Ground Beef Goulash | Easy Weeknight Meal
Some of the best meals are also the easiest and most convenient – such is the case with this Ground Beef Goulash. And that’s why we had it every single Halloween of my childhood before we went out trick or treating.
Quick. Easy. Delish. And all the protein we needed to keep us going through a night of banging on people’s doors, asking for candy (such an odd tradition, isn’t it?). Now, I know this isn’t your “traditional Hungarian Goulash” but we always called it ground beef goulash when my mom served it to us as kids. So that’s what I’m calling it now!
Traditional Goulash is a rich stew with tender meat that is often spiced with paprika. To keep this a quick and easy meal, I’m using ground beef instead of stew meat. And to make it a complete dinner, I add some macaroni noodles (after all, what isn’t better when a little macaroni is added?)
How to make Ground Beef Goulash
Add ground beef to a hot heavy-bottomed pot and cook over high heat until nearly cooked through (approx 3-5 minutes). Next, add onion, bell pepper, and garlic and cook until vegetables just begin to soften (approx 2 minutes). Add Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, diced tomatoes, water, Worcestershire Sauce, soy sauce, and macaroni noodles. Stir well, cover and bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to maintain slow simmer. Cover and cook until macaroni is al dente. (Approximately 15-20 minutes). Let sit 5 minutes then serve in bowls. (Full recipe below)
The richness of the Worcestershire Sauce and the saltiness of the soy sauce really bring out the flavors of this dish. I’m not exactly going out on a limb when I tell you this is one of the most flavorful one-pot dishes you’ll make!
Tips for Making the Perfect Goulash Recipe
- Use a large pot to ensure enough room for the macaroni to fully cook and expand
- Add a little butter when you saute your ground beef for extra flavor
- Do not use low-sodium soy sauce (unless you need to for dietary restrictions)
- Make sure to scrape all the brown bits from the ground beef and veggies off the bottom of the pot (using a flat-edged wooden spatula like this one helps.)
- Stir frequently while the pasta is cooking to prevent sticking
- Bonus – this recipe is even better the next day so hopefully you have some leftovers.
The best part about this ground beef goulash is that it comes together in no time at all, which gives you time to enjoy your favorite dinnertime cocktail as it’s cooking! (Might I suggest this quick and easy, but full of flavor Dark and Stormy Drink? It might just become your favorite cocktail!)
Tools used for this dish:
Enjoy your easy, weeknight meal! And it doesn’t even need to be Halloween!
Ground Beef Goulash | Easy Weeknight Meal
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil, can use butter
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 yellow onion, diced
- 1 green bell pepper, seeded and diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon Italian Seasoning
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 28 ounce can diced tomatoes with juices
- 1 1/2 cups water
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce
- 1 teaspoon soy sauce
- 8 ounces dry macaroni noodles
Instructions
- Add ground beef to a hot heavy-bottomed pot and cook over high heat until nearly cooked through (approx 3-5 minutes). Add onion, bell pepper, and garlic and cook until vegetables just begin to soften (approx 2 minutes).
- Add Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, diced tomatoes, water, Worcestershire Sauce, soy sauce, and macaroni noodles. Stir well, cover and bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to maintain slow simmer. Cover and cook until macaroni is al dente. (Approximately 15-20 minutes).
- Let sit 5 minutes then serve in bowls.