Old Fashioned Goulash

Whenever my grandma needed to use up a bunch of ingredients from the fridge and pantry, we all knew one of her go-to dishes was goulash. Even though goulash is considered Hungarian in origin, my grandma definitely had her own “Ukrainian” version, or what I consider an “old fashioned goulash.” It was made with beef, macaroni noodles, tomatoes, and a few other staple pantry ingredients.

My grandma’s family was never rich, so when it came to cooking, she used easy, simple ingredients and was very frugal. This goulash allowed her to do just that — to be simple and inexpensive, yet make a comforting, tasty, and filling meal. She always made a large amount of food for the entire family (plus leftovers!).

How to Make Old Fashioned Goulash

Making this old fashioned goulash recipe my grandmother’s way is super simple. She never was a “fancy” cook… but she sure was a delicious one! Plus, the entire dish comes together in about 30 minutes!

• Cook the macaroni: Cook the macaroni noodles for three minutes shy of package instructions. This will prevent the noodles from overcooking and getting too soft in the goulash.
• Brown the beef: Heat a large pan over medium heat, then add the ground beef, diced onion, and minced garlic. Cook for about 10 minutes until the onions are soft and the beef is fully cooked (160°F).
• Simmer the goulash: Add in the tomatoes (diced and sauce) and the Worcestershire sauce. Stir and allow the mixture to simmer for about 15 minutes. Season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning to taste.
• Add the macaroni: Stir in the cooked macaroni noodles and cheese. Enjoy!

Two Tips for the Best Goulash

Goulash is an extremely easy recipe, so there’s really no way to go wrong when making it. Nonetheless, I have two short tips for you that have helped me make it better over the years.

• Use lean ground beef: I recommend using ground beef that is 93% lean or leaner. If you use a higher fat ground beef, make sure to drain and remove some of the excess fat as you go.
• Opt for “no-salt added” canned ingredients: I recommend using the “no salt added” canned tomatoes and tomato sauce. This way, you’re able to better control the seasoning in the recipe.

Sides to Serve with Goulash

This beef goulash has literally everything you need: protein, carbs, and veggies. But it doesn’t have to stop there! I love pairing it with fresh greens, a garden salad, or Caesar salad. It’s also super great served with a basket of warm garlic knots or breadsticks.

Storing & Reheating Goulash

Grandma’s old fashioned goulash stores and reheats super well, so it’s a great option for a lunch to take to work or school. For best results, check out how I store and reheat my goulash. Or, read on to see how to repurpose leftovers in a new dish!

• Refrigerator: Refrigerate leftovers in the fridge for up to five days in an airtight container.
• Reheating: Reheat goulash in the microwave, or in a skillet for larger portions.

Making Leftover Goulash Casserole

Leftover goulash is a gift that keeps on going. My grandma often made enough goulash to have for leftovers, and then repurposed them into something new and exciting — a casserole! It was important for her to reduce food waste (and it still is important to me, too!).

• Transfer the goulash to a baking dish: Move the leftover goulash to an oven-safe baking dish. Feel free to put it all into one big dish or divide it among a few smaller dishes.
• Top the goulash with cheese: Sprinkle the top of the goulash with about ½ cup (or more if you wish) of your favorite shredded cheese (I love shredded mozzarella or Parmesan).
• Bake the goulash: Bake the goulash casserole in a 350°F preheated oven for about 10-15 minutes. The casserole is done when the cheese is melted and golden brown.

More Beef Recipes

• Pressure Cooker Pot Roast — Super tender fall-apart chuck roast
• Carne Asada — Beef marinated in a flavorful citrus marinade, perfect for tacos
• Shish Kabob — Middle-Eastern skewered beef cubes and veggies
• Hunan Beef — Thinly sliced beef tossed with colorful veggies and a spicy sauce

Recipe

Old Fashioned Goulash

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Servings

4 servings

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Recipe contributed by: Natalya Drozhzhin

This old fashioned goulash is my Ukrainian grandma's tasty way of using up tons of ingredients— noodles, ground beef, veggies, and tomato sauce. Give it a go!

Ingredients

• 1 cup uncooked elbow macaroni
• 1 lb ground beef (93% lean or leaner)
• 1 large onion diced
• 2 garlic cloves minced
• 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 15 oz tomato sauce no salt added
• 14 oz diced tomatoes no salt added
• 1 tsp salt adjust to taste
• 1 tsp ground black pepper adjust to taste
• 2 tsp Italian seasoning

US Units – Metric

Instructions

• Cook the macaroni according to package directions, but shorten the cooking time by 3 minutes. Drain and set aside.
  
• Preheat a large pan over medium heat until hot. Add in the ground beef, onion, and garlic. Cook for about 10 minutes until the beef reaches 160°F, crumbling the beef as it cooks.
  
• Add in the Worcestershire sauce, tomato sauce, and diced tomatoes and stir to combine. Allow the sauce to simmer on medium heat for about 15 minutes.
  
• Add in the cooked macaroni. Season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
  
• Stir to combine and enjoy!
  

Nutrition Facts

Old Fashioned Goulash

Amount Per Serving

Calories 484 Calories from Fat 216

% Daily Value*

Fat 24g37%

Saturated Fat 9g45%

Trans Fat 1g

Cholesterol 81mg27%

Sodium 1311mg55%

Potassium 1056mg30%

Carbohydrates 42g14%

Fiber 5g20%

Sugar 10g11%

Protein 27g54%

Vitamin A 604IU12%

Vitamin C 20mg24%

Calcium 109mg11%

Iron 6mg33%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.