American Goulash Recipe (One-Pot Classic)

Heat the olive oil in a large stock pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the onions and sauté for 5-6 minutes, or until starting to soften and turn translucent. Then, add the bell pepper and cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring often. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute.

Reduce the heat to medium and add the salt, pepper, and paprika to the veggies. Mix well.

Add the ground beef to the pot. Use a wooden spatula to break apart the meat into small crumbles. Stir frequently and continue to cook until meat is browned. Optional: Drain excess grease from the pot.

Add the Italian seasoning, Worcestershire sauce, and tomato paste. Mix well to combine and cook over medium heat for a minute or so. Stir in the tomato sauce and diced tomatoes and bring to a simmer. Add the bay leaves, cover, and reduce the heat to low. Simmer for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent burning.

Stir in the broth and elbow macaroni, cover, and simmer for approximately 15 minutes, or until noodles are cooked to al dente. Stir every couple of minutes to prevent the noodles from sticking to the bottom of the pot.

Remove from heat and stir in the shredded cheese. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley, if desired. Enjoy!