Old-Fashioned Goulash Recipe: A Hearty Comfort Classic

Hearty Hungarian goulash warms souls on chilly evenings with its robust flavors and rich culinary heritage.

Tender beef chunks simmer slowly, absorbing deep paprika-infused notes that dance across your palate.

Generations of home cooks have perfected this classic comfort dish through careful technique and passion.

Traditional methods blend simple ingredients into something truly magical and satisfying.

Paprika provides a vibrant smokiness that distinguishes authentic goulash from ordinary stews.

Each spoonful carries memories of rural kitchens and rustic cooking traditions.

You’ll find this recipe connects you directly to central European comfort food culture.

Let’s uncover the secrets of making an unforgettable meal that feels like a warm embrace.

Everything Needed for Old Fashioned Goulash

• Ground Beef: A hearty base that provides rich, deep flavor and protein to the goulash.

• Onion: Adds sweet and savory depth to the dish, creating a robust flavor foundation.
• Garlic: Brings aromatic intensity and warmth to the overall taste profile.

• Tomato Sauce: Provides a smooth, rich tomato base that helps bind the goulash together.
• Diced Tomatoes: Adds texture and bright, tangy tomato flavor to the dish.
• Beef Broth: Enhances the meaty flavor and helps create a moist, saucy consistency.
• Elbow Macaroni: Classic pasta shape that absorbs flavors and adds satisfying texture.

• Salt: Essential for balancing and enhancing all the flavors in the goulash.
• Black Pepper: Adds a mild heat and subtle spiciness to the dish.
• Paprika: Traditional Hungarian spice that gives goulash its signature warm, slightly sweet flavor.
• Dried Oregano: Introduces an herbal note that complements the tomato and beef.

Easy Method to Make Old Fashioned Goulash

Step 1: Brown the Ground Beef

Heat a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add ground beef and cook until it turns a rich brown color. Use a wooden spoon to break the meat into small, even crumbles as it sizzles.

Step 2: Manage the Meat’s Moisture

Carefully drain off the excess grease, keeping just a thin layer of fat in the pot to enhance flavor and prevent sticking. This helps create a cleaner, more concentrated meat base for your goulash.

Step 3: Create the Flavor Foundation

• Diced onions
• Minced garlic
• Salt
• Black pepper

Sauté the ingredients until the onions become translucent and fragrant, stirring constantly to prevent burning.

Step 4: Build the Sauce

• Tomato sauce
• Diced tomatoes
• Beef broth

Stir the liquid ingredients thoroughly to combine with the meat and create a rich, hearty sauce.

Step 5: Add Pasta and Simmer

Mix in elbow macaroni, ensuring it’s completely submerged in the liquid. Cover the pot and let it simmer on low heat. Stir occasionally to prevent the pasta from sticking and ensure even cooking.

Step 6: Final Touch and Serve

Cook until the pasta is tender and has absorbed most of the liquid. The goulash should have a thick, comforting consistency. Remove from heat and let it rest for a few minutes before serving hot.

Smart Cooking Tips for Old Fashioned Goulash

• Drain Thoroughly: Remove excess grease completely to prevent a greasy texture and reduce unnecessary calories in your goulash.
• Choose Lean Meat: Select 85% or 90% lean ground beef for a healthier dish that still maintains rich flavor and juiciness.
• Season Smartly: Add salt and pepper while browning meat to enhance its natural taste and create deeper flavor layers.
• Control Moisture: Break meat into small, uniform pieces while cooking to ensure even browning and prevent clumping.
• Pan Temperature Matters: Use medium heat to brown ground beef gradually, allowing it to develop a delicious caramelized exterior without burning.

How to Store and Reheat Old Fashioned Goulash

• Store leftover goulash in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping it fresh in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
• Place a single serving in a microwave-safe dish, cover with a damp paper towel, and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval until thoroughly warm.
• Pour goulash into a saucepan, add a splash of water or broth to prevent sticking, and warm over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally until heated through.
• Transfer cooled goulash to freezer-safe containers, leaving some space for expansion, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

What Tastes Great with Old Fashioned Goulash

• Robust Hungarian wines like Egri Bikavér (Bull's Blood) complement the rich, meaty flavors of goulash perfectly, enhancing its deep, hearty profile.
• Warm, rustic sourdough or traditional Hungarian bread provides the ideal vehicle for soaking up the savory sauce, adding delightful texture and maximizing flavor absorption.
• A crisp, cool cucumber salad with sour cream and dill cuts through the goulash's richness, creating a refreshing balance that cleanses the palate between bites.
• A smooth, malty Hungarian dark beer like Dreher Classic balances the dish's intense flavors, offering a smooth and satisfying drinking experience that matches the goulash's rustic character.

