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Easy Classic Goulash with Ground Beef

The best old fashioned American goulash recipe! Easy, cheesy baked goulash with ground beef, macaroni, and rich tomato sauce—perfect comfort food.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Oven Bake Time 20 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Course dinner, Main Course
Cuisine American
Calories 520 kcal

Equipment

  • Stove-Top to Oven Safe Skillet or Casserole Baking Pan

Ingredients
  

  • 1 box Macaroni noodles cooked 3 minutes less than the package directions
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 small onion diced
  • 1-2 pounds ground beed lean or 80/20
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 2 15-oz can tomato sauce
  • 2 15-oz cans diced tomatoes
  • 1 cup cheddar cheese
  • sea salt for topping
  • ground black pepper for topping
  • parsley leaves chopped

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 350°F.
  • Cook macaroni 3 minutes less than package directions. Drain and set aside.
  • In a large skillet over medium heat, sauté onions in olive oil.
  • Add ground beef and brown completely.
  • Stir in garlic, Italian seasoning, and Worcestershire sauce. Sauté 45 seconds until fragrant.
  • Add tomato paste, tomato sauce, and diced tomatoes. Stir to combine.
  • Fold in macaroni noodles and cheddar cheese.
  • Cover and bake at 350°F for 20 minutes.
  • If skillet is not oven-safe, transfer mixture to a baking dish and cover with foil.
  • Let rest 5–10 minutes before serving.
  • Generously sprinkle sea salt, ground black pepper, and parsley. Enjoy!

Notes

Nutritional Information (Per Serving)

Serving Size: About 1 ½ cups
Servings: 8
Nutrient Amount Per Serving
Calories ~520 kcal
Protein 29 g
Carbohydrates 36 g
Fiber 5 g
Sugar 10 g
Total Fat 28 g
Saturated Fat 11 g
Cholesterol 85 mg
Sodium ~980 mg*
Potassium ~780 mg
Calcium 180 mg
Iron 4 mg
*Sodium will vary depending on tomato products, Worcestershire sauce, added sea salt, and cheese brand.

Notes:

  • Using 1 pound of ground beef instead of 1½ pounds lowers calories to approximately 445 per serving.
  • Using lean ground turkey (93%) reduces fat to about 18g per serving.
  • Reducing cheese to ½ cup lowers calories by about 55 per serving.
  • Using whole wheat pasta increases fiber to about 7g per serving.
Keyword goulash, ground beef, one-pot, quick dinner