Description
A comforting and cheesy beef goulash made with ground beef, a tomato-based sauce seasoned with basil, oregano, and paprika, combined with elbow macaroni and topped with melted cheddar and Parmesan cheese. Perfect for a quick and hearty weeknight meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes
- 1 (6 oz) can tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon tomato sauce or ketchup
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 2 cups elbow macaroni (or any pasta of choice)
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (for cooking)
Instructions
- Brown the beef: Heat a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add olive oil and cook the ground beef, breaking it apart, until browned and fully cooked, about 5-7 minutes.
- Sauté aromatics: Add chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet with the beef. Sauté for 2-3 minutes until the onion is soft and fragrant.
- Make the sauce: Stir in diced tomatoes, tomato paste, tomato sauce or ketchup, dried basil, oregano, paprika, salt, and pepper. Simmer the mixture for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally to let the flavors meld together.
- Cook the pasta: Meanwhile, cook the elbow macaroni according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- Combine pasta and sauce: Once the beef sauce is ready, add the cooked pasta to the skillet and stir to combine. Reduce heat to low.
- Add cheese and melt: Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese and grated Parmesan over the top. Cover the skillet with a lid and cook for 5 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Serve: Serve hot. Optionally, garnish with additional Parmesan cheese if desired.
Notes
- For a spicier version, add red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper along with the other seasonings.
- You can substitute elbow macaroni with any small pasta like penne or rotini.
- Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and can be reheated in the microwave or on the stovetop.
- Use lean ground beef to reduce fat content.
- Adding fresh parsley or basil as a garnish can enhance freshness and flavor.
