Description
This easy American goulash combines seasoned ground beef, tender macaroni, tomatoes, bell pepper, and melted cheddar in one pot. It makes a hearty family dinner in only 35 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 cup onion, diced
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 2 pounds lean ground beef
- 3 teaspoons garlic, minced
- 2 cans tomato sauce, 15 ounces each
- 2 cans petite diced tomatoes, 15 ounces each
- 3 cups beef broth
- 3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 2 teaspoons seasoned salt
- 2 tablespoons Italian seasoning
- 3 bay leaves
- 2 cups elbow macaroni, uncooked
- 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat.
- Add the diced onion, green bell pepper, and ground beef. Cook for 6 to 8 minutes, breaking the beef into crumbles, until the meat is no longer pink and the vegetables begin to soften.
- Drain the excess grease, then return the pot to the stove.
- Add the minced garlic and stir for about 30 seconds, just until fragrant.
- Pour in the tomato sauce, petite diced tomatoes, beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, seasoned salt, Italian seasoning, and bay leaves.
- Add the uncooked macaroni and stir until everything is evenly combined.
- Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to maintain a gentle boil.
- Cook uncovered for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the macaroni becomes tender and the sauce thickens.
- Remove and discard all three bay leaves.
- Remove the pot from direct heat, stir in the shredded cheddar until melted, and serve hot.
Notes
- Drain excessive grease after browning the beef so the finished sauce does not feel oily.
- Stir the pot more frequently near the end of cooking because the sauce thickens as the macaroni releases starch.
- Add a small splash of beef broth if the sauce becomes too thick before the pasta turns tender.
- Freshly shredded cheddar melts more smoothly than packaged shredded cheese.
- Store cooled leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Add a splash of broth or water before reheating because the pasta continues absorbing sauce during storage.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 388
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 918
- Fat: 24
- Saturated Fat: 10
- Unsaturated Fat: 13
- Trans Fat: 1
- Carbohydrates: 20
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 22
- Cholesterol: 76