Description
Hungarian goulash weaves comfort and tradition into a hearty one-pot marvel of tender beef, paprika-kissed sauce, and rustic vegetables. Simmered slowly with love, this classic dish invites travelers to savor Central European culinary warmth with each deeply satisfying spoonful.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 2 pounds (907 grams) ground beef or turkey
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 1 large yellow onion, diced
- 3 teaspoons minced garlic
Liquid and Seasonings:
- 2 ½ cups (590 milliliters) water
- ½ cup (118 milliliters) beef broth
- ⅓ cup (79 milliliters) olive oil
- 2 (15-ounce) cans (850 grams) tomato sauce
- 2 (15-ounce) cans (850 grams) diced tomatoes
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 tablespoon Adobo seasoning
- 3 bay leaves
- 1 tablespoon seasoned salt
- ½ tablespoon black pepper
Pasta and Cheese:
- 2 cups (180 grams) elbow macaroni, uncooked
- 1 cup (100 grams) shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup (50 grams) shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Heat a spacious skillet over medium-high temperature and transform the ground meat into a partially cooked state, ensuring it develops a rich, golden exterior.
- Introduce fragrant garlic and crisp onions to the partially cooked meat, drizzling olive oil to enhance the sautéing process and complete the meat’s browning.
- Cascade water, robust beef broth, tangy tomato sauce, and chunky diced tomatoes into the skillet, followed by a harmonious blend of Italian seasoning, Adobo seasoning, aromatic bay leaves, seasoned salt, and freshly ground black pepper.
- Reduce the flame to a gentle simmer, cover the skillet, and allow the mixture to meld its flavors for approximately 20 minutes, periodically stirring to prevent sticking.
- Gently fold uncooked elbow macaroni into the simmering mixture, ensuring each pasta piece is thoroughly coated with the savory sauce.
- Continue simmering, covered, for an additional 30 minutes until the pasta reaches a tender, al dente consistency.
- Discard the bay leaves, then fold creamy cheddar cheese throughout the goulash, creating a rich, velvety texture.
- Sprinkle mozzarella on top just before serving, allowing it to melt into irresistible, stringy perfection.
Notes
- Prepare ground meat at medium-high heat, ensuring it’s half-cooked before adding other ingredients for optimal flavor development.
- Garlic and onions create a robust base, enhancing the overall taste profile of this hearty one-pan meal.
- Seasoning blend includes multiple spices that complement each other, creating a rich and complex flavor experience.
- Pasta cooks directly in the sauce, absorbing all the delicious liquid and eliminating the need for separate pasta preparation.
- Bay leaves add depth and should be removed before serving to prevent accidentally biting into them.
- Cheese melting technique ensures a creamy, luxurious finish that elevates the entire dish’s texture and taste.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Hungarian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 24 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg