Quick & Cozy Michael Symon American Goulash Recipe for Family

Michael Symon’s american goulash represents comfort food at its finest, blending hearty ingredients with remarkable simplicity.

This classic dish transforms ordinary pantry staples into an extraordinary culinary experience that warms both stomach and soul.

Home cooks appreciate its no-fuss approach and robust flavor profile that speaks to traditional american cuisine.

Ground beef becomes the star, mingling with aromatic seasonings that elevate a seemingly basic recipe into something truly memorable.

Shallots and garlic infuse deep, rich undertones that make each bite intensely satisfying.

The recipe’s gluten-free nature ensures accessibility for diverse dietary needs without compromising taste or texture.

Quick preparation means you can have a delicious meal on the table in less than an hour: savor every delectable spoonful.

Why Michael Symon’s American Goulash is the Ultimate Comfort Food

• Savor Quick Comfort: This goulash delivers hearty, satisfying flavors in just under an hour, perfect for busy home cooks craving a delicious meal without spending hours in the kitchen.
• Master One-Pot Simplicity: By using a single pan or Dutch oven, this recipe minimizes cleanup and lets you create a complete meal with minimal dishes, making cooking and post-meal cleanup a breeze.
• Customize Your Flavor Profile: The recipe's flexible seasoning approach allows you to adjust pepper, Worcestershire sauce, and homemade seasoned salt, letting you personalize the taste to match your individual preferences and spice tolerance.
• Enjoy Protein-Packed Goodness: Combining ground beef with pasta creates a balanced, filling dish that provides substantial nutrition and keeps you satisfied, making it an excellent option for family dinners or quick weeknight meals.

Key Ingredients for Michael Symon’s American Goulash

Main Ingredients:

Ground Beef: A hearty protein that forms the base of the goulash, providing rich flavor and satisfying texture.

• Elbow Noodles: Classic pasta shape that absorbs sauce perfectly and adds comforting texture to the dish.

• Garlic: Provides deep, robust flavor foundation for the goulash.
• Shallot or Onion: Adds sweet and aromatic base notes to enhance overall taste.

• Worcestershire Sauce: Delivers complex umami depth and tangy richness to the meat.
• Seasoned Salt: Homemade blend that adds layered seasoning throughout the dish.
• Black Pepper: Offers subtle heat and enhances other flavors.
• Italian Seasoning: Provides herbal complexity and traditional goulash character.
• Bay Leaf: Contributes subtle earthy undertone and depth to the sauce.

• Tomato Products: Brings acidic sweetness and creates a rich, classic goulash sauce base.

How to Make Michael Symon’s American Goulash

Step 1: Prepare the Cooking Surface

Heat a large pan or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Gather your ingredients: ground beef, garlic, and onion.

• Ground beef
• Minced garlic
• Chopped onion

Use a wooden spoon to break up the beef as it cooks.

Step 2: Season and Brown the Meat

• Black pepper
• Worcestershire sauce
• Homemade seasoned salt

Continue cooking until the meat is fully browned and crumbly.

Step 3: Add Flavor Boosters

• Seasoned salt
• Tomato sauce
• Diced tomatoes
• Italian seasoning
• 1 bay leaf

Raise the heat and let the mixture bubble and blend flavors.

Step 4: Simmer and Develop Depth

Reduce heat to medium-low. Let the sauce simmer gently for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.

Step 5: Cook the Pasta

Add elbow macaroni to the pan. Continue simmering and stirring frequently for 12 to 14 minutes, or until pasta reaches desired tenderness. Adjust heat to maintain a gentle boil.

Remove the bay leaf before serving. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed. Serve hot and enjoy this classic American comfort dish!

Pro Tips for Perfect American Goulash

• Choose Lean Cuts: Select ground beef with minimal fat for a healthier twist on classic goulash.
• Control Seasoning: Add salt and pepper incrementally, tasting as you go to create perfectly balanced flavors.
• Break Down Meat: Stir constantly with a wooden spoon, crumbling beef into small, uniform pieces for even cooking.
• Boost Nutrition: Swap regular broth and tomato products for low-sodium alternatives to reduce overall salt intake.
• Rest and Absorb: Let the goulash sit for 10-15 minutes after cooking, allowing ingredients to meld and intensify their combined taste.

How to Store Michael Symon’s American Goulash

Vacuum Seal for Longevity: Transfer cooled goulash into vacuum-sealed bags, removing all air to prevent freezer burn and preserve flavor intensity. Professional chefs recommend this method for maintaining optimal taste and texture up to 4 months.

Portioned Freezing Strategy: Divide leftover goulash into individual serving sizes using freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty zip-lock bags. Labeling each portion with the date helps track freshness and prevents food waste while ensuring quick, convenient reheating.

