Thursday, March 22, 2012

Italian Goulash

I saw this recipe on Pam's site - For the Love of Cooking - way back in 2010 - yep, it's taken me this long to finally make it!  I know.. crazy, right?  But, if you collect recipes like I do, you know there are just SO many great recipes out there and SO little time to actually make them all.  Oh if only someone would pay me to stay home and cook all day!!  Granted, I would have to eat whatever I made so I could probably gain somewhere close to 100 pounds and... well... Ok, maybe this isn't such a good idea after all....

Let's get back to the goulash!  When I was a kid, my mom would make goulash from time to time and it was one of my favorites.  Now I believe that everyone that is reading this was raised eating some type of goulash.  And I'm sure that the ones we ate were the best ever.  And that is true in my case, at least - my mom's was simple and it was the best I have ever had... Until now... (gulp, did I just say that out loud?)  Sorry mom!!

See.. the goulash is so good I would dare tell my mom that this one just might be a tad bit better (only a tiny bit, Mom, I swear).  Oh goodness... I think I'm going to be getting a phone call today... :)

Italian Goulash
Adapted from Pam, For the Love of Cooking
Printable Recipe 
Ingredients:
1 teaspoon olive oil
1/2 sweet onion, finely diced
1 pound lean ground beef (94/6 if you can get it)
6 mini sweet peppers, diced
1/2 zucchini, diced
2 garlic cloves, finely minced
salt and pepper
3 cups homemade or jarred marinara sauce
12oz elbow macaroni
fresh basil (I did not have it, but if you do, use it!)
Parmesan cheese (optional)

Directions:
Heat the olive oil in a Dutch oven or a deep skillet over medium heat. Add the onions and cook until tender, about 5-8 minutes.  Add the ground beef and cook for 4 minutes; stirring and breaking up the beef as it cooks.  Add the peppers and zucchini and cook for another 3-4 minutes.  Drain any excess grease and season with salt and pepper.  Pour in the marinara sauce, stirring to combine.  Simmer for 30 minutes to 1 hour.

Cook the pasta according to package directions; drain.  Add the pasta to the sauce and toss to coat.  Remove from heat and stir in the basil.  Taste for seasoning and salt and pepper if needed.  Top with cheese if desired.  Enjoy!

One Year Ago:  Baked Fish with Sour Cream-Parmesan Sauce
Two Years Ago:  Creamy Ranch Chicken Enchiladas

15 comments:

  1. Wow, that is saying a lot! I love my mom's goulash, too..esp. if she is the one who makes it. This sounds good with all of the veggies in here. My mom uses green pepper, but I like the red pepper and zucchini in this.

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  2. Your goulash looks awesome. I've actually made Pam's recipe before and it really is delicious! The zucchini totally makes it for me.

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  3. Yep, we all were fed goulash as we grew up. Let's face it, it is inexpensive, not time-consuming, and frankly delicious. All I know for sure is that my mom's version included ground beef, elbow macaroni and tomatoes.

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  4. Ah goulash! I hated, even loathed it as a kid (could have been my extreme hatred of onions and tomatoes and bell peppers, hmm all things I love now...) and adore it now! Love the zucchini in this one, and the use of pasta sauce. Talk about flavor!! Might have to make this version next time it's goulash night!

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  5. What a perfect family meal. This sounds delicious and my grandsons could make it disappear in no time at all. Have a great day. Blessings...Mary

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  6. Oh, a knife in your mom's heart! This must REALLY be good - it sure looks it ... :)

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  7. Have I told you lately that I think you are extra super cool? Well I do and it has nothing to do with you liking my goulash better than your mom's! :)

    I am glad you liked it... thanks for the link & shout out!

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  8. Sounds good, I think my kids will love it.
    My goulash is from Czechoslovakia...Cabbage, bacon and dumplings! My grandpa made it all the time, loved it!

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  9. Oh, yum! I love a simple but super flavorful meal like this. It looks so delicious and just like the comfort food I grew up eating! Thanks for sharing the recipe, Jenn.

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  10. I never heard of goulash, sound so simple to make. Definitely something quick to make.

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  11. oooooo you are going to get "dis-owned"!

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  12. I could go for a plate of this pasta!

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  13. Comfort Food 101. I grew up on this, but in my Scandinavian neighborhood we called it 'hotdish.' The problem with this delicious stuff is that it has no edges. It's way too easy to stuff yourself before you know it, especially if you're eating it while reading or watching TV. Caveat emptor. LOL

    P.S. Thanks for a fun memory.

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  14. This looks and sounds like the perfect goulash. My mom made good goulash too and I hope you made some of this for your mom! I'm sure you've been a great daughter, until now... tee hee!

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