Description
Hearty Hungarian Cheesy Baked Goulash mingles robust ground beef with tender pasta, creating a comforting meal that warms hearts. Simmered with rich tomato sauce and melted cheese, this classic dish invites you to savor a delicious slice of culinary tradition.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat:
- 1 pound (1 lb) ground beef
Pasta:
- 1 cup dry elbow macaroni pasta
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 2/3 cup chopped onion
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
Tomato Base:
- 1 (15-ounces) can tomato sauce
- 1 can diced tomatoes
Herbs and Seasonings:
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 2 teaspoons dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
Cheese:
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Prepare a pot of salted water and cook elbow macaroni until just shy of al dente, approximately 1-2 minutes less than package directions. Drain pasta and reserve.
- In a large skillet, brown ground beef over medium-high heat. Incorporate chopped onions and cook until beef is completely browned and onions turn translucent, about 5-7 minutes. Sprinkle black pepper to taste. Add minced garlic during the final minute of cooking, stirring constantly. Drain excess grease if needed.
- Create the tomato sauce by mixing tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, sugar, dried oregano, basil, and parsley into the beef mixture. Simmer for 5 minutes, allowing herbs to infuse and flavors to develop.
- Fold shredded cheddar cheese into the sauce until melted and smooth. Gently mix in the cooked macaroni, ensuring even distribution throughout the sauce.
- Transfer the mixture to a lightly greased 2-quart casserole dish. Distribute evenly and top with shredded mozzarella cheese. Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes until cheese turns golden and bubbly.
- Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes to allow flavors to settle and make serving easier. Serve hot and enjoy the rich, comforting dish.
Notes
- Choose elbow macaroni or swap with gluten-free alternatives like brown rice pasta for those with wheat sensitivities.
- Ground turkey or plant-based crumbles work perfectly as lean protein substitutes for traditional ground beef.
- Mix different cheese types like sharp cheddar and monterey jack for deeper, more complex flavor profiles.
- Add red pepper flakes or smoked paprika to introduce a subtle kick and authentic goulash-style warmth.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Hungarian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 410
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 540 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 24 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg