The Perfect Old Classic Fashioned Goulash Recipe for Cozy Nights

Classic old-fashioned goulash represents a heartwarming culinary tradition that speaks directly to soul-satisfying comfort food.

Generations of home cooks have redefineed simple ingredients into something extraordinary through careful preparation and love.

Hungarian roots give this dish its rich cultural heritage and deep, complex flavor profile.

Robust and filling, the recipe balances meaty textures with harmonious seasoning that feels like a warm hug.

Hearty ingredients meld together, creating a robust meal that redefines ordinary dinners into memorable experiences.

The magic happens when carefully selected components interact, developing layers of taste that resonate with everyone around the table.

Why Goulash Still Rules the Comfort Food Scene

• Dive into Hearty Comfort: Experience a classic goulash that wraps you in warm, nostalgic flavors perfect for family dinners and cozy nights.
• Quick and Easy One-Pot Wonder: Whip up this delicious meal in under 45 minutes with minimal dishes and simple ingredients that everyone loves.
• Protein-Packed Pasta Delight: Enjoy a balanced dish loaded with ground beef, cheese, and pasta that delivers substantial nutrition and satisfying texture in every bite.
• Customize Your dish: Make this recipe your own by adjusting seasonings, cheese types, or adding extra vegetables to suit personal taste preferences while maintaining the traditional goulash essence.

The Hearty Ingredients That Make This Dish a Classic

• Ground Beef: Hearty protein base for the goulash, choose lean meat for less grease.
• Elbow Macaroni: Classic pasta shape that holds sauce perfectly, select standard enriched pasta.
• Tomato Sauce: Provides rich, smooth foundation for the dish.
• Petite Diced Tomatoes: Adds texture and fresh tomato chunks to the goulash.
• Onion: Adds depth and sweetness to the meat base.
• Garlic: Provides robust flavor and aromatic profile.
• Italian Seasoning: Brings herbal complexity to the dish. -Salt and Black Pepper: Essential for balancing and enhancing overall taste.
• Worcestershire Sauce: Introduces tangy umami depth to the mixture.
• Cheddar Cheese: Melts beautifully, creating creamy richness throughout the goulash.

How to Make the Ultimate Old-Fashioned Goulash

Step 1: Prepare the Cooking Workspace

Preheat oven to 350°F. Grab a large pot and boil water. Cook elbow macaroni 3 minutes less than package instructions, then drain and set aside.

Step 2: Brown the Meat and Onions

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and diced onions. Cook for 6-7 minutes until beef is fully browned and onions turn translucent. Drain excess fat carefully.

Step 3: Add Flavor Boosters

• Tomato sauce
• Petite diced tomatoes
• Worcestershire sauce

Stir all ingredients thoroughly.

Step 4: Season the Mixture

• Italian seasoning
• Salt
• Black pepper

Mix well after each addition, tasting and adjusting as needed.

Step 5: Combine Pasta and Meat

Gently fold drained macaroni into the beef mixture. Ensure every pasta piece gets coated with sauce. Blend in shredded cheddar cheese until fully incorporated.

Step 6: Bake the Goulash

Transfer mixture to a greased 9×13 inch casserole dish. Bake in preheated oven for 20-25 minutes until bubbly with golden brown edges.

Step 7: Serve and Enjoy

Remove from oven and let cool briefly. Serve hot with optional side dishes or toppings of your choice.

Smart Tips for Saucy, Savory Perfection

• Boost Pasta Texture: Cook macaroni slightly under al dente since it continues cooking in the sauce, preventing mushy results.
• Drain Fat Thoroughly: Remove excess beef grease completely to ensure a rich, not greasy, final dish.
• Cheese Melting Trick: Fold in shredded cheese off direct heat for smoother, more even melting without clumping.
• Seasoning Secret: Taste and adjust seasonings before baking to guarantee maximum flavor depth and balance.
• Crispy Top Technique: Sprinkle extra cheese on top during the last 5 minutes of baking for a deliciously golden, crunchy surface.

How to Store and Reheat Without Losing That Nostalgic Flavor

• Refrigerate your goulash in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days, keeping the flavors sealed and fresh. Prevent bacterial growth by maintaining a consistent cool temperature.
• Freezing Method: Pack leftovers in freezer-safe containers, removing as much air as possible. Your goulash will stay delicious for 2-3 months when properly sealed. Label containers with the date to track freshness.
• Reheating Technique: Warm refrigerated goulash in the microwave or oven. For microwave, cover and heat in 1-minute intervals, stirring between each cycle to distribute heat evenly.

