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Creamy Midwest Loaded Goulash

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A comforting and creamy one-pot Midwest goulash loaded with tender pasta, savory ground beef, melty cheddar cheese, and a handful of veggies. Perfect for quick and easy family dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb ground beef (85% lean recommended)
  • 2 cups dry elbow macaroni (about 8 ounces)
  • 1 yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 15 ounces tomato sauce
  • 14.5 ounces canned diced tomatoes, undrained
  • 2 cups beef broth
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (sharp or mild)
  • 1 green bell pepper, diced (optional)
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil or vegetable oil

Instructions

  1. Heat the skillet over medium-high heat and add 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Once shimmering, add the chopped onion and sauté for about 3-4 minutes until translucent and slightly golden.
  2. Add the minced garlic and diced green bell pepper (if using). Cook for another 1-2 minutes, stirring frequently to avoid burning the garlic.
  3. Add the ground beef to the skillet. Break it up with your spoon and cook until browned and no longer pink, about 7-8 minutes. Drain any excess fat if needed.
  4. Stir in the tomato sauce and diced tomatoes along with their juice. Add the beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
  5. Add the dry elbow macaroni directly into the simmering sauce. Stir to combine and ensure the pasta is submerged as much as possible.
  6. Cover the pan and reduce the heat to medium-low. Let everything cook for about 12-15 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes to prevent sticking. The pasta should be tender and have absorbed much of the liquid.
  7. Once the pasta is cooked, stir in the heavy cream and half of the shredded cheddar cheese. Mix until the cheese melts into the sauce, creating that signature creamy texture.
  8. Sprinkle the remaining cheddar cheese on top, cover the pan, and let it sit for 3-5 minutes off the heat to melt the cheese completely.
  9. Give everything a final stir before serving. Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt or pepper if needed.

Notes

If the sauce gets too thick before the pasta is done, add a splash more beef broth or water to loosen it up. Stir pasta gently but regularly to prevent sticking and breaking noodles. Use sharp cheddar for better melt and flavor. Leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to 3 days; add liquid when reheating to loosen sauce. Freezing is possible but may affect pasta texture.

Nutrition

Keywords: goulash, creamy goulash, one-pot dinner, ground beef recipe, easy weeknight meal, comfort food, cheddar cheese, pasta dinner

Find it online: https://tastytuck.com/creamy-midwest-loaded-goulash-recipe-easy-one-pot-dinner-idea/