Southern Style Goulash

Why make this recipe

Southern Style Goulash is a comforting and hearty dish that combines the best of southern flavor and classic pasta. It’s perfect for family dinners, gatherings, or even meal prepping for the week. This dish is easy to make and uses simple ingredients that you likely already have in your kitchen. The combination of ground beef, pasta, and rich sauce creates a satisfying meal that warms the heart and soul.

How to make Southern Style Goulash

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 ½ pounds ground beef
• 2 cups elbow macaroni (uncooked)
• 1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce
• 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes (with juices)
• 3 cups beef broth
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 ½ teaspoons paprika
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• ½ teaspoon salt (or to taste)
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional)
• Fresh chopped parsley, for garnish (optional)

Directions:

1. Sauté Onion & Garlic: Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook for 3–4 minutes until softened. Then add the minced garlic and cook for 1 more minute.

2. Cook the Beef: Add the ground beef to the pot. Cook it until browned, breaking it up as it cooks. Drain any excess grease.

3. Add Liquids & Seasoning: Stir in the tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Bring to a simmer.

4. Add Pasta: Stir in the uncooked elbow macaroni. Cover the pot and reduce the heat to medium-low. Simmer for 12–15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is tender and the sauce thickens.

5. Add Cheese (Optional): Remove from heat. If using, stir in the shredded cheddar cheese for a creamy finish. Let it sit for 5 minutes before serving to thicken.

6. Serve: Ladle the goulash into bowls and garnish with fresh parsley if desired.

How to serve Southern Style Goulash

Serve Southern Style Goulash hot in bowls. It pairs well with a simple side salad or crusty bread. For a family-style meal, you can place the pot on the table and let everyone serve themselves. Adding a dash of hot sauce can also give it a spicy kick for those who like some heat.

How to store Southern Style Goulash

Store any leftover goulash in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. To reheat, simply warm it on the stove over low heat until hot, or in the microwave until heated through. You can add a splash of beef broth if it has thickened up too much.

Tips to make Southern Style Goulash

• For extra flavor, consider adding chopped bell peppers or mushrooms when sautéing the onions and garlic.
• You can replace ground beef with ground turkey or chicken for a lighter version.
• If you prefer a thicker sauce, cook it longer, or reduce the amount of beef broth.

Variation

You can customize this recipe by using different types of pasta, such as penne or rigatoni, instead of elbow macaroni. Additionally, adding vegetables like zucchini or spinach can enhance the nutritional value of the dish.

FAQs

1. Can I freeze Southern Style Goulash?
   Yes, you can freeze it. Just make sure to let it cool completely before placing it in a freezer-safe container. It will stay good in the freezer for about 2-3 months.

2. Can I make this recipe in a slow cooker?
   Absolutely! You can brown the beef and sauté the onions and garlic first, then transfer everything to a slow cooker. Cook on low for about 6-8 hours or on high for about 3-4 hours.

3. Is this recipe spicy?
   No, this recipe is not inherently spicy. However, you can add red pepper flakes or hot sauce if you want some heat in your goulash.

Southern Style Goulash

A comforting and hearty dish combining southern flavors with classic pasta, perfect for family dinners or meal prepping.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 35 minutes mins

Total Time 45 minutes mins

Servings: 6 servings

Course: Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine: American, Southern

Calories: 450

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

Main Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1.5 pounds ground beef
• 2 cups elbow macaroni, uncooked
• 1 15 oz can tomato sauce
• 1 14.5 oz can diced tomatoes (with juices)
• 3 cups beef broth
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1.5 teaspoons paprika
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 0.5 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional)
• 1 tablespoon fresh chopped parsley, for garnish (optional)

Method

 

Preparation

1. Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat.
2. Add the diced onion and cook for 3–4 minutes until softened.
3. Then add the minced garlic and cook for 1 more minute.

Cooking

1. Add the ground beef to the pot and cook until browned, breaking it up as it cooks.
2. Drain any excess grease.
3. Stir in the tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Bring to a simmer.
4. Stir in the uncooked elbow macaroni. Cover the pot and reduce the heat to medium-low.
5. Simmer for 12–15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is tender and the sauce thickens.
6. If using, stir in the shredded cheddar cheese for a creamy finish. Let it sit for 5 minutes before serving to thicken.

Serving

1. Ladle the goulash into bowls and garnish with fresh parsley if desired.

Notes

Store any leftover goulash in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. To reheat, simply warm it on the stove over low heat or in the microwave. Consider adding a splash of beef broth if it has thickened up too much.