1teaspoonsmoky paprika (See Recipe Notes: Paprika)
2bay leaves, dried
1teaspoonsalt
½teaspoonblack pepper
2cupswater (See Recipe Notes: Water) or beef broth(liquid for goulash; you'll need more water for the pasta)
12 oz.elbow noodlesprepared al dente
Instructions
Prep
Chop onion and bell pepper
1 cup chopped yellow onion, 1 cup chopped green bell pepper
Bring large stockpot of water to boil; cook pasta 4 minutes; drain; set aside
12 oz. elbow noodles
Make the Goulash
In a large pan, heat oil on medium heat; add onion, bell pepper and ground beef; cook till beef is no longer pink; drain; return to stockpot
2 lbs. ground beef, 1 cup chopped yellow onion, 1 cup chopped green bell pepper, 1 tablespoon oil
Add everything else but the noodles: bring heat to medium until tomato paste is dissolved
6 ounces tomato paste, 1 pkg. beefy onion soup mix, 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, 1 teaspoon smoky paprika (See Recipe Notes: Paprika), 2 bay leaves, 1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper, 2 cups water (See Recipe Notes: Water) or beef broth
Once tomato paste is dissolved, turn heat to simmer; cover stockpot with lid and allow to simmer for 10 minutes
After 10 minutes, add prepared elbow noodles to meat mixture; allow to cook a few minutes more
Remove bay leaves; serve and enjoy!
Notes
Paprika:Paprika is a key ingredient to the flavor of this dish! Make sure you use Smoky Hungarian or Spanish Paprika and be sure it's fresh.If you've got an old McCormick "paprika" in your pantry, you can use it but the flavor of the dish won't be as well developed as when you use a fresh smoky paprika. Start by using one teaspoon; if you decide you want more, add more!Water:This American Goulash recipe uses water as the liquid,however, you can use beef broth or beef stock, or vegetable stock. Want it thicker?Make a thickening slurry: in a one-cup measuring cup, add 1/2 cup of all-purpose flour and 1/2 cup warm water; mix together with a fork till smooth then add the mixture to the goulash; turn the heat up a little and it will thicken. Adjust seasonings to taste.