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Growing up, I often ate dinner at my Nana and Papa’s house. Nana had a handful of signature dishes that I grew up with. As soon as I walked in the door, I knew exactly which one we had that night for dinner. Although Nana passed away years ago, I’m so grateful to have her recipes written down, so I can continue to make them for my kids. It’s a tradition I hope we can pass on forever. Today, I want to share one of my favorites, Nana’s classic goulash recipe.
Funny story… Nana didn’t call this classic goulash. I’m not even sure she knew that’s what she was making. I didn’t even realize it was goulash until very recently myself. It’s also very similar to some beefaroni recipes. Nana used to call this “Laura.” It may sound strange to name a dish, but there is a good reason for it. It was because her doctor’s wife gave her the recipe, and her name was Laura.
I thought about naming this “Laura” for the blog, but we will call this classic goulash for the sake of most people who don’t name dishes after the people who gave them a recipe. I’m sure it will be easier for those searching for an American goulash recipe because unless they know the lovely doctor’s wife, they won’t be searching for “Laura.”
What I love most about this recipe is that everything cooks in one pan. You don’t have to cook the pasta first either, so it’s quick, easy, and even tastes good the day after so that you can make extra leftovers. I usually double this recipe for our family of five and cook it in my electric skillet. We have dinner and lunch for the following day.
It’s the perfect dish for those hectic days when you don’t have much time to spend in the kitchen. Once the meat is cooked and the ingredients are stirred, it’s just a matter of simmering for 20 minutes.
You can make this exactly as Nana’s recipe calls for, but you are welcome to add additional seasonings. My uncle told me he likes adding basil and oregano to his. He also tops his with parmesan cheese. I haven’t tried that yet, but I look forward to adding those next time I make it. I’m sure it would add another great layer of flavor to it. Plus, my family loves to add cheese to just about anything.
Most classic goulash recipes include cheese, so go ahead and add it (or don’t); it’s your meal, so make it your own!
Now that you know a little about this classic goulash dish and why it means something to our family, I’m excited to share the recipe with you. If you do make it, I’d love for you to share a photo and tag us on social media or comment below and let me know what you think. We love feedback from our readers!
The perfect combination of beef, pasta, onions, peppers and spices, in a tomato sauce. It’s a recipe that my Nana made once a week and brings me back to my childhood every single time.
Saute ground beef in oil on medium-high heat until browned and cooked thoroughly.
Add uncooked macaroni, onions, green pepper, and garlic. Stir and cook for 3-5 minutes.
Drain excess oil.
Add tomato sauce, water, Worcestershire sauce, and salt and pepper. Stir well.
Bring to a boil and then cover and simmer for 20 minutes.
Don’t forget to check out our other family-friendly recipes, especially Nana’s Slow Cooker Pot Roast with Homemade Gravy and her Claremont Salad! Stay tuned for her other signature recipes I’ll share very soon.
Hi! I’m Heather, Mom of 3, professional snack opener, the only person who knows where everything is in my house and part-time magician (I can turn a bunch of candy into a gift basket and everyone thinks it’s amazing). I share a mix of parenting moments, easy recipes, crafts, and DIY home decor projects.
Around here, we love turning ordinary stuff into extraordinary gifts, from candy box baskets and birthday punch boards to homemade advent calendars and other crafty chaos that somehow always works out.
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I have a lot of friends that talk about making goulash, but I’ve never tried it! Your recipe sounds delicious, and it is nice to have those childhood memories.
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I have a lot of friends that talk about making goulash, but I’ve never tried it! Your recipe sounds delicious, and it is nice to have those childhood memories.