Whip Up a Hearty Goulash Recipe in Minutes

Simmering with rich Hungarian goulash flavors, this hearty stew captures the essence of comfort food.

Tender beef chunks dance with robust paprika in a classic goulash delight recipe that promises warmth in every bite.

The deep, rustic aromas transport you straight to the countryside kitchens of Hungary.

Slow-cooked vegetables and succulent meat meld together, creating a symphony of taste that speaks to generations of culinary tradition.

Spices weave their magic, turning simple ingredients into an extraordinary meal.

Each spoonful tells a story of passion and heritage.

Let this goulash become your new go-to dish for soul-satisfying dining.

Crafting Goulash Step by Step

• Meat Foundation

Brown ground meat in a skillet until it develops a rich, golden color and releases its savory essence.

• Aromatic Base

Introduce garlic and onions, letting them dance with the meat and create a fragrant backdrop for the dish.

• Flavor Explosion

Pour in tomato sauce, broth, and a symphony of seasonings that will transform the ordinary into an extraordinary culinary experience.

• Liquid Magic

Allow the mixture to gently bubble and meld flavors, creating a depth that tells a story in every bite.

• Pasta Embrace

Nestle uncooked macaroni into the saucy landscape, letting it absorb the rich, complex flavors surrounding it.

• Cheese Crescendo

Finish with a flourish of melted cheddar and mozzarella, creating a creamy blanket that ties the entire dish together in pure comfort.

Smart Tweaks for Your Goulash

• Meat Magic: Choose lean ground beef or swap with ground turkey for a healthier twist without sacrificing rich flavor.
• Cheese Lover's Dream: Experiment with different cheese blends like pepper jack, smoked gouda, or sharp white cheddar to create unique taste profiles.
• Spice Adventure: Kick up the heat by adding red pepper flakes, chipotle powder, or a dash of hot sauce for those who enjoy a spicier goulash experience.
• Veggie Boost: Toss in diced bell peppers, mushrooms, or zucchini during the vegetable sautéing stage to increase nutritional value and add extra texture.
• One-Pot Wonder: For easier cleanup, use a cast-iron skillet or Dutch oven that can go directly from stovetop to oven, ensuring even heat distribution and minimal dish washing.

The Right Way to Serve Goulash

• Comforting Family Feast: Serve this hearty goulash with warm, crusty bread to soak up the rich, flavorful sauce and create a complete meal that everyone will love.
• Cheesy Topping Adventure: Sprinkle extra shredded cheddar and mozzarella on top just before serving, creating a gooey, irresistible cheese blanket that adds extra indulgence.
• Fresh Green Companion: Pair the goulash with a crisp side salad or steamed green vegetables like broccoli or green beans to balance the dish's richness and add a nutritious touch.
• Spice It Up Option: Offer hot sauce or red pepper flakes on the side for those who enjoy an extra kick, allowing each person to customize their goulash to their preferred spice level.

Goulash Storage Hacks

• Smart Refrigeration Tactics: Store leftover goulash in airtight containers within 2 hours of cooking to maintain freshness and prevent bacterial growth. Keep refrigerated for 3-4 days maximum.
• Freezer-Friendly Strategy: Transfer cooled goulash to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Label with date and contents. Freeze up to 3 months for best quality, ensuring minimal air exposure to prevent freezer burn.
• Reheating Magic: Thaw frozen goulash overnight in the refrigerator. Warm gently in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of beef broth to restore moisture and prevent drying. Stir frequently to distribute heat evenly and maintain creamy texture.
• Portion Control Wisdom: Divide goulash into individual serving sizes before refrigerating or freezing. This approach allows easy single-meal defrosting, reduces waste, and provides convenient grab-and-go lunch or dinner options for busy days.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 50 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes

Calories: 476 kcal

Servings: 7

What’s in Goulash

• Ground Beef: Provides rich, hearty protein foundation with a deep, savory flavor profile.
• Olive Oil: Helps brown meat evenly and adds subtle fruity undertones to the dish.

• Onions, Garlic: Create a robust flavor base that enhances the overall depth of the goulash.

