Easy Skillet Goulash

EASY SKILLET GOULASH

10/24/2022

Growing up, Easy Skillet Goulash was always on the weekly menu, and was always a favorite of my Dad and brothers! American Goulash is comfort food that the whole family will love - it’s warm and hearty with a rich, savory tomato sauce. Best of all, it’s one of the most affordable meals you can make in a single pan! Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, and always popular at potlucks. Perfectly saucy, perfectly cheesy, and perfectly wonderful!

Easy Skillet Goulash

During my childhood, Mom always used Creamette brand macaroni products - a staple created and marketed in the Minneapolis area. Once upon a time they created mini-elbow macaroni that she would use for this casserole. Creamettes doesn't make the mini-elbow macaroni any longer, and we have made the switch to local products here in Ohio.

Loaded with fresh tomato flavor, just the right spices, and topped with lots of melted cheese, this is about as good as it gets for a fast and family-friendly meal!

Easy Skillet Goulash

Here's the thing. My Dad would eat this Goulash pretty much every day if we would let him! Growing up, this easy and old-fashioned Goulash was ALWAYS on the weekly menu - and he LOVED the leftovers! The gooier and cheesier, the more everyone loved it!

Now you may wonder about the can of tomato soup. This is really more tradition than anything else, but it does add just the littlest bit of sweetness and creaminess to the recipe. Feel free to leave it out if you want to, but I leave it in for old times sake!

I also use whatever cheese I happen to have available when I make this - it doesn't need to be American cheese unless you want it that way - cheddar, colby-jack or mozzarella all work wonderfully too! And it's a great way to use up all those little bits of cheese that you have leftover in your fridge.

Over the years the recipe has had to change, more out of necessity than anything else. When we moved away from the Twin Cities, a lot of our favorite food items were no longer available. Which leads to lots of boxes of grocery staples being picked up whenever we visit home, and very careful planning and storage at this end. Do you have any favorite foods from your childhood that you have a hard time finding now?

Easy Skillet Goulash

Dad's gone now, but I still think of him every single time that I make this for my family. He would have been smiling and the first in line to dish up - and I would so love to have one more dinner with him!

This one's for you Dad!

Easy Skillet Goulash

EASY SKILLET GOULASH

Easy Skillet Goulash

INGREDIENTS:
2 tablespoons olive oil
1-1/2 lbs ground lean beef
1 medium onion, chopped
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon dried or 1 teaspoon fresh oregano (crushed)
Salt and Pepper (to taste)
1 can (11 oz.) Campbell’s Tomato Soup
2 cups (16 oz.) tomato sauce or pasta sauce
1 cup water
3 cups elbow macaroni, uncooked
2 cups shredded American cheese
Fresh parsley (garnish)

HOW I MAKE THIS:

In a large non-stick skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the ground beef. Using a wooden spoon, break the meat into pieces and brown until cooked through. Add the chopped onions and continue cooking, stirring occasionally, until the onions are translucent.
Drain any excess fat. Stir in garlic powder, sugar, oregano, salt and pepper, tomato soup tomato sauce/pasta sauce, and water. Stir to combine.
Add uncooked elbow macaroni and stir well. Once the sauce is bubbling, reduce heat to medium-low, cover the pan and cook until the noodles are soft (about 20 minutes), stirring occasionally.
Once the noodles are cooked, sprinkle with shredded cheese. Cover and cook for an additional 5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted.
Remove from heat, sprinkle with parsley, and serve warm!

YIELD: 6 to 8 servings

Original recipe created by Snowflakes & Coffeecakes and posted March 2010; revised and republished October 2022.

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