Description
This easy one-pot American goulash is a cozy, budget-friendly dinner made with ground beef, pasta, tomatoes, and warm spices. Everything simmers together in one pot for a quick, flavorful family meal with minimal cleanup!
Ingredients
1 lb ground beef
1 small onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
2½ cups beef broth
1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
1½ cups elbow macaroni (uncooked)
1 tsp Italian seasoning
½ tsp paprika
Salt and pepper, to taste
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional)
Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
1. In a large pot or Dutch oven, brown ground beef over medium heat, breaking it apart as it cooks.
2. Add diced onion and garlic; cook 2–3 minutes until softened.
3. Stir in Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and pepper.
4. Pour in beef broth, tomato sauce, and diced tomatoes. Bring mixture to a simmer.
5. Add uncooked macaroni, stir well, and reduce heat to medium-low.
6. Cover and cook 12–15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is tender and liquid has thickened.
7. For a cheesy version, stir in shredded cheddar until melted.
8. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve hot.
Notes
Use gluten-free elbow pasta if desired — adjust cook time slightly.
Add bell peppers, corn, or peas for extra veggies.
For a richer flavor, swap half of the broth with tomato juice.
Leftovers taste even better the next day and freeze beautifully.