Description
Cheesy Beef Goulash is a comforting one-pot meal featuring seasoned ground beef simmered in a rich tomato sauce with aromatic herbs, combined with tender elbow macaroni, and topped with melted cheddar and Parmesan cheese for a hearty and satisfying dish perfect for family dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Vegetables
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Tomato and Seasonings
- 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes
- 1 (6 oz) can tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon tomato sauce or ketchup
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
Pasta and Cheese
- 2 cups elbow macaroni (or any pasta of choice)
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Others
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (for cooking)
Instructions
- Cook the ground beef: Heat a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add olive oil and cook ground beef, breaking it apart, until browned and fully cooked, about 5-7 minutes.
- Sauté onion and garlic: Add chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet with the beef. Sauté for 2-3 minutes until the onion is soft and fragrant.
- Add tomatoes and seasonings: Stir in diced tomatoes, tomato paste, tomato sauce (or ketchup), basil, oregano, paprika, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, allowing the flavors to meld together.
- Cook the pasta: Meanwhile, cook pasta according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- Combine pasta with sauce: Once the beef sauce mixture is ready, add cooked pasta to the skillet and stir to combine. Reduce heat to low.
- Add cheese and melt: Sprinkle shredded cheddar and Parmesan cheese over the top of the goulash. Cover with a lid and cook for 5 minutes, or until cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Serve: Serve hot, garnished with additional Parmesan cheese if desired.
Notes
- Use any type of short pasta if elbow macaroni is unavailable, such as penne or rotini.
- For extra flavor, add a splash of red wine or Worcestershire sauce while simmering the sauce.
- To make it spicier, include crushed red pepper flakes along with other seasonings.
- Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and can be reheated in the microwave or on the stovetop.
- For a lower-fat version, use lean ground beef or substitute with ground turkey.
