Grandma’s Hearty Old Fashioned Goulash Recipe – A Taste of Home

Comfort food takes center stage with this hearty old fashioned goulash recipe that brings warmth to any dinner table.

Packed with rich, savory flavors, this classic dish promises a delightful culinary experience.

Hungarian roots shine through every spoonful of tender meat and perfectly seasoned sauce.

Generations have cherished this simple yet incredibly satisfying meal that combines robust ingredients with minimal effort.

The robust blend of ground beef, pasta, and aromatic spices creates a mouthwatering symphony of taste.

Home cooks adore how quickly this one-pot wonder comes together, making it a weeknight dinner champion.

Grab a fork and savor every comforting bite of this timeless recipe that will quickly become a family favorite.

What’s Special About This Old Fashioned Goulash

• Enjoy a complete meal that comes together in a single skillet, reducing kitchen cleanup and saving precious energy after a long day of work or activities.
• Packed with hearty ground beef, cheesy goodness, and tender pasta, this goulash appeals to both kids and adults, creating a crowd-pleasing dinner that brings everyone together around the table.
• Made with affordable pantry staples and simple ingredients, this recipe delivers maximum flavor without breaking the bank, perfect for families looking to enjoy a satisfying meal on a budget.

Ingredients You’ll Need for Traditional Goulash

• Ground Beef: A hearty protein that provides rich flavor and substance to the goulash.
• Elbow Macaroni: A classic pasta shape that absorbs the sauce and creates a comforting texture.
• Tomato Sauce, Diced Tomatoes: The foundational base that adds moisture and tangy tomato flavor to the dish.

• Onion, Garlic: Essential aromatics that build a deep, savory flavor profile for the goulash.
• Worcestershire Sauce: A umami-rich condiment that enhances the meat's depth and complexity.

• Italian Seasoning, Salt, Black Pepper: Classic herbs and spices that balance and elevate the overall taste of the goulash.
• Cheddar Cheese: A melty, sharp cheese that adds creamy richness and a golden top to the dish.

How to Make Classic Old School Goulash

Step 1: Prepare Pasta Base

Boil water in a large pot and add salt.

Cook elbow macaroni until slightly undercooked, about 3 minutes less than package instructions.

Drain pasta and set aside.

Step 2: Brown Meat and Aromatics

Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.

Add ground beef and chopped onion.

Break beef into crumbles and cook until completely browned.

Drain excess fat from the skillet.

Step 3: Build Flavor Foundation

Add minced garlic and cook for one minute until fragrant.

• Worcestershire sauce
• Tomato sauce
• Diced tomatoes

Stir ingredients thoroughly to combine.

Step 4: Season and Simmer

• Italian seasoning
• Salt
• Black pepper

Let sauce simmer for 5 minutes, allowing flavors to develop and blend.

Step 5: Combine and Melt Cheese

Gently fold cooked macaroni into sauce, ensuring complete coating.

Mix in shredded cheddar cheese until it begins to melt.

Step 6: Bake to Perfection

Transfer mixture to an oven-safe dish.

Bake at 350°F for 20-25 minutes until bubbly and cheese is completely melted.

Surface should turn golden and slightly crispy.

Tips for Making Goulash Just Right

• Cook macaroni 3 minutes less than package instructions to prevent mushy results and ensure perfect al dente consistency when baked.
• After browning ground beef, completely drain excess fat to keep the goulash from becoming greasy and maintain a rich, clean flavor profile.
• Let the sauce simmer for 5 minutes to allow herbs and spices to fully integrate, creating a more complex and harmonious taste experience.
• Stir shredded cheddar directly into the hot goulash mixture before baking to help cheese melt smoothly and distribute evenly throughout the dish.
• Bake until the top turns slightly golden and the edges become crispy, which adds delightful texture and enhances the overall visual appeal.

How to Store and Reheat Old Fashioned Goulash

• Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Properly sealed goulash will stay fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Transfer cooled goulash to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Freeze for up to 3 months, ensuring you remove excess air to prevent freezer burn.
• Place individual portions in a microwave-safe dish. Cover with a damp paper towel to retain moisture. Heat on medium power for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through to ensure even warming.
• Pour goulash into a skillet over medium-low heat. Add a splash of water or broth to prevent sticking. Stir occasionally and heat for 5-7 minutes until thoroughly warmed, maintaining the dish's creamy texture.