Perfect Pairings for a Throwback Goulash Night

• Pair with Crisp Red Wine: Select a medium-bodied red wine like zinfandel or pinot noir to complement the rich, hearty flavors of the goulash. The wine's acidity cuts through the beef's richness while enhancing the tomato sauce's depth.
• Serve with Tangy Side Salad: Create a fresh green salad with mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, and a zesty vinaigrette. The bright, acidic notes will balance the goulash's warm, comforting profile and provide a refreshing contrast.
• Add Crusty Garlic Bread: Prepare warm, toasted garlic bread to soak up the delicious sauce. Its crispy texture and garlicky flavor perfectly match the goulash's robust meat and cheese combination, making each bite more satisfying.
• Complement with Light Beer: Choose a cold, crisp lager or pilsner that won't overpower the dish. The beer's carbonation and mild flavor will cleanse the palate between bites, creating a delightful dining experience.

Goulash Variations That Still Taste Like Home

• Spicy Southwest Goulash: Kick up the heat by adding diced jalapeños, green chiles, and chili powder to the beef mixture. Swap cheddar for pepper jack cheese to enhance the spicy profile.
• Mediterranean Fusion Goulash: Replace ground beef with lamb and incorporate oregano, feta cheese, and kalamata olives. Add a sprinkle of fresh parsley for a bright Mediterranean touch.
• Vegetarian Protein Power: Substitute ground beef with plant-based crumbles or lentils. Mix in roasted bell peppers and use nutritional yeast instead of cheese for a hearty vegetarian version.
• Creamy Mushroom Comfort: Sauté sliced mushrooms with the onions and add a splash of cream to create a richer sauce. Incorporate Swiss or Gruyère cheese for extra depth and smoothness.

Old Classic Fashioned Goulash Recipe

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4.7 from 39 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Hungarian goulash delivers a hearty symphony of tender beef, paprika-rich sauce, and comforting noodles. Generations of home cooks have perfected this classic dish, inviting you to savor a delicious journey through traditional Central European cuisine.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meat and Pasta:

• 2 pounds (907 grams) ground beef
• 1 pound (454 grams) elbow macaroni

Tomato and Cheese Components:

• 2 cans tomato sauce
• 2 cans petite diced tomatoes
• 1 cup (240 milliliters/8 ounces) cheddar cheese, shredded

Seasonings and Aromatics:

• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 0.5 tablespoons (7.5 milliliters) black pepper
• 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) Worcestershire sauce
• 0.5 tablespoons (7.5 milliliters) Italian seasoning
• 2 teaspoons (10 milliliters) salt

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Instructions

1. Warm the oven to 350°F (175°C) while preparing a large pot of boiling water to cook the elbow macaroni, targeting an al dente texture by reducing cooking time by 3 minutes from package instructions.
2. In a spacious skillet over medium-high heat, brown ground beef and diced onions together, cooking for 6-7 minutes until the meat is thoroughly cooked and onions turn translucent, carefully draining any accumulated fat.
3. Introduce minced garlic to the meat mixture, sautéing briefly for approximately 1 minute, then incorporate tomato sauce, petite diced tomatoes, and Worcestershire sauce, stirring to create a cohesive blend.
4. Enhance the mixture with Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper, adjusting quantities to personal taste preferences and mixing thoroughly to distribute seasonings evenly.
5. Gently fold the drained macaroni into the beef and sauce combination, ensuring complete coating, then gradually add shredded cheddar cheese, stirring until fully integrated and creating a creamy consistency.
6. Transfer the goulash to a greased 9×13 inch (23×33 centimeter) casserole dish if not using an oven-safe skillet, spreading the mixture evenly and placing in the preheated oven.
7. Bake for 20-25 minutes until the top develops a golden-brown crust and the edges become bubbly, indicating the dish is thoroughly heated and the cheese has melted completely.
8. Remove from the oven and allow the goulash to rest for 5-10 minutes, which helps the dish set and makes serving easier, then plate and enjoy with optional garnishes or side dishes.

Notes

• Gather all ingredients beforehand to streamline the cooking process and prevent last-minute scrambling.
• Slightly undercook pasta to avoid mushiness during the final baking stage, ensuring perfect texture.
• Brown ground beef thoroughly to develop deep, rich flavor and eliminate any potential moisture that could make the dish watery.
• Drain excess fat after cooking meat to keep the goulash lighter and prevent greasiness.
• Select high-quality cheddar cheese for maximum melting and flavor enhancement in the final dish.
• Customize the recipe by adding optional herbs like fresh parsley or basil for an extra layer of aromatic complexity.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Baking, Boiling, Sautéing
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 490 kcal
• Sugar: 6g
• Sodium: 1100mg
• Fat: 22g
• Saturated Fat: 10g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8g
• Trans Fat: 1g
• Carbohydrates: 49g
• Fiber: 3g
• Protein: 28g
• Cholesterol: 70mg