05/21/2026
This is the ultimate cheap, easy, old-fashioned comfort food! 👇
Growing up, my mom made this
Classic American dish
at least once a week.
Some people call it Goulash,
some call it Slumgullion,
and others swear it is
American Chop Suey.
Whatever you call it,
it is absolutely delicious. ❤️
It all cooks in ONE pot,
uses cheap ground beef,
and the elbow macaroni soaks up
all that incredible savory
tomato flavor.
It is the perfect cozy dinner
when you don't have a lot of time
(or money) to spend in the kitchen!
Old-Fashioned One-Pot Goulash:
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🛒 WHAT YOU NEED:
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⇒ 1 lb elbow macaroni
⇒ 2 lbs ground beef
⇒ 1 medium onion (chopped)
⇒ 3 cloves garlic (minced)
⇒ 2 cans (15 oz each) tomato sauce
⇒ 2 cans (14.5 oz each)
petite diced tomatoes
⇒ 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
⇒ 1 ½ tbsp Italian seasoning
⇒ 2 tsp salt & ½ tsp black pepper
⇒ 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
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🍽️ HOW TO MAKE IT:
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1️⃣ Prep the Pasta:
Boil your macaroni in salted water.
Drain it about 3 minutes before
it is fully soft (it will finish
cooking in the sauce later!).
2️⃣ Brown the Beef:
In a large, oven-safe skillet
over medium-high heat,
cook the ground beef and
chopped onion until no pink remains.
Drain the excess grease.
3️⃣ Add the Garlic:
Toss in the minced garlic.
Let it cook for about one minute
until it smells amazing.
4️⃣ The Rich Sauce:
Pour in your tomato sauce,
diced tomatoes, Worcestershire sauce,
Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
Give everything a really good stir.
5️⃣ Bring it Together:
Fold your cooked macaroni and
the shredded cheddar cheese
directly into the skillet.
6️⃣ Bake to Perfection:
Pop the whole skillet into a
350°F oven for 20 to 25 minutes
until the edges are bubbling
and the cheese is fully melted!
(Note: If your skillet isn't oven-safe,
just transfer everything to a
standard 9x13 baking dish!)
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💡 PRO TIPS:
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🔹 Salt the Water:
Adding a little salt to the
boiling water gives the macaroni
a perfect, light seasoning!
🔹 Get Color on the Beef:
Don't rush browning the meat.
Cooking the beef until it is
deeply browned is the secret
to getting the most flavor!
🔹 No Time to Bake?
If you are in a rush, you can
skip the oven entirely!
Just simmer it all on the stove
until the cheese is melted
and everything is piping hot.
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⏱️ Prep: 15 min | Cook: 30 min
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💾 SAVE this recipe for a busy weeknight!
💬 Let's settle the debate:
Do you call this Goulash, Slumgullion, or American Chop Suey? 👇
