Description
This Old-Fashioned Goulash is a hearty, comforting one-pot meal featuring ground beef or turkey, elbow macaroni, and a rich tomato sauce infused with Italian and adobo seasonings. Slow simmered to meld flavors, topped with melted cheddar and mozzarella cheeses for a satisfying, cheesy finish, it’s perfect for family dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Aromatics
- 2 lbs ground beef or turkey
- 3 teaspoons minced garlic
- 1 large yellow onion, diced
Liquids and Sauces
- 2 ½ cups water
- ½ cup beef broth
- â…“ cup olive oil
- 2 (15-ounce) cans tomato sauce
- 2 (15-ounce) cans diced tomatoes
Seasonings
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 tablespoon adobo seasoning
- 3 bay leaves
- 1 tablespoon seasoned salt
- ½ tablespoon black pepper
Pasta and Cheese
- 2 cups elbow macaroni, uncooked
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Brown the Meat: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef or turkey until it is halfway cooked. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Sauté Aromatics: In the same skillet, add olive oil if necessary. Sauté minced garlic and diced onion until they become soft and fragrant, about 5 minutes.
- Combine Meat and Liquids: Return the browned meat to the skillet with the aromatics. Stir in water, beef broth, tomato sauce, and diced tomatoes.
- Add Seasonings: Add Italian seasoning, adobo seasoning, bay leaves, seasoned salt, and black pepper. Stir everything together thoroughly to distribute the flavors.
- Simmer the Sauce: Cover the skillet and let the mixture simmer over medium-low heat for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.
- Cook the Pasta: Stir in the uncooked elbow macaroni, cover again, and continue simmering for an additional 30 minutes or until the pasta is tender and has absorbed the sauce flavors.
- Remove Bay Leaves: Carefully remove the bay leaves from the skillet and discard.
- Add Cheddar Cheese: Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese until thoroughly melted and incorporated into the mixture.
- Top with Mozzarella: Just before serving, sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the goulash and allow it to melt slightly with the residual heat.
- Serve and Enjoy: Ladle the warm, cheesy goulash into bowls and serve immediately for a comforting, satisfying meal.
Notes
- For a leaner option, substitute ground turkey for beef.
- You can adjust the seasoning quantities to your preference, especially the adobo seasoning for spiciness.
- If the mixture becomes too thick while simmering, add a little more water or beef broth to maintain desired consistency.
- Make sure to stir occasionally to prevent macaroni from sticking to the skillet bottom.
- This dish reheats well and can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