Best Pairings for Traditional Goulash

• Pair with Robust Red Wine: Choose a bold, full-bodied red wine like Cabernet Sauvignon or Syrah that matches the hearty, rich flavors of the goulash and cuts through its meaty texture.
• Complement with Crusty Garlic Bread: Serve warm, crispy garlic bread on the side to soak up the delicious tomato sauce and provide a crunchy contrast to the creamy pasta dish.
• Balance with Fresh Green Salad: Create a light, crisp green salad with mixed lettuce, cucumber, and a tangy vinaigrette to offset the heaviness of the goulash and add a refreshing element to the meal.
• Enhance with German-Style Beer: Select a traditional German lager or amber beer that echoes the dish's Central European roots and provides a smooth, malty counterpoint to the robust goulash flavors.

Flavor Tweaks for a New Goulash Spin

• Vegetarian Goulash: Replace ground beef with plant-based protein like lentils, crumbled tofu, or textured vegetable protein. Add extra vegetables such as bell peppers and zucchini for more depth and nutrition.
• Gluten-Free Version: Swap regular elbow macaroni with gluten-free pasta made from rice, corn, or quinoa. Ensure all other ingredients like tomato sauce are certified gluten-free.
• Low-Carb Alternative: Use spiralized zucchini noodles or cauliflower rice instead of traditional pasta. Reduce total carbohydrate content while maintaining the rich, hearty flavor profile of classic goulash.
• Spicy Hungarian Style: Incorporate authentic Hungarian paprika, add diced green chiles, and include a splash of hot sauce to create a more traditional and fiery version of the classic recipe.

FAQs

• What are the origins of goulash?

Goulash originated in Hungary as a hearty beef stew made by cattle herders. It later evolved into a popular comfort food across Central and Eastern Europe, with many regional variations.

• Is this recipe traditional or Americanized?

This is an Americanized version of goulash, often called American goulash. It differs from the traditional Hungarian recipe by using ground beef, macaroni, and incorporating more tomato-based sauce.

• Can I make this dish ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the goulash earlier in the day and refrigerate it. When ready to serve, simply reheat in the oven at 350°F for about 15-20 minutes until warmed through and bubbly.

• What makes this goulash different from other pasta dishes?

This goulash stands out with its rich, savory beef sauce, generous use of Italian seasoning, and the way the cheese melts into the dish during baking, creating a creamy, comforting texture.

Old Fashioned Goulash Recipe

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4.6 from 11 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Hearty Hungarian Goulash emerges as a comforting classic, blending rich beef, paprika-kissed spices, and tender vegetables into a soul-warming meal. Generations of home cooks have perfected this one-pot wonder that brings warmth and tradition to your dinner table.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meat:

• 2 pounds ground beef

Pasta:

• 1 pound elbow macaroni

Seasonings and Extras:

• 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) Worcestershire sauce
• 1 1/2 tablespoons (22.5 milliliters) Italian seasoning
• 2 teaspoons (10 grams) salt
• 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 grams) black pepper
• 1 cup (100 grams) cheddar cheese, shredded

Vegetables:

• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced

Tomato Base:

• 2 (15 ounces/425 grams) cans tomato sauce
• 2 (14.5 ounces/411 grams) cans petit diced tomatoes

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F, preparing for the final baking stage of the goulash.
2. Boil water in a large pot, adding salt. Cook elbow macaroni for 3 minutes less than package instructions to maintain a firm texture. Drain and reserve.
3. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Brown ground beef with chopped onions, breaking meat into small pieces for approximately 6-7 minutes. Drain excess fat thoroughly.
4. Add minced garlic to the meat, sautéing for one minute until aromatic. Incorporate Worcestershire sauce, tomato sauce, and diced tomatoes, stirring to create a uniform mixture.
5. Season the sauce with Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Simmer for 5 minutes, allowing flavors to develop and integrate completely.
6. Fold cooked macaroni into the meat sauce, ensuring each pasta piece is evenly coated. Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese and gently mix until cheese begins to melt slightly.
7. Transfer the goulash to an oven-safe dish or skillet. Bake for 20-25 minutes until the top turns golden, cheese melts completely, and the edges become bubbly and crisp.

Notes

• Prevent pasta overcooking by deliberately undercooking it during initial boiling, ensuring perfect texture when baked in the goulash.
• Drain ground beef thoroughly to reduce excess grease and prevent a soggy final dish, creating a cleaner, more concentrated flavor profile.
• Consider using lean ground beef or turkey for a healthier version without compromising the rich, comforting taste of traditional goulash.
• Enhance meal prep by preparing this goulash ahead of time and refrigerating, as the flavors develop and intensify when allowed to sit overnight.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Hungarian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 550
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 900 mg
• Fat: 28 g
• Saturated Fat: 11 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 55 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 28 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg