Description
A hearty, budget-friendly American-style goulash combining ground beef, egg noodles, and a rich tomato-cheese sauce. This one-pot wonder is kid-approved, customizable, and perfect for meal prep.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 lbs ground beef (80/20 lean-to-fat ratio)
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 cup beef broth or water
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 8 oz egg noodles
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 medium bell pepper, diced (optional)
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add egg noodles and cook according to package directions until al dente (4-6 minutes). Drain and rinse briefly with cool water to prevent sticking; set aside.
- While noodles cook, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and break it up with a wooden spoon. Cook until browned and no longer pink (5-7 minutes). Drain excess grease, leaving a little for flavor.
- Add diced onion (and bell pepper if using) to the beef. Cook for 3-4 minutes until soft and translucent. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Stir in tomato paste and cook for 1 minute. Add tomato sauce, beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, oregano, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine.
- Bring sauce to a simmer, then reduce heat to low. Simmer uncovered for 10 minutes to thicken and meld flavors.
- Add drained egg noodles to the skillet with the sauce. Stir gently to coat evenly. Remove skillet from heat.
- Gradually stir in shredded cheddar cheese until melted and creamy. Use residual heat to melt the cheese smoothly.
- Taste and adjust seasoning. Serve immediately, optionally topped with extra cheese or fresh parsley.
Notes
For best results, shred your own cheese as pre-shredded cheese contains anti-caking agents that prevent smooth melting. Do not overcook the noodles; rinse them with cool water to stop the cooking process and prevent clumping. The sauce should simmer for at least 10 minutes to thicken properly. This dish freezes well for up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 6
- Sodium: 650
- Fat: 20
- Saturated Fat: 10
- Carbohydrates: 40
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 25
Keywords: cheesy ground beef goulash, budget meals, family dinner, easy weeknight recipes, comfort food, meal prep, ground beef recipes, egg noodles