Heartwarming Texas Skillet Goulash
This Heartwarming Texas Skillet Goulash is a rich and flavorful dish that epitomizes comfort food, blending hearty ground beef, vibrant vegetables, and satisfying elbow macaroni in a savory tomato sauce. Originally crafted by my mother, I’ve nurtured and adapted this recipe over four decades, incorporating unique flavors like Worcestershire sauce and Heinz 57, which elevate the traditional goulash into a delicious family favorite. Perfect for cozy gatherings or weeknight dinners, this one-dish meal is sure to fill hearts and bellies alike.
4
Servings
N/A
Calories
18
Ingredients
Ingredients
hot water
2 cups (heated)
ground chuck
1 lb (crumbled)
olive oil
1 tablespoon (for sautéing)
onion
1 medium, chopped (chopped)
green bell pepper
1/2 medium, chopped (chopped)
celery
2 stalks, sliced (sliced)
petite diced tomatoes
1 (14.5 oz) can (canned)
tomato sauce
1 (8 oz) can (canned)
garlic cloves
2, minced (minced)
dried basil
1 teaspoon (dried)
dried oregano
1 teaspoon (dried)
salt
1 teaspoon (to taste)
fresh ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon (to taste)
bay leaves
2 small (whole)
ketchup
1 tablespoon (condiment)
Heinz 57 steak sauce
1 tablespoon (condiment)
Worcestershire sauce
2 teaspoons (condiment)
uncooked elbow macaroni
1 cup (uncooked)
Instructions
1
In a saucepan, bring 2 cups of water to a boil over medium heat.
2
While the water heats, in a deep cast iron skillet or a large pot, crumble the ground chuck and cook over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until it is no longer pink. Remove the cooked meat from the skillet, drain any excess fat, and set it aside.
3
Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil to the skillet and heat over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, green bell pepper, and sliced celery. Cook, stirring frequently, until the vegetables are softened, about 5-7 minutes. Then, add the minced garlic and sauté for an additional 2-3 minutes until fragrant.
4
Return the cooked ground chuck to the skillet with the vegetables and pour in the 2 cups of hot water. Add the petite diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, dried basil, oregano, salt, black pepper, bay leaves, ketchup, Heinz 57 steak sauce, and Worcestershire sauce. Stir well to combine.
5
Bring the mixture to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low and let it cook uncovered for about 30-40 minutes, stirring occasionally. If the sauce becomes too thick, add additional water as needed.
6
While the sauce simmers, cook the elbow macaroni according to package directions in the saucepan. Once cooked, drain the macaroni and stir it into the meat and sauce mixture until well combined.
7
Remove bay leaves before serving and enjoy the goulash hot, accompanied by warm, crusty homemade or French bread.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Heartwarming Texas Skillet Goulash?
It is a rich and flavorful comfort food dish blending ground beef, vegetables, and elbow macaroni in a savory tomato sauce.
How many people does this recipe serve?
This recipe yields approximately 4 servings.
What type of ground beef is recommended for this goulash?
The recipe specifically calls for 1 pound of ground chuck.
What unique sauces are used to flavor this dish?
This recipe uses Heinz 57 steak sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and ketchup to create its unique flavor profile.
How long should the goulash simmer?
The mixture should simmer uncovered for about 30 to 40 minutes.
What kind of pasta is used in Texas Skillet Goulash?
The recipe uses 1 cup of uncooked elbow macaroni.
Is the macaroni cooked in the same pan as the meat?
No, the macaroni is cooked separately in a saucepan according to package directions before being stirred into the meat mixture.
Which vegetables are included in the recipe?
The vegetables include one medium chopped onion, half a green bell pepper, two stalks of sliced celery, and minced garlic.
What herbs are used for seasoning?
The recipe uses dried basil, dried oregano, and bay leaves.
Do I need to remove anything from the skillet before serving?
Yes, you should remove the two small bay leaves before serving the dish.
What should I do if the sauce becomes too thick while simmering?
If the sauce is too thick, you can add additional water as needed to reach your desired consistency.
What kind of pan is best for this recipe?
A deep cast iron skillet or a large pot is recommended for cooking the goulash.
Should I drain the fat from the ground beef?
Yes, after browning the meat, you should remove it from the skillet and drain any excess fat.
How long should the garlic be cooked?
The minced garlic should be sautéed for about 2 to 3 minutes until it becomes fragrant.
What are the suggested side dishes for this goulash?
It is best enjoyed hot with warm, crusty homemade or French bread.
What kind of tomatoes are used?
The recipe calls for one 14.5 oz can of petite diced tomatoes.
Is there olive oil in this recipe?
Yes, 1 tablespoon of olive oil is used to sauté the vegetables.
How much water is needed initially?
Two cups of water are brought to a boil to be added to the meat and vegetable mixture.
Can I substitute the ground chuck?
While ground chuck is recommended, you can use other types of ground beef or meat alternatives depending on preference.
How long do the onion and pepper need to sauté?
The onion, green bell pepper, and celery should be cooked for 5 to 7 minutes until softened.
What is the history of this recipe?
It was originally crafted by the author's mother and has been adapted and nurtured over four decades.
What size can of tomato sauce is required?
An 8 oz can of tomato sauce is used in the recipe.
What are the primary tags for this recipe?
Tags include texas goulash, skillet recipe, comfort food, one dish meal, and family recipe.
Is the black pepper fresh or pre-ground?
The recipe suggests using 1/4 teaspoon of fresh ground black pepper.
What temperature should I use for simmering?
After bringing the mixture to a simmer, the heat should be reduced to low.
How much ketchup is in the recipe?
One tablespoon of ketchup is added to the sauce mixture.
Does the recipe require salt?
Yes, 1 teaspoon of salt is included, or you can adjust to taste.
What is the heat setting for browning the beef?
The ground chuck should be cooked over medium-high heat.
How much Worcestershire sauce is used?
The recipe calls for 2 teaspoons of Worcestershire sauce.
Is this a good weeknight dinner option?
Yes, it is described as a perfect one-dish meal for weeknight dinners or cozy gatherings.