Goulash for Days

 

My parents were big on being in the kitchen and cooking together.  I remember warm plates of goodness flowing onto the table almost every single night.  One of my favorites was the Goulash....straight from the pot and covered with a sprinkle of cheese. Yummmmmmmm!  Today it's still a family favorite for my children, I love having these special recipes to pass down to them from my Mom and Dad.  Having never met their Grandparents I think it makes it extra special for them to have a little piece of them on a plate like this to pass down to the next generation.

Here is what you need:

 

2 pounds of lean ground beef
1 large onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 bell pepper or zucchini, diced(optional)
2 -15 ounce can small dice tomatoes
2 - 15 ounces can tomato sauce
3 Bay Leaves
About a Tablespoon of Italian seasonings
1/2 cup of beef broth
2 cups dry macaroni, cooked according to package directions
salt and pepper to taste
cheese for topping
Scallions, Parsley or Cilantro as extras if you want

Bring a large pot of water to a boil and cook the macaroni.  I have just put uncooked pasta in the pot with the cooked meat too.  If you do that you will want to just add about 2-2 1/2 additional cups of water to the mixture.  While pasta cooks, brown the ground beef that has been seasoned with salt and pepper.  Drain beef well and remove meat to a bowl.  In 1 tablespoon or so of oil, cook the onion and bell pepper or zucchini if using, until softened.  Add the canned tomatoes, tomato sauce, and seasonings.  Add the ground beef back to the pot.  Cover and cook about 15 minutes.  Remove lid and add cooked macaroni unless you just added it along with the extra water with your tomato products and seasonings.  Season with salt and pepper, if needed.  Mix it all together well and add cheese if want.  At the very end I like to sprinkle in a good handful of chopped scallions or fresh cilantro!!!

Super Yummy and Delicious, tell me if you make it for your Family!!!