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Hearty Ground Beef Goulash with Cheddar Cheese Recipe

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Goulash is a hearty and comforting American classic featuring ground beef, tender elbow macaroni, a rich tomato sauce blend, and melted cheddar cheese. This one-pot dinner recipe is perfect for busy weeknights and serves up to 8 people with satisfying flavors and simple ingredients.

Ingredients

Meat and Vegetables

  • 2 lb ground beef
  • 2 onions, chopped
  • 1 green bell pepper, chopped
  • 2 tsp garlic, minced

Liquids and Canned Ingredients

  • 2 cup beef broth
  • 1 cup water
  • 15 oz tomato sauce
  • 14.5 oz diced tomatoes
  • 15 oz can stewed tomatoes
  • 6 oz can tomato paste

Seasonings

  • 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 tsp Italian seasoning
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 2 bay leaves

Pasta and Cheese

  • 16 oz elbow macaroni, uncooked
  • 2 cup cheddar cheese, shredded

Garnish

  • parsley for garnish

Instructions

  1. Cook the Beef and Vegetables: In a large stockpot over medium-high heat, add the ground beef, chopped onions, green bell pepper, and minced garlic. Cook, stirring frequently, until the beef is no longer pink and the vegetables are softened. Drain any excess fat from the pot.
  2. Add Tomatoes and Seasonings: Stir in the beef broth, water, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, stewed tomatoes, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, Italian seasoning, bay leaves, paprika, salt, and pepper. Bring the mixture to a boil.
  3. Simmer the Sauce: Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it simmer for 15 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
  4. Add Macaroni and Cook: Stir in the uncooked elbow macaroni thoroughly. Cover again and simmer for an additional 20 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking, until the pasta is tender.
  5. Finish the Dish: Remove the pot from heat and discard the bay leaves. Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese until melted and well combined.
  6. Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley on top for color and freshness. Serve hot as a filling dinner meal.

Notes

  • Drain excess fat after cooking the beef to avoid a greasy texture.
  • Stir occasionally during the pasta cooking step to prevent sticking to the bottom of the pot.
  • You can substitute elbow macaroni with other small pasta shapes like shells or rotini.
  • For a spicier version, add crushed red pepper flakes along with the seasonings.
  • Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and can be reheated on the stovetop or microwave.

Find it online: https://cookedbygrace.com/hearty-ground-beef-goulash-with-cheddar-cheese-recipe/