Description
American Goulash is a comforting and easy-to-make dish featuring macaroni noodles smothered in a flavorful ground sirloin and tomato sauce. This family-friendly recipe combines sautéed onions, green peppers, garlic, and a hearty meat sauce seasoned with oregano, topped with optional parmesan cheese and fresh basil for a satisfying meal that’s perfect for weeknights.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 16 ounces macaroni noodles
Meat Sauce
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 1 green bell pepper, seeded and diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 1/2 pounds ground sirloin
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 32 ounces tomato sauce (or pureed tomatoes)
- 16 ounces diced tomatoes
- Salt and pepper to taste
Garnish (Optional)
- Parmesan cheese
- Fresh basil
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the macaroni noodles and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set it aside.
- Sauté Vegetables: While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large, deep skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion, green bell pepper, minced garlic, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Sauté the mixture until the vegetables are tender and fragrant, approximately 5 to 6 minutes.
- Brown the Ground Beef: Add the ground sirloin and oregano to the skillet with the vegetables. Use a wooden spoon to break the meat into small bite-sized pieces. Cook thoroughly until the beef is golden brown and no longer pink, about 8 to 10 minutes.
- Add Tomatoes and Simmer: Stir in the tomato sauce and diced tomatoes into the browned beef mixture. Reduce the heat slightly and let the sauce heat through, allowing the flavors to meld. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper as needed.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the cooked macaroni noodles to the skillet with the meat sauce. Stir gently to combine all components evenly and heat through for a minute or two.
- Serve and Garnish: Spoon the American Goulash onto plates or bowls. Garnish with freshly grated parmesan cheese and chopped fresh basil leaves if desired. Serve warm and enjoy!
Notes
- American Goulash is a simple macaroni pasta dish made with a hearty meat sauce, making it a perfect family-friendly and crowd-pleasing meal.
- Feel free to swap ground sirloin with ground beef or turkey based on preference.
- For a spicier version, add red pepper flakes while sautéing the vegetables.
- This dish reheats well and can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 456
- Sugar: 9 g
- Sodium: 661 mg
- Fat: 16 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 53 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 58 mg
