Lunch Lady American Goulash is the definition of throwback comfort food. Do you remember having this in your elementary school cafeteria? I thought it was a well known childhood core-memory but my husband doesn’t remember having it, do you? I loved it so much and finally turned it into a weeknight dinner. There is just something special about ground beef, elbow macaroni perfectly cooked in a thick tomato base. It’s a simple one-pot meal that brings so much happiness.
American Goulash
Like most American dishes, this one is an adaptation based from the Hungarian goulash that was a stew made from meat and vegetables. Overtime, the American version has turned into a one-pot meal that is usually made with ground beef, onion, macaroni and has a tomato base.
What you will need
This recipe keeps with the American goulash tradition.
- Ground Beef, I have not tested this recipe with ground turkey or chicken, if you want to make it with those, you made need to taste and add additional seasoning, because ground turkey and ground chicken are leaner with less fat, they always require additional seasoning.
- White Onion, diced small. Here is a video tutorial on how to quickly and efficiently dice an onion.
- Elbow Macaroni, it will go into the pan uncooked (wooohoo for one-pot dishes) and as it cooks the starch will help create the tomato base for the goulash.
- Pantry Seasonings, Oregano, Garlic Powder, Worcestershire Sauce
- Crushed Tomatoes and Tomato Paste, tomatoes are the reason this dish takes more than 30 minutes, all tomato based recipes should simmer for at least 40 minutes to help the tomatoes break down for their best flavors.
- Sharp Cheddar Cheese, freshly grated off the block is the best.
- Beef Stock, optional or you can use water
- Fresh Parsley, to garnish
It may be better the next day?
This Lunch Lady American Goulash may be better the next day. Take it for lunch or save some for leftover night because this HITS the spot. Cold out of the refrigerator or reheated, it’s just good. It total obsession.
Lunch Lady American Goulash
Ingredients
- 1 lb Ground Beef
- ½ medium Onion - small diced
- 2 TBSP Oregano
- 1 TBSP Garlic Powder
- 2 TBSP Worcestershire Sauce
- 28 oz Canned Crushed Tomatoes
- 6 oz Tomato Paste
- 2 tsp Salt
- 1 cup Beef Stock or Water
- 1 cup Water
- 1 cup Uncooked Elbow Macaroni
- 1 cup Sharp Cheddar Cheese - shredded
- Fresh Parsley for Garnish
Instructions
- In a large oven-safe pan over medium heat, add the ground beef, dicd onion, oregano, and garlic powder. Brown the ground beef and sauté the diced onion until soft and translucent.1 lb Ground Beef, ½ medium Onion - small diced, 2 TBSP Oregano, 1 TBSP Garlic Powder
- Once brown, add in the Worcestershire sauce, crushed tomatoes and tomato paste and salt. Stir to combine throughly. Simmer over low-medium heat for 10 minutes, stir occasionally.2 TBSP Worcestershire Sauce, 28 oz Canned Crushed Tomatoes, 6 oz Tomato Paste, 2 tsp Salt
- Add in beef stock and ½ cup of water. Bring up to a boil.1 cup Beef Stock or Water, 1 cup Water
- Add in the elbow macaroni. Cook over medium heat until the noodles are cooked through, about 10 minutes. Add more water if the mixture is getting too thick. You may also need to add another pinch or two of salt.Preheat the oven to 400F.1 cup Uncooked Elbow Macaroni
- Top the goulash with shredded cheddar cheese and bake at 400F for 20 minutes.1 cup Sharp Cheddar Cheese - shredded
- Add freshly chopped parsley for a pop of color.
