Old Fashioned Goulash Recipe

Did you know that over 60% of American families have their own version of goulash? You'll want to discover how this classic comfort food can transform your weeknight dinners. This hearty dish brings together rich ground beef, tender pasta, and a robust tomato sauce that'll transport you straight to a cozy Hungarian kitchen. With just a few simple ingredients and straightforward cooking techniques, you'll be able to create a meal that's both nostalgic and satisfying. So grab your skillet and let's uncover the secrets of this timeless recipe that's been warming hearts for generations.

Recipe Highlights

• A traditional Old Fashioned Goulash combines ground beef, elbow macaroni, tomatoes, onions, and paprika in a single pot for an easy, hearty meal.
• Brown ground beef over medium heat, breaking it into small pieces, then add diced onions and cook until translucent to build a flavorful base.
• Hungarian immigrants brought this recipe to America in the late 19th century, adapting it with local ingredients like ground beef and macaroni.
• Simmer the goulash for 15-20 minutes, ensuring the pasta is fully cooked and the flavors meld together, creating a rich and comforting dish.
• This one-pot meal is perfect for busy weeknights, offering a simple yet delicious recipe that connects generations through its straightforward cooking technique.

History

When Hungarian immigrants arrived in America during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, they brought their beloved recipe with them.

You'll notice how the dish transformed, incorporating local ingredients like ground beef and elbow macaroni.

This adaptation demonstrates how immigrant cuisine evolves, creating new culinary traditions while honoring original flavors.

Recipe

Old Fashioned Goulash is a hearty, comforting dish that brings warmth and satisfaction to any dinner table.

Rooted in Hungarian culinary traditions, this simplified version captures the essence of the classic recipe with just a handful of ingredients. Perfect for busy weeknights or cozy family meals, this one-pot wonder combines ground beef, pasta, and rich tomato sauce with a generous sprinkle of paprika to create a meal that's both easy to prepare and deeply flavorful.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound ground beef
• 2 cups elbow macaroni
• 28 oz canned diced tomatoes
• 1 large yellow onion
• 2 tablespoons paprika
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Water as needed

In a large pot, brown the ground beef over medium heat, breaking it into small pieces as it cooks.

Dice the onion and add it to the beef, cooking until the onion becomes translucent and fragrant. Sprinkle paprika over the meat and onion mixture, stirring to coat evenly.

Pour in the diced tomatoes and bring the mixture to a simmer.

Add the elbow macaroni and enough water to just cover the pasta. Cover the pot and cook for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. The pasta should become tender and the sauce will thicken as it cooks.

For the best results, use authentic Hungarian paprika if possible, as it provides a more complex and deeper flavor profile.

Season with salt and pepper to taste, and don't be afraid to adjust the consistency by adding a little water if the goulash becomes too thick.

The dish can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and often tastes even better the next day as the flavors continue to meld and develop.

Cooking Steps

You'll start by browning the ground beef in a large pot over medium heat, ensuring it's crumbled and evenly cooked.

Next, add your diced onions and let them become translucent, releasing their sweet aroma into the meat. Then sprinkle in the paprika to create a rich, vibrant base for your goulash.

Finally, introduce the diced tomatoes, macaroni, and just enough water to cover the pasta. Cover and simmer for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally until the pasta is tender and the sauce has thickened to a comforting, hearty consistency.

Step 1. Brown Ground Beef

Fire up your large skillet or pot over medium heat, and prepare to transform raw ground beef into a deliciously browned foundation for your goulash.

Begin by breaking the meat into small, uniform pieces, ensuring even cooking and maximum flavor development. Use a sturdy wooden spoon or spatula to continuously stir and break down the beef, preventing clumping and promoting consistent browning.

Key browning techniques:

• Maintain medium heat
• Avoid overcrowding the pan
• Drain excess fat if desired
• Listen for the sizzle that signals proper caramelization

Watch for these visual cues:

1. Meat changes from pink to grayish-brown
2. Surface develops a slight crispy texture
3. No visible pink remains in the meat

Once browned, you're ready to incorporate onions and continue building your goulash's rich flavor profile.

Step 2. Add Diced Onions

After browning the ground beef, it's time to introduce diced onions, which will infuse your goulash with a rich, aromatic base.

Grab your large yellow onion and dice it into uniform, small pieces, aiming for roughly 1/4-inch cubes that'll melt seamlessly into the dish. Add the onions directly to the pot with the browned beef, stirring continuously over medium heat until they become translucent and softened, which typically takes about 3-5 minutes.

Key onion-adding tips:

• Use medium heat to prevent burning
• Stir frequently for even cooking
• Look for a glossy, slightly transparent appearance
• Listen for a gentle sizzling sound

The onions will release natural sugars, creating a foundational flavor that transforms your simple goulash from basic to deeply satisfying.

Step 3. Stir in Paprika Sauce

Once the onions have softened and become translucent, it's time to transform your goulash with the defining flavor of paprika. Sprinkle the 2 tablespoons of paprika directly into the beef and onion mixture, stirring quickly to prevent burning and ensure even distribution. The spice will instantly deepen the dish's color, creating a rich, rusty-red hue that signals authentic flavor development.

• Stir paprika continuously for 30-60 seconds
• Allow the spice to bloom and release its aromatic oils
• Watch for a slightly darkened, fragrant result

Your goal is to toast the paprika gently, awakening its complex flavor profile without scorching. The spice should smell warm and slightly nutty, signaling it's perfectly incorporated and ready to meld with the tomatoes and beef.

Move swiftly but carefully to achieve optimal taste.

Step 4. Add Pasta and Water

Since the beef and paprika have developed a rich, aromatic base, you'll now transform your goulash by adding the pasta and liquid.

Pour 2 cups of elbow macaroni directly into the pot, stirring gently to coat the pasta with the tomato and beef mixture. Add enough water to just cover the pasta, typically about 2-3 cups, which will help the macaroni cook evenly and create a perfect sauce consistency.

• Cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid
• Reduce heat to medium-low
• Simmer for 15-20 minutes

Watch for these doneness cues: pasta should be tender but not mushy, and the liquid will gradually thicken into a rich, cohesive sauce.

Stir occasionally to prevent sticking and ensure uniform cooking throughout the dish.

Step 5. Simmer Until Sauce Thickens

While the fragrant mixture of beef, onions, and paprika simmers, you'll now focus on transforming this hearty goulash into a rich, comforting meal.

Keep the pot covered, maintaining a gentle simmer that allows flavors to meld and sauce to naturally thicken.

Watch the liquid reduce, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking. You'll want to:

• Maintain medium-low heat
• Check pasta tenderness around 15-minute mark
• Listen for slight bubbling sound
• Look for sauce becoming less watery

Your goal is a thick, clingy sauce that coats the macaroni without being too dry.

The starch from the pasta will help naturally bind the sauce, creating that classic goulash texture.

When the pasta reaches al dente and the liquid has reduced by about one-third, you're ready to serve this comforting dish.

Final Thoughts

Because great recipes often tell a story beyond the ingredients, this goulash dish represents more than just a simple meal—it's a culinary journey through tradition and comfort.

You'll find that mastering this recipe connects you to generations of home cooks who've transformed humble ingredients into something truly memorable.

The beauty of this goulash lies in its simplicity: five ingredients, one pot, and minimal technique.

Remember that cooking isn't just about following steps; it's about creating an experience.

Practice will help you develop intuition for seasoning and consistency.

Experiment with different paprika varieties, adjust liquid levels as needed, and don't be afraid to make the recipe your own.

Your goulash will improve with each preparation, becoming a personal signature dish that warms both body and soul.