Description
This classic goulash recipe is a hearty and meaty dish, easy to prepare on the stovetop or in a slow cooker. Inspired by Paula Deen's Bobby's Goulash, it features lean ground beef, tender elbow macaroni, and a flavorful tomato-based sauce enhanced with Italian herbs and soy sauce, making it a comforting meal perfect for family dinners.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 large yellow onion, chopped
- 2 pounds lean ground beef
- 3 cloves garlic, chopped
Tomato Sauce Mixture
- 3 cups water
- 2 (15 ounce) cans tomato sauce
- 2 (14.5 ounce) cans diced tomatoes
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons dried Italian herb seasoning
- 1 tablespoon seasoned salt, or to taste
- 3 bay leaves
Pasta
- 2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni
Instructions
- Gather Ingredients: Collect all ingredients and have them ready for use.
- Sauté Onions: Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add chopped onion and cook for 3 minutes, stirring often until softened.
- Brown Ground Beef: Add lean ground beef to the onions, cook while breaking up the meat until evenly browned, about 5 minutes. Then add chopped garlic and cook for another 3 minutes, stirring frequently to avoid burning.
- Add Sauce Ingredients and Simmer: Stir in water, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, soy sauce, Italian seasoning, seasoned salt, and bay leaves. Bring the mixture to a simmer, then cover and cook for 5 minutes, stirring halfway through to blend flavors.
- Cook Pasta in Sauce: Stir in the uncooked elbow macaroni, cover, and simmer over medium heat for 11 to 13 minutes, or until pasta is tender, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Finish and Serve: Remove from heat, discard the bay leaves, and serve hot.
- Slow Cooker Option: After browning the beef and onion mixture (step 3), transfer to a preheated slow cooker on High. Add water, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, soy sauce, Italian seasoning, seasoned salt, bay leaves, and uncooked macaroni. Stir well and cook on High for 1 hour, until pasta is tender and flavors meld.
Notes
- For best flavor, use lean ground beef to reduce excess grease.
- You can adjust the seasoned salt to taste or substitute with regular salt.
- Stir occasionally when cooking macaroni in the sauce to prevent it from sticking to the bottom of the pot.
- The slow cooker method is ideal if you prefer a hands-off cooking approach.
- Removing bay leaves before serving is important as they can be tough and sharp.
- This dish pairs well with crusty bread or a simple green salad.
