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Thursday, March 25, 2010

Hamburger & Macaroni (aka: Chris's Goulash)

We use to have goulash when I was growing up.  It was not like this, but it was similar.  The recipe that I took this idea from is simply called hamburger and macaroni, Chris labels it goulash.  I looked up goulash on Wikipedia: Goulash is primarily a soup, also existing as stew, usually made of beef, onion, vegetables, spices and ground paprika powder. The name originates from the Hungarian word for a cattle stockman or heardsman....interesting :)  In America, it's what most people call a dish they make using miscellaneous leftovers.  No matter if you want to call this dish hamburger and mac or goulash or whatever, you'll want to try it.  It's simple, delicious, and done in under 30 minutes...perfect for a week night meal, especially if you have to feed a family.  You'll get a lot of food for not a lot of money.

Hamburger & Macaroni
Adapted from Simply Recipes
Ingredients:
1 lbs ground beef
1 small onion, finely diced
1 Tablespoon olive oil
1/2 teaspoon seasoning salt (I used Lawry's)
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1/2 teaspoon celery seed
1 large can (28 oz) of diced tomatoes
2 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1/4 cup chopped parsley (or 1-2 Tbls dried)
2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni

Directions:
Beginning cooking the pasta according to package directions.  Pull off the heat and drain 5 minutes before it's done cooking.  Set aside.

Meanwhile, in a large, deep skillet on medium high heat, add the olive oil and onions and cook about 5-8 minutes, or until tender and translucent.  Add the ground beef and cook another 5-6 minutes.  Lower the heat to medium and add the seasoning salt, crushed red pepper flakes, celery seed, crushed tomatoes, and Worcestershire sauce.  Bring to a simmer and let simmer for 5 minutes.  Add the cooked pasta and simmer another 5 minutes.  Add the parsley and stir to combine.  Enjoy!  

3 comments:

Stephen C said...

Wow, does this take me back. In our not very well-to-do family of seven in the fifties, my mom made this very dish frequently - and with elbow macaroni! It's such a simple concoction and so good - and, as you say, really cheap to make. When I want to make a burger, which I like fairly rare, I buy whole chuck and chop it in the food processor, but for this, with the beef getting cooked thoroughly through, I'll bet one can get a really good buy on ground meat.

Bravo and thanks for reminding me of this dish. I think my mother called it hamburger and macaroni casserole.

Andrea the Kitchen Witch said...

We do goulash around here too. Its pretty much hamburger, onions and stewed tomatoes. It looks just like yours :) Whatever its called it sure is yummy :)

Andrea the Kitchen Witch said...

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