American Goulash

Description:

Despite the name, American goulash has little in common with its European counterpart. Goulash first arrived in the US in the early 20th century, along with Hungarian immigrants to the country. Over time, this recipe was adapted to be made with whatever ingredients were affordable and on-hand; thus, why ground beef and Italian pasta are central ingredients in this dish.

(Source: Tasting Table)

Ingredients:

(4 servings)

·       ½ box elbow macaroni

·       ½ lb ground beef (250 g)

·       1 tbsp oil (15 ml)

·       ½ medium onion diced

·       2 cloves garlic minced

·       2 cups crushed tomatoes

·       1 tsp paprika (6 g)

·       Salt & pepper

Preparation:

Heat a large pan over medium high and add the oil. Break up ground beef with a spoon and cook until browned. Remove beef and save fat in the pan. Reduce heat to medium, then add the onion and garlic. Sautée for 5-10 minutes until vegetables soften. Add the meat back to the pan and add the tomatoes, paprika and season to taste with salt & pepper.

Boil the pasta in a pot of water per the package directions. When done, mix with the sauce and serve immediately.

Notes:

• You can use any type of short, hollow pasta for this recipe.

• Bell peppers and cheese are common additions to this recipe.