🍲 Old-Fashioned Goulash (American Style)

🛒 Ingredients:

• 2 lbs ground beef
• 1 large onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 cans (15 oz each) tomato sauce
• 2 cans (14.5 oz each) diced tomatoes (undrained)
• 3 cups water
• 1 tbsp soy sauce (optional but flavorful!)
• 2 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp salt, or to taste
• ½ tsp black pepper
• 2 cups elbow macaroni, uncooked
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional)

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👩‍🍳 Instructions:

1️⃣ Brown the beef
In a large pot or Dutch oven, cook the ground beef and onion over medium heat until browned. Drain excess fat.

2️⃣ Add flavor
Stir in the garlic and cook 1 minute. Add the tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, water, soy sauce, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and pepper. Stir well and bring to a simmer.

3️⃣ Cook the pasta
Add the uncooked elbow macaroni directly into the pot. Stir, cover, and simmer for 15–20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is tender.

4️⃣ Add cheese (optional)
Stir in cheddar cheese just before serving, or sprinkle on top.

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🍯 Why You’ll Love This Recipe
✔ Budget-friendly
✔ One pot = less mess
✔ Perfect for leftovers
✔ Comforting, nostalgic, and totally satisfying