Southern Tomato Beef Ghoulash
A robust and satisfying one-pot dish, this Southern-style tomato beef ghoulash combines tender pasta with a richly seasoned tomato-based meat sauce. Infused with bold spices and wholesome ingredients, it's a comforting and budget-friendly option that pleases a crowd.
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Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon all-purpose Cajun spice blend
- 2 cloves of garlic finely minced
- 1 ½ tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 2 dried bay leaves
- 1 yellow onion diced
- 1 teaspoon seasoned salt
- 3 cups dry elbow macaroni
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon ground paprika
- ½ red or green bell pepper chopped
- 2 cups plain water
- 1 11 oz can of corn kernels, thoroughly drained
- 2 pounds of lean ground beef
- 1 28 oz can of crushed tomato sauce
- 1 28 oz can of diced tomatoes
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 tablespoon dried Italian herb blend
- Shredded sharp Cheddar cheese and a dollop of sour cream for topping
Instructions
- Warm a lightly oiled Dutch oven over medium flame. Add ground beef, chopped onion, and diced bell pepper. Use a wooden spoon to break apart the meat as it browns.
- Once the beef is fully cooked and no longer pink, remove excess grease from the pot. Return the pot to the stove and stir in the minced garlic along with the crushed red pepper flakes. Sauté for 1 minute to release aroma.
- Pour in the tomato sauce and diced tomatoes. Blend in the Worcestershire sauce, granulated sugar, Italian seasoning, Cajun spice mix, seasoned salt, paprika, black pepper, and bay leaves. Let the mixture gently simmer for 5 minutes.
- Incorporate the water and uncooked elbow pasta. Cover and cook on a low simmer until the pasta reaches an al dente texture, roughly 15 minutes. Discard the bay leaves after cooking.
- Mix in the drained corn kernels and combine thoroughly. Serve each portion hot, topped with shredded Cheddar and a spoonful of sour cream if desired.
Notes
For a less meaty version, you may reduce the ground beef to 1 pound without significantly altering the flavor profile.