Refrigeration Reset: Keep goulash in glass or ceramic containers with tight-fitting lids to minimize moisture loss and prevent absorption of other refrigerator odors. Consume within 3-4 days for the best quality and taste, gently reheating only the amount you plan to eat.

Delicious Variations of Michael Symon’s American Goulash

• Veggie Power Goulash: Replace ground beef with plant-based crumbles or lentils for a hearty vegetarian version that maintains the rich, comforting flavors of the original recipe.
• Spicy Southwest Goulash: Add diced green chilies, cumin, and a dash of cayenne pepper to transform the classic dish into a zesty southwestern-style meal with a kick of heat.
• Mediterranean Herb Goulash: Incorporate fresh chopped oregano, mint, and swap tomato sauce for crushed tomatoes with a sprinkle of feta cheese to give the dish a Mediterranean-inspired profile.
• Smoky Bacon Goulash: Crisp up some bacon pieces and mix them into the meat mixture, using the rendered fat to enhance the overall depth of flavor and add a smoky essence to the classic goulash.

A Hearty Meal: Michael Symon’s American Goulash

Michael Symon’s American Goulash reveals culinary magic where comfort meets simplicity.

Home kitchens can easily transform classic recipes into memorable meals with strategic ingredient combinations.

Rich beef flavors mingle with tender pasta, creating an irresistible one-pot wonder that connects generations of home cooks.

Worcestershire sauce provides depth while Italian seasoning adds unexpected complexity to this hearty dish.

Balanced spices and straightforward preparation make this recipe accessible for novice and experienced chefs alike.

Passionate cooks, you’ll want to savor each comforting bite, share this delightful recipe with friends, spark conversation about family traditions, click that like button, and spread goulash love across social media platforms.

Michael Symon American Goulash Recipe

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4.9 from 28 reviews

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

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Description

Hearty Michael Symon American Goulash delivers comfort through rich beef and pasta perfection. Midwestern charm meets classic Hungarian inspiration, creating a soul-warming meal that brings families together around one delicious, generously seasoned skillet.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Protein:

• 1 pound (lb) / 454 grams lean ground beef

Vegetables and Aromatics:

• 1 large shallot or small yellow onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, pressed or minced
• 15 ounces (oz) / 425 grams petite diced tomatoes
• 15 ounces (oz) / 425 grams tomato sauce

Herbs, Seasonings, and Liquid Ingredients:

• 8 shakes gluten free worcestershire sauce (approximately ½ tablespoon)
• 1 teaspoon homemade seasoned salt
• 1 dash additional seasoned salt
• Pepper to taste
• 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
• 1 bay leaf
• 1–½ cups chicken or beef broth
• 1 cup uncooked gluten free elbow noodles

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Instructions

1. Heat a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high temperature, adding minced garlic, finely chopped shallots, and ground beef. Crumble the meat thoroughly using a wooden spatula.
2. Incorporate freshly ground black pepper, Worcestershire sauce, and homemade seasoned salt. Continue cooking until the meat browns evenly and releases its natural juices.
3. Introduce the remaining seasoned salt, diced tomatoes, crushed tomato sauce, Italian herb blend, and a single bay leaf. Elevate the heat to encourage rapid bubbling and flavor melding.
4. Decrease the temperature to medium-low, allowing the mixture to simmer gently. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking and ensure uniform cooking for approximately 10 minutes.
5. Gently fold in elbow macaroni (about 8 ounces or 226 grams), maintaining a soft simmer. Stir frequently to prevent pasta from clumping, cooking for 12 to 14 minutes until noodles reach perfect al dente tenderness.
6. Reduce heat slightly during final cooking stages to maintain a delicate bubble. Remove the bay leaf and taste, adjusting seasoning with additional salt and pepper according to preference.

Notes

• Skip fatty cuts and choose ground beef with less than 15% fat for a healthier meal.
• Crumble meat into small, uniform pieces while cooking to achieve perfect texture and consistent seasoning.
• Control salt intake by selecting reduced-sodium broth and canned tomatoes without added salt.
• Wooden utensils prevent scratching delicate cookware and distribute heat more evenly during browning.
• Drain excess fat after cooking to reduce unnecessary calories and improve overall dish nutrition.
• Fresh herbs like parsley or basil can elevate flavor profiles without adding extra sodium.
• Allow meat to rest briefly after cooking to help retain moisture and redistribute internal juices.
• Temperature matters: Brown ground beef over medium-high heat to develop rich, caramelized flavors.
• Store leftovers in airtight containers within two hours of cooking to maintain food safety.
• Gentle stirring prevents meat from becoming tough and ensures beautiful, tender protein texture.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 5g
• Sodium: 800mg
• Fat: 14g
• Saturated Fat: 5g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 37g
• Fiber: 3g
• Protein: 20g
• Cholesterol: 60mg