American goulash

American Goulash (also known as American Chop Suey in some regions) is a classic, comforting, one-pot dish that combines ground beef, macaroni, and a seasoned tomato sauce. It’s an easy-to-make meal that’s perfect for feeding a crowd, and it’s great for leftovers too!

Here’s a simple recipe for making American Goulash, cafeteria-style:

American Goulash Recipe (Cafeteria-Style)

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce
• 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes (with juices)
• 1 (6 oz) can tomato paste
• 1 1/2 cups elbow macaroni (uncooked)
• 1 1/2 cups beef broth (or water)
• 2 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1/2 tsp paprika (optional)
• 1/2 tsp salt (to taste)
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 tsp sugar (optional, to balance acidity)
• 1 tbsp olive oil (for sautéing)
• Grated cheese (optional, for topping)

Instructions:

1. Cook the Ground Beef:

   • In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
   • Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks, about 5-7 minutes.
   • Once browned, drain any excess fat from the beef and return it to the pot.

2. Sauté the Onion and Garlic:

   • Add the diced onion to the pot and sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened.
   • Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another 1-2 minutes, until fragrant.

3. Add the Tomato Ingredients:

   • Add the tomato sauce, diced tomatoes (with juices), and tomato paste to the pot.
   • Stir everything together to combine, ensuring the beef and vegetables are well coated.

4. Season the Sauce:

   • Stir in the beef broth, Italian seasoning, paprika (if using), salt, pepper, and sugar (if using). Mix everything until well combined.
   • Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat.

5. Cook the Macaroni:

   • Once the sauce is simmering, stir in the uncooked elbow macaroni.
   • Cover the pot and let the mixture simmer for about 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is tender and the sauce has thickened. Be sure to check the pasta frequently to ensure it doesn’t stick to the bottom.

6. Finish and Serve:

   • Taste the goulash and adjust the seasoning if needed (you can add more salt or pepper if necessary).
   • Once the macaroni is cooked and the sauce is thick, remove from heat.
   • Serve the goulash with grated cheese on top (optional) and enjoy!

Tips:

• Make it Cheesy: You can add shredded cheese (like cheddar or mozzarella) into the goulash at the end and stir it in for a cheesy, creamy version.
• Vegetables: Feel free to add extra vegetables like bell peppers, peas, or corn to make the dish even heartier.
• Meat Variations: You can substitute ground beef with ground turkey or ground chicken for a leaner option.

American goulash is a quick and satisfying meal that’s sure to be a hit with the whole family! Let me know if you need any more tips or variations!