Are you craving a cozy and healthy meal to comfort you after a long day? The old-fashioned goulash is the right recipe for you. It is a hearty dish that warms your soul and is made with simple and inexpensive ingredients.
Want to save this recipe? Enter your email below and we’ll send the recipe straight to your inbox!
A goulash is a meal originating from Hungary and has spread globally. The flavorful stew includes meat and vegetables drowned in sauce. The secret is in the prep process, where you cook the mixture on low for a long time. This makes the flavors meld together and results in tender meat.
The comforting goulash is the perfect comforting meal to make for your family. It is the ultimate dinner option when you don’t have the inspiration to cook. Feel free to unleash your creativity and customize the recipe to your liking.
So what are we waiting for? Let’s reveal the old-fashioned goulash recipe and get straight to cooking!
What makes this recipe so unique?
Cooking the ingredients at a lower temperature for a longer time lets the flavors meld and tenderize the meat. The tender veggies and flavorful meat drowned in sauce create the perfect combination of textures and flavors.
Can I substitute beef?
Sure, feel free to switch with ground chicken or turkey. You can also customize the vegetable content to your liking.
What to serve it with?
The hearty homemade goulash pairs perfectly with a side of creamy potato mash. Or, go with a refreshing salad with your favorite dressing for a complete meal. You can also enjoy it with garlic bread for that fragrant touch.
Can I make it ahead of time?
Yes, you can make this meal ahead of time. Just add the pasta when you’re ready to serve it. Otherwise, leaving the pasta in the saucy goulash will make it mushy.
Ingredients:
- Ground beef
- Olive oil
- Onion
- Green pepper
- Garlic cloves
- Salt
- Pepper
- Dried oregano
- Dried basil
- Parsley
- Worcestershire sauce
- Diced tomatoes not drained
- Elbow macaroni
How to make Old-fashioned Goulash:
Step 1. Prepare the elbow macaroni following the instructions on the label. Make sure not to overcook your pasta; otherwise, it will be mushy.
Step 2. Heat the olive oil in a frying pan over medium heat.
Step 3. Cook the ground beef for 3 minutes. At this point, it doesn’t have to be cooked thoroughly, as you will see that some pieces are still pink.
Step 4. Drain the grease and add green pepper, chopped onions, and garlic. Cook for 5 minutes and stir frequently.
Step 5. Add the Worcestershire sauce, basil, oregano, parsley, and salt. Mix and cook for 3 more minutes.
Step 6. Add the diced tomatoes together with the juice from the can. Reduce the heat and cook covered for 10 minutes.
Step 7. Add the cooked pasta and mix to incorporate.
Step 8. Cook for 3 more minutes, and your goulash is ready to be enjoyed.
PrintOld-fashioned Goulash
Cooking the ingredients at a lower temperature for a longer time lets the flavors meld and tenderize the meat. The tender veggies and flavorful meat drowned in sauce create the perfect combination of textures and flavors.
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 large onion chopped (white or yellow onion)
- 1 green pepper chopped
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- 1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon chopped parsley
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 14.5 ounces can diced tomatoes not drained
- 1 pound elbow macaroni
Instructions
- Prepare the elbow macaroni following the instructions on the label. Make sure not to overcook your pasta; otherwise, it will be mushy.
- Heat the olive oil in a frying pan over medium heat.
- Cook the ground beef for 3 minutes. At this point, it doesn’t have to be cooked thoroughly, as you will see that some pieces are still pink.
- Drain the grease and add green pepper, chopped onions, and garlic. Cook for 5 minutes and stir frequently.
- Add the Worcestershire sauce, basil, oregano, parsley, and salt. Mix and cook for 3 more minutes.
- Add the diced tomatoes together with the juice from the can. Reduce the heat and cook covered for 10 minutes.
- Add the cooked pasta and mix to incorporate.
- Cook for 3 more minutes, and your goulash is ready to be enjoyed.
- Category: Main
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Marie Rayner is a retired Chef, freelance writer, recipe developer, food blogger, and Cookbook author. She makes her home in Chester, UK, where she lives with her husband, Todd, and their much beloved English Cocker, Mitzie. Her motto is “Life is far too short to eat bad food,” and her goal is to share delicious and easy recipes which anyone can enjoy and cook in the comfort of their own home.