Hearty Michael Symon American Goulash Recipe: Comfort in a Bowl

Michael Symon’s american goulash bursts with nostalgic comfort, transforming humble ingredients into a mouthwatering masterpiece.

This one-pot wonder captures the essence of home-style cooking with its rich, hearty flavors.

Ground beef takes center stage, dancing with tender pasta and aromatic spices that awaken your taste buds.

Shallots and garlic weave a magical spell, creating depth and complexity in every single bite.

The recipe’s simplicity belies its incredible taste, making it a perfect weeknight dinner solution.

Gluten-free and incredibly satisfying, this goulash promises to become a family favorite that everyone will crave.

Get ready to fall in love with a dish that turns ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary culinary experience.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes

Total Time: 55 minutes

Calories: 400 kcal

Servings: 4

Ingredients in Michael Symon’s American Goulash

• Ground Beef: Choose lean cuts for less grease and richer flavor.
• Minced Garlic: Fresh garlic provides more intense aromatics than pre-chopped.
• Chopped Onion: Sweet onions add depth and natural sweetness to the dish.

• Black Pepper: Freshly ground offers more robust taste.
• Worcestershire Sauce: Adds tangy umami complexity to the meat.
• Seasoned Salt: Homemade blend provides more balanced flavor profile.

• Tomato Sauce: Select ripe, vine-ripened tomato varieties for deeper richness.
• Diced Tomatoes: Look for fire-roasted options for smoky undertones.
• Italian Seasoning: Dried herb blend creates authentic Mediterranean essence.
• Bay Leaf: Whole leaf infuses subtle earthy notes during simmering.
• Elbow Macaroni: Choose high-quality pasta for perfect al dente texture.

Tools Needed for American Goulash

• Large pan or Dutch oven: Perfect for browning meat and simmering sauce.
• Wooden spoon: Essential for breaking up ground beef and stirring ingredients.
• Cutting board: Needed for chopping onions and preparing ingredients.
• Chef's knife: Sharp tool for mincing garlic and dicing vegetables.
• Measuring spoons: Helps add precise amounts of seasonings.
• Measuring cup: Useful for measuring tomato sauce accurately.
• Stirring utensil: Helps blend ingredients and prevent sticking during cooking.

How to Make American Goulash

• Fire Up the Skillet

Crank up a large pan to medium-high heat. Break down ground beef with a wooden spoon, letting it sizzle and separate into delicious crumbles.

• Infuse with Flavor Bombs

Splash in zesty Worcestershire sauce and sprinkle bold seasonings. Let the meat transform into a rich, caramelized base with deep golden edges.

• Build the Sauce Symphony

Pour in vibrant tomato sauce and juicy diced tomatoes. Drop in a secret bay leaf for an aromatic twist. Allow ingredients to dance and meld together, creating a robust flavor profile that tingles taste buds.

• Pasta Fusion Magic

Introduce elbow macaroni directly into the simmering sauce. Stir frequently, letting pasta absorb all the incredible flavors. Watch as the dish transforms into a creamy, comforting masterpiece that hugs every noodle.

• Final Flavor Flourish

Lower heat and let everything bubble gently. Taste and adjust seasonings, ensuring each bite delivers maximum deliciousness. Pluck out the bay leaf and serve steaming hot, ready to satisfy serious comfort food cravings.

Flavor Variations for Symon’s American Goulash

• Meat Modification: Swap ground beef with ground turkey, lean chicken, or plant-based crumbles for a healthier protein option that keeps the dish flavorful and nutritious.
• Cheese Creativity: Experiment with different cheese blends like sharp cheddar, pepper jack, or smoked gouda to add extra depth and personalized taste to the classic recipe.
• Veggie Boost: Sneak in extra nutrition by adding diced bell peppers, zucchini, or spinach during the meat cooking stage for increased vitamins and texture.
• Spice It Up: Kick the heat level by adding red pepper flakes, a dash of cayenne, or chopped jalapeños for those who love a spicier comfort food experience.

Serving Tips for Michael Symon’s Goulash

• Garnish with Fresh Herbs: Sprinkle chopped parsley or basil on top for a burst of color and added freshness.
• Cheesy Topping Technique: Sprinkle shredded cheddar or mozzarella cheese over the hot dish, letting it melt beautifully for extra richness.
• Side Dish Companions: Pair with a crisp green salad or steamed vegetables to balance the hearty pasta meal and add nutritional value.
• Bread Pairing Power: Serve alongside garlic bread or buttered toast to soak up the delicious sauce and complete the comfort food experience.

Leftover Goulash Storage Advice

• Preserve Peak Flavor: Store this hearty skillet meal in airtight containers within 2 hours of cooking to maintain its delicious taste and safety.
• Refrigerator Revival: Keep leftovers fresh by transferring to sealed containers, where they'll stay tasty for 3-4 days when chilled at 40°F or below.
• Freezer-Friendly Strategy: Portion the skillet meal into freezer-safe containers, removing excess air to prevent freezer burn. Freeze for up to 3 months, ensuring maximum flavor retention.
• Reheating Magic: Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then warm gently in a skillet with a splash of beef broth or water to restore moisture and prevent dryness. Stir occasionally to distribute heat evenly and bring back the original creamy texture.

Hearty Michael Symon American Goulash Recipe

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4.9 from 30 reviews

• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Hearty michael symon american goulash delivers comfort through rich, meaty flavors blending traditional Hungarian influences with midwestern warmth. Home cooks can savor this one-pot wonder that brings generations together around a satisfying, peppered meal.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 lb / 454 g lean ground beef
• 1–½ cups chicken or beef broth
• 1 cup uncooked gluten free elbow noodles
• 15 oz / 425 g petite diced tomatoes
• 15 oz / 425 g tomato sauce
• 1 large shallot or small yellow onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, pressed or minced
• 2 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1 tsp homemade seasoned salt
• 1 dash additional seasoned salt
• 8 shakes gluten free worcestershire sauce (approximately ½ tbsp)
• 1 bay leaf
• Pepper to taste

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Instructions

1. Sauté Protein: In a large skillet, combine ground beef, minced garlic, and chopped shallots over medium-high heat. Crumble meat thoroughly while cooking until uniformly browned.
2. Season and Develop Flavor: Mix in Worcestershire sauce, black pepper, and seasoned salt. Continue cooking to intensify meat’s rich essence and release natural juices.
3. Build Sauce Foundation: Add diced tomatoes, crushed tomato sauce, Italian herb blend, and bay leaf. Increase heat to promote rapid flavor integration and create a robust sauce base.
4. Simmer and Infuse: Reduce temperature to medium-low, allowing sauce to gently bubble. Stir periodically to prevent scorching and enable ingredients to meld harmoniously for approximately 10 minutes.
5. Incorporate Pasta and Finalize: Introduce elbow macaroni, maintaining a soft simmer. Stir consistently to ensure even cooking and prevent pasta clustering. Cook until noodles reach perfect tenderness, about 12-14 minutes. Remove bay leaf, taste, and adjust seasonings as desired.

Notes

• Meat Browning Technique: Crumble ground beef thoroughly and ensure even browning to develop deep, rich flavor profiles and prevent meat clumping.
• Simmering Secret: Maintain a gentle, consistent simmer to help ingredients meld together seamlessly and prevent sauce from burning or becoming too thick.
• Pasta Precision: Stir macaroni frequently during cooking to prevent sticking and achieve perfect al dente texture without overcooking.
• Flavor Layering: Add Worcestershire sauce and herbs early to allow complex taste dimensions to develop throughout the entire cooking process.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 400
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 900 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 44 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 24 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg