Description
This Cheesy Beef Goulash is a comforting, hearty one-pot meal featuring browned ground beef simmered in a savory tomato sauce with aromatic herbs, combined with tender elbow macaroni and topped with melted cheddar and Parmesan cheeses. Ready in just 35 minutes, it’s a perfect family-friendly dinner that’s flavorful and satisfying.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Vegetables
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Tomato Base
- 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes
- 1 (6 oz) can tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon tomato sauce or ketchup
Spices and Seasonings
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
Other Ingredients
- 2 cups elbow macaroni (or any pasta of choice)
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (for cooking)
Instructions
- Brown the beef: Heat a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add olive oil and cook the ground beef, breaking it apart with a spatula, until it is browned and fully cooked, about 5-7 minutes.
- Sauté aromatics: Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet with the beef. Sauté for 2-3 minutes until the onion becomes soft and fragrant.
- Prepare the sauce: Stir in the diced tomatoes, tomato paste, tomato sauce (or ketchup), dried basil, dried oregano, paprika, salt, and pepper. Lower the heat slightly and simmer the sauce for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally to meld the flavors.
- Cook pasta: While the sauce simmers, cook the elbow macaroni according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain well and set aside.
- Combine pasta and sauce: Once the beef sauce mixture is ready, add the cooked pasta to the skillet and stir well to combine all ingredients evenly. Reduce the heat to low.
- Add cheese topping: Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese and grated Parmesan over the pasta and beef mixture. Cover the skillet with a lid and cook for 5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Serve: Serve the cheesy beef goulash hot. Optionally, garnish with additional Parmesan cheese if desired for extra flavor.
Notes
- You can substitute elbow macaroni with any preferred pasta shape such as penne or rotini.
- For extra flavor, add a splash of Worcestershire sauce when cooking the beef.
- Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheat nicely in the microwave or on the stovetop.
- To reduce fat, drain excess grease after browning the ground beef.
- Adding a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes can add a mild heat if desired.
