There are just some foods that exude that downhome, memory-making comfort like no other. Ring the dinner bell, Elementary Goulash will take you back to your school days… just in a slightly more grown-up and delicious way. When you add perfectly seasoned ground beef into an amazing Italian-spiced tomato sauce and combine it with the always-reliable elbow macaroni, you’ll have cooked up a recollection of days gone by that your tastebuds will thank you for. Raise your hand for the Elementary Goulash that will definitely transport you back to your childhood. We unanimously give this one an A+ for taste, comfort, and for attendance at the dinner table. It surely always makes the grade!
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 bell peppers, diced
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/2 cup red wine
- 1 (28-ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 bay leaves, optional
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
- 1/2 cup water
- 2 cups elbow macaroni
- salt, to taste
Directions
Step 1 –In a large stockpot over medium heat, add the oil, the onion, and the garlic and sauté until the onions are translucent, about 1-2 minutes.
Step 2 –Add the bell peppers to the onion mixture and sauté, about 2 minutes.
Step 3 –Add the ground beef to the onion mixture and cook, while crumbling, until the beef is no longer pink, about 5-7 minutes.
Step 4 –Add the red wine to the ground beef mixture and stir to dissolve any browned bits from the bottom of the pot.
Step 5 –Add the diced tomatoes, the tomato sauce, the soy sauce, the bay leaves, the oregano, the basil, the crushed red pepper, and the water to the ground beef mixture and stir to combine.
Step 6 –Cover the stockpot and bring to a boil.
Step 7 –Reduce the heat to low, and simmer the ground beef mixture, stirring occasionally, about 30 minutes.
Step 8 –Add the macaroni to the ground beef mixture and stir to combine.
Step 9 –Cover the stockpot and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the macaroni is tender, about 10-12 minutes.
Step 10 –Taste the goulash and season with the salt.
Step 11 –Remove and discard the bay leaves from the goulash.
Step 12 –Serve.
