A hearty and flavorful one-pot meal filled with tender beef, elbow macaroni, and a rich tomato sauce—perfect for cozy family dinners!
Ingredients:
- 1 lb ground beef (or ground turkey)
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce
- 1 (15 oz) can diced tomatoes (with juice)
- 3 cups beef broth (or water)
- 1 cup tomato juice (or more broth)
- 1 ½ teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
- 1 ½ cups elbow macaroni (uncooked)
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional, for topping)
- Fresh parsley or basil for garnish (optional)
Instructions:
- Cook the Beef & Aromatics
- In a large pot or deep skillet, brown the ground beef over medium heat. Drain excess grease if needed.
- Add diced onions and cook until softened (about 3 minutes).
- Stir in garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Simmer the Sauce
- Pour in the tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, beef broth, and tomato juice.
- Add Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes. Stir to combine.
- Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Cook the Pasta
- Add the uncooked elbow macaroni directly into the pot. Stir well.
- Cover and let it cook for about 12-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is tender.
- If the mixture thickens too much, add a little extra broth or water as needed.
- Finish & Serve
- Remove from heat and stir in shredded cheese (if using) until melted and creamy.
- Garnish with fresh parsley or basil for extra flavor.
- Serve hot and enjoy with crusty bread or a side salad!
✨ Pro Tip: Letting the goulash sit for 10 minutes after cooking enhances the flavors even more!