Variations to Try with Old Fashioned Goulash

• Vegetarian Goulash: Replace ground beef with plant-based crumbles or diced mushrooms for a hearty meat-free version. Add extra beans for protein boost.
• Gluten-Free Adaptation: Use gluten-free pasta or replace pasta with cauliflower rice to ensure the dish meets dietary restrictions.
• Low-Carb Option: Swap traditional pasta with zucchini noodles or spaghetti squash to reduce carbohydrate content while maintaining flavor profile.
• Mediterranean-Inspired Variation: Incorporate oregano, olives, and feta cheese to give the goulash a Mediterranean touch, creating a unique flavor experience.

Why Old Fashioned Goulash Feels Like Home

• Utilize affordable ingredients like ground beef and pantry staples to create a delicious, filling meal that won't break the bank.
• Packed with familiar flavors and a rich, meaty sauce that appeals to children and adults alike, making mealtime a stress-free experience.
• Minimize cleanup with this single-pot recipe that combines all ingredients in one pan, saving time on dishes and kitchen prep.

Old Fashioned Goulash Recipe

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4.7 from 16 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Hearty Hungarian goulash enchants with robust flavors of tender beef, paprika-rich sauce, and comforting pasta. Simmered slowly and served steaming, this classic dish transports diners straight to Budapest’s welcoming kitchens with authentic, soul-warming goodness.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 1 lb (450 g) ground beef

Herbs and Seasonings:

• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• ½ tsp salt (adjust to taste)
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

Vegetables and Base Ingredients:

• 1 medium onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 can (15 ounces / 425 g) tomato sauce
• 1 can (14.5 ounces / 411 g) diced tomatoes, undrained
• 1 ½ cups (360 ml) beef broth
• 2 cups (200 g) uncooked elbow macaroni

Garnish and Optional Topping:

• 1 cup (100 g) shredded cheddar cheese (optional, for topping)
• Chopped parsley (optional, for garnish)

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Instructions

1. Warm a spacious Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot over medium flame, creating an ideal searing environment for the ground beef.
2. Introduce the ground beef into the heated vessel, allowing it to caramelize and develop rich, deep flavors while systematically breaking apart the meat with a sturdy cooking utensil.
3. Once the beef transforms to a deep brown color and releases its aromatic essence, carefully eliminate surplus rendered fat, preserving a thin, flavorful layer that will enhance the dish’s overall taste profile.
4. With the meat perfectly prepared, transition the cooking process by adding aromatics that will build the goulash’s complex flavor foundation.
5. Incorporate diced onions and minced garlic, stirring continuously to prevent burning and ensure even distribution of these fragrant ingredients throughout the meat.
6. Pour in tomato sauce and diced tomatoes, creating a robust liquid base that will marry the beef and seasonings into a harmonious mixture.
7. Sprinkle in Hungarian paprika, salt, and black pepper, gently folding these spices to distribute them evenly and awaken their distinctive flavor notes.
8. Allow the mixture to simmer gently, uncovered, enabling the ingredients to meld and intensify their collective taste, stirring occasionally to prevent potential scorching.
9. Introduce uncooked elbow macaroni directly into the simmering sauce, letting the pasta absorb the rich, seasoned liquid and become tender.
10. Continue cooking until the pasta reaches perfect al dente consistency and the sauce thickens to a luxurious, comforting texture.
11. Remove from heat and let the goulash rest briefly, allowing flavors to further consolidate before serving in warm, inviting bowls.

Notes

• Swap ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for a leaner, lighter version of the classic goulash.
• Add a splash of red wine during browning to enhance the meat’s depth of flavor and create a richer sauce base.
• Experiment with different pasta shapes like rotini or shells to catch more sauce and add textural variety to the dish.
• For a gluten-free option, replace traditional pasta with cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles while maintaining the hearty goulash essence.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Hungarian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 420
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 40 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg