2cups(8 ounces) elbow macaroni (gluten-free if desired) (uncooked)
2teaspoonsolive oil
1poundextra-lean ground beef
1mediumonion, chopped
1green bell pepper, chopped
2cans(10-¾ ounces each) tomato soup
2cans(14-ounces each) diced tomatoes
Pinchof cinnamon
Pinchof sugar
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
Cook macaroni according to package directions; drain.
Meanwhile heat oil in a large skillet, or dutch oven, over medium heat. Stir the ground beef, onion, and pepper into the skillet, breaking up the beef into small pieces. Season with salt and pepper.
Cook, stirring often, until the beef is no longer pink and the onion and pepper are soft (5-8 minutes).
Stir in the tomatoes, tomato soup, cinnamon, and sugar. Simmer until heated thoroughly.
Stir in the drained macaroni and combine well. (Alternatively, if your skillet isn't quite big enough, stir everything together in the pasta pan.) Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Meat: Though ground beef is traditional, any ground meat— ground turkey, chicken, pork, lamb—may be substituted. It could also be made vegetarian with the addition of meatless veggie crumbles. If you are watching WW Points opt for extra lean ground beef.Pasta shape: Elbow macaroni noodles are traditional in this easy recipe but any small cut of pasta will work. Gluten-free pasta and whole grain / whole wheat pasta are also good choices.Bulkier: To add more volume to your goulash for minimal calories, add more vegetables such as mushrooms, corn, zucchini, etc. or drained canned beans.Thicker: I like to make this old-fashioned Goulash saucy. If you don't, use one can of diced tomatoes instead of two. It also thickens up a lot as it sits to make it ahead of time. Many like it better as leftovers the day after when it has thickened and the flavors have melded.Spicier: There are lots of way to add extra flavor to suit your tastes. Soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, Italian seasoning, tomato paste, paprika, chili powder, garlic powder, etc.Southwestern/Chile Mac: For a spicy southwest/chili mac variation, add 1 cup of drained corn and 1-2 tablespoons chili powder when adding the tomatoes.Cheesy: Stir in or top with your favorite grated or shredded cheese. (A cup of cheddar cheese or Parmesan cheese would be yummy.)Italian American Goulash: Substitute marinara sauce or another tomato-based sauce for the tomato soup and Italian sausage for the ground beef.Vegetarian/Vegan: Substitute your favorite ground plant based crumbles for the ground beef.Click here to see your WW Points for this recipe and track it in the WW app or site.9*SmartPoints (Green plan)9*SmartPoints (Blue plan)5*SmartPoints (Purple plan) (with whole grain macaroni)9*PointsPlus (Old plan)
Nutrition Facts
Easy American Hamburger Goulash
Amount Per Serving (1 cup)
Calories 354Calories from Fat 68
% Daily Value*
Fat 7.5g12%
Saturated Fat 2.3g12%
Cholesterol 67mg22%
Carbohydrates 42.5g14%
Fiber 4.4g18%
Sugar 13.8g15%
Protein 29.8g60%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.