Crockpot American goulash
There’s nothing like coming home to the smell of a hearty meal simmering in the crockpot, and this Crock Pot American Goulash is comfort food at its best.
Equipment
- 6-quart crockpot
Ingredients
- 2 lbs lean ground beef
- 2 medium green bell peppers (seeded and chopped)
- 1 large onion (chopped)
- 3 garlic cloves (minced)
- 3 cups beef broth (add more if needed)
- 32 oz pasta sauce (32 oz jar)
- 28 oz petite diced tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 ½ tablespoons Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 bay leaf
- 2 ½ cups elbow macaroni (uncooked)
- 1 cup cheddar cheese (shredded)
For Serving:
- Chopped parsley and extra shredded cheese
Instructions
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and cook the ground beef until it’s no longer pink, breaking it into small pieces as it cooks. Drain off any excess grease.
- Transfer the cooked beef to your crockpot. Add bell peppers, onion, garlic, beef broth, pasta sauce, diced tomatoes, Worcestershire sauce, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and the bay leaf. Stir well to mix.
- Cover and cook on Low for 5–6 hours or High for 2–3 hours.
- About 30 minutes before serving, remove the bay leaf and stir in the uncooked macaroni. Make sure the pasta is submerged in the liquid. Continue cooking until the pasta is tender, stirring once or twice to prevent sticking.
- Once the pasta is cooked, stir in the shredded cheddar cheese until melted and creamy. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Garnish with chopped parsley and extra cheese before serving.
Notes
- For richer flavor, try browning the onions and peppers with the beef before adding to the crockpot.
- Add the pasta toward the end of cooking so it doesn’t get mushy. Stir once midway through the last 30 minutes to ensure even cooking.
- To make this a freezer meal, prepare everything except the pasta, freeze in a bag, and cook in the crockpot later. Add pasta fresh when reheating.
- Leftovers often taste even better the next day as the flavors deepen overnight.
Nutrition
Calories: 463kcalCarbohydrates: 52gProtein: 38gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0.4gCholesterol: 84mgSodium: 1231mgPotassium: 1311mgFiber: 6gSugar: 12gVitamin A: 977IUVitamin C: 43mgCalcium: 204mgIron: 7mg
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