mg