🍝 Easy Goulash Recipe
Serves 4–6 | Prep: 10 min | Cook: 20 min | Total: ~30 min
🛒 Ingredients
1½ lbs (680g) ground beef (85% lean for best flavor)
1 medium onion, chopped
1 bell pepper, diced (optional, but adds color & crunch)
8 oz (2 cups) elbow macaroni, uncooked
2 (14.5 oz) cans stewed tomatoes (with juices)
2 tbsp ketchup (adds sweetness and tang)
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
½ tsp chili powder (adjust to taste)
Salt & black pepper to taste
Tomato juice or beef broth, as needed (for sauciness)
🌶️ Optional Boost: Pinch of cayenne or smoked paprika for heat & depth
👩🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions
1️⃣ Cook the Pasta
In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook macaroni until al dente.
Drain and set aside.
💡 Pro Tip: Undercook slightly — it’ll soften more when mixed in.
2️⃣ Brown the Beef & Veggies
In a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat, cook:
Ground beef
Chopped onion
Diced bell pepper (if using)
Break up the meat and cook until browned and onions are soft (~6–7 mins).
3️⃣ Drain & Season
Drain excess fat if desired (leave a little for flavor).
Stir in garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, salt, and pepper.
Cook 1 minute to toast the spices.
4️⃣ Add Tomatoes & Ketchup
Roughly mash the stewed tomatoes in the can with a fork.
Add to the skillet with their juices.
Stir in ketchup and simmer 3–4 minutes to deepen flavor.
5️⃣ Combine Everything
Add cooked macaroni to the skillet.
Stir well to coat every noodle in sauce.
If too thick, add tomato juice or broth, ¼ cup at a time, until desired consistency.
6️⃣ Taste & Serve
Adjust seasoning — maybe a little more salt, garlic, or chili?
Serve hot in deep bowls.
🍽️ Serving Ideas:
With crusty bread or garlic toast
Topped with shredded cheddar or Parmesan cheese
Paired with a crisp green salad or coleslaw
🌈 Variations & Pro Hacks
🌱 Vegetarian Version: Swap beef for lentils or plant-based crumbles + extra veggies
🧀 Cheesy Upgrade: Stir in ½ cup shredded cheddar or cream cheese at the end
🌶️ Spicy Kick: Add jalapeños, red pepper flakes, or hot sauce
🧊 Make-Ahead Magic: Cool completely and refrigerate up to 4 days — reheats beautifully on stove or microwave
❄️ Freeze It! Freeze in portions up to 3 months — thaw overnight, reheat with a splash of broth
🌾 Gluten-Free? Use GF elbow pasta — works perfectly!
🧠 Why This Tastes So Good (Even Though It’s Simple)
The magic is in the layered flavor:
Stewed tomatoes = chunky texture + natural sweetness
Ketchup = tangy depth without adding vinegar
Spice blend = warmth without overpowering
Tomato juice = stretches the sauce while keeping it rich
And because everything simmers together, the noodles soak up all that savory goodness — no bland bites here.
❤️ Final Thought: Sometimes, the Best Meals Are the Simple Ones
This goulash doesn’t try to be fancy. It’s not Instagram-worthy with gold leaf or microgreens.
But what it is — warm, filling, familiar, and made with love — matters far more.
It’s the kind of dish that brings people to the table fast, earns second helpings, and reminds us that good food doesn’t have to be complicated.
So tonight, when life feels heavy and dinner feels hard…
Turn on the stove, grab the mac and beef, and let this one-pot wonder carry you through.
Because sometimes, comfort really is just a bowl away. 💛