Growing up, we used to eat this American Macaroni Beef recipe all the time! This was a favorite on special occasions, on cold winter nights, and whenever one of us needed some cheering up.
There are lots of different names for this recipe including American chop suey and cheesy goulash. Whatever you want to call it, this macaroni beef recipe is the best.
This simple dish, made with ground meat, corn, tomatoes, and of course yummy pasta, is quick delicious for everyone, from the little ones to the oldest adults. Now, what dinner can you think of that would appeal to such a wide range of people?
If you’re looking for comfort food, this ground beef dinner incorporates the perfect portions of heart-warming and filling ingredients. There are many variations, so you can incorporate whatever you’ve got in your home, adding or subbing ingredients as you see fit.
Best of all, it can be made in one pot. That’s what’s so amazing about goulash – it’s hearty and delicious and easy!
Once everything is cooked and ready, you can serve it over hot pasta. Have your kids try it today, and enjoy it for yourself as well.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Delicious: This dish has everything it takes to make your taste buds sing!
- Comforting: Hearty dishes like this one are comforting for cold winter nights.
- Simple: This one pot pasta and macaroni beef recipe is easy to make and creates few dirty dishes.
- Great for the whole family: I just love what a crowd-pleaser this recipe is.
Ingredient Notes & Substitutions
Frozen