• Water, Beef Broth: Develops a luscious, complex cooking liquid that tenderizes and infuses flavors.
• Tomato Sauce, Diced Tomatoes: Adds vibrant acidity and creates a silky, rich sauce texture.
• Italian Seasoning: Brings herbaceous Mediterranean notes to the dish.
• Adobo Seasoning: Delivers a zesty, slightly smoky background flavor.
• Bay Leaves: Introduces subtle earthy undertones and aromatic complexity.
• Seasoned Salt: Provides balanced, well-rounded saltiness.
• Black Pepper: Offers gentle heat and sharp flavor enhancement.

• Elbow Macaroni: Creates hearty, comforting texture and absorbs delicious sauce.
• Cheddar Cheese: Adds sharp, tangy richness and creamy consistency.
• Mozzarella Cheese: Brings smooth, stretchy melting quality for a luxurious finish.

Kitchen Tools for Goulash Made Simple

• Large Skillet: Essential for cooking and combining all ingredients, providing ample space for sautéing and simmering.
• Wooden Spoon: Perfect for stirring and mixing ingredients without scratching the pan's surface.
• Measuring Cups: Crucial for accurately measuring liquids like water, broth, and sauce.
• Measuring Spoons: Needed for precise seasoning with Italian and Adobo seasonings.
• Cheese Grater: Optional for freshly grating cheddar and mozzarella cheese if desired.
• Cutting Board: Helpful for chopping onions and garlic before cooking.
• Sharp Knife: Necessary for dicing vegetables and preparing ingredients.

Rich Goulash Recipe

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4.9 from 40 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Yield: 7 1x

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Description

Hungarian goulash offers a hearty symphony of tender beef, paprika-infused broth, and robust vegetables simmered to perfection. Comforting flavors transport diners directly to Hungarian countryside kitchens with each savory spoonful.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 lbs (907 g) ground beef or turkey
• 1 large yellow onion, diced
• 3 tsp minced garlic
• 2.5 cups (590 ml) water
• 0.5 cups (118 ml) beef broth
• 0.33 cups (79 ml) olive oil
• 2 (15-oz) cans (850 g) tomato sauce
• 2 (15-oz) cans (850 g) diced tomatoes
• 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
• 1 tbsp Adobo seasoning
• 3 bay leaves
• 1 tbsp seasoned salt
• 0.5 tbsp black pepper
• 2 cups (180 g) elbow macaroni, uncooked
• 1 cup (100 g) shredded mozzarella cheese
• 0.5 cups (50 g) shredded cheddar cheese

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Instructions

1. Sear and Brown: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, transform ground meat into a golden-crusted masterpiece, developing deep, caramelized flavors.
2. Aromatic Foundation: Introduce minced garlic and diced onions to the sizzling meat, drizzling olive oil to amplify the sautéing process and complete the meat’s transformation.
3. Flavor Infusion: Pour water, beef broth, tomato sauce, and diced tomatoes into the skillet, then sprinkle Italian seasoning, Adobo seasoning, bay leaves, seasoned salt, and black pepper to create a robust flavor profile.
4. Simmer and Meld: Reduce heat to a gentle simmer, cover the skillet, and allow the mixture to harmonize its flavors for 20 minutes, occasionally stirring to prevent scorching.
5. Pasta Integration: Fold uncooked elbow macaroni into the simmering sauce, ensuring complete coating, and continue cooking covered for 30 minutes until pasta reaches perfect al dente tenderness.
6. Cheese Finale: Remove bay leaves, then incorporate cheddar cheese to create a creamy texture, topping with melted mozzarella for a luxurious finish.

Notes

• Meat Browning Technique: Ensure ground meat develops a golden crust for enhanced flavor depth and caramelization before adding other ingredients.
• Seasoning Balance: Use Italian and Adobo seasonings strategically to create a complex, layered taste profile without overwhelming the dish.
• Pasta Cooking Tip: Add uncooked macaroni directly into the sauce to absorb flavors and prevent excess water, creating a more concentrated and rich goulash.
• Cheese Melting Secret: Add cheddar cheese off-heat to prevent separation and fold gently for a smooth, creamy texture that coats every bite perfectly.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 50 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Hungarian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 476
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 890 mg
• Fat: 28 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 35 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 24 g
• Cholesterol: 65 mg