One Dish Goulash
A hearty, flavorful one-dish goulash with ground beef, vegetables, and pasta, perfect for a comforting family meal or casual gathering.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Brown ground chuck in an electric skillet; drain excess fat.
- Sprinkle chopped onion, green pepper, garlic powder, salt, pepper, hot sauce, celery, and mushrooms over the meat.
- Cook for about 5 minutes until vegetables are softened.
- Add chopped tomatoes and about 1/2 cup water to the skillet.
- Stir in macaroni shells and frozen corn.
- Simmer on low to medium heat until macaroni shells are tender.
- Adjust spices to taste and serve hot.
Tips & Substitutions
For extra flavor, consider adding a tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce or a teaspoon of smoked paprika. If you're out of green pepper, you can substitute with any bell pepper or even diced zucchini. To make this dish vegetarian, swap the ground chuck for lentils or a meat substitute and use vegetable broth instead of water. This One Dish Goulash is versatile, so feel free to adjust the vegetables based on what you have on hand.
Serving Suggestions
One Dish Goulash is hearty enough to stand alone, but it pairs beautifully with a side salad or some crusty bread to soak up the sauce. Consider serving it alongside a light dessert like Apple Berry Pie for a well-rounded meal. If you want to keep it simple, a sprinkle of grated cheese on top right before serving adds a delicious finish.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm in a saucepan over medium heat, adding a splash of water if it appears dry. You can also microwave portions for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through, until heated thoroughly. This dish also freezes well; just thaw overnight before reheating.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of One Dish Goulash contains roughly 161 calories, with 6g protein, 34g carbohydrates, and 3g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (27% of the Daily Value), and a good source of protein and dietary fiber. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 923mg per serving (40% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a different type of meat for this goulash?
Absolutely! Ground turkey or chicken can be great alternatives for a leaner option. If you're looking for a vegetarian version, consider using lentils or a meat substitute. Just adjust the cooking time as needed to ensure everything is cooked properly.
What can I do if I don't have macaroni shells?
If macaroni shells are unavailable, any small pasta like elbow macaroni, fusilli, or even egg noodles will work perfectly. Just keep an eye on the cooking time as different pasta shapes may require different cooking durations to reach the desired tenderness.
How can I make this dish spicier?
To add more heat, increase the amount of hot sauce or include diced jalapeños or crushed red pepper flakes. You can also experiment with spicy sausage instead of ground chuck for an extra kick. Adjust the spices gradually, tasting as you go to reach your preferred level of spiciness.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).