The Best Goulash Recipe
A hearty and comforting classic American goulash featuring ground beef, elbow macaroni, and a flavorful tomato-based sauce with a hint of cumin and fresh cilantro. This one-pan skillet meal is easy to prepare, perfect for satisfying weeknight dinners.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb. Ground beef
- 1 C. Uncooked elbow macaroni
- 1 Onion, chopped
- 28 oz. Diced tomatoes, undrained
- ⅔ C. Frozen corn
- 8 oz. Tomato sauce
- 4 oz. Can diced green chilis
- ½ tsp. Cumin
- ¼ tsp. Salt
- ½ tsp. Black pepper
- ¼ C. Chopped fresh cilantro
Instructions
- Cook the Macaroni: Boil the elbow macaroni in salted water until it is done to your liking. Once cooked, rinse the macaroni with cold water to stop the cooking process and drain completely.
- Brown the Beef and Onions: In a large skillet, add the ground beef and chopped onion over medium-high heat. Cook until the beef is browned and the onions have softened, about 5-7 minutes. Drain any excess grease from the skillet to reduce fat content.
- Add Vegetables and Seasoning: Reduce the heat to medium and stir in the diced tomatoes (with juice), frozen corn, tomato sauce, diced green chilis, salt, black pepper, and cumin. Stir well to combine all ingredients evenly.
- Simmer the Mixture: Bring the skillet contents to a boil, then immediately lower the heat to a simmer. Let it cook uncovered for 10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the mixture to thicken slightly.
- Combine Macaroni and Cilantro: Stir the drained elbow macaroni and chopped fresh cilantro into the skillet mixture. Mix thoroughly to coat the pasta evenly with the sauce and herbs.
- Serve: Once everything is heated through, serve the goulash warm, optionally garnished with extra cilantro if desired. Enjoy your comforting meal!
Notes
- Draining excess grease after browning the beef reduces fat and calories.
- Rinsing the macaroni prevents it from sticking together in the finished dish.
- For a spicier version, add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes or hot sauce.
- Fresh cilantro adds brightness, but it can be substituted with parsley if preferred.
- This recipe can be doubled easily for larger gatherings.
- Leftovers keep well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and can be reheated on the stovetop or microwave.
Keywords: goulash, ground beef goulash, American goulash, one-pot meal, easy dinner, comforting skillet meal, elbow macaroni recipe
Find it online: https://kitchenbyrita.com/the-best-goulash-recipe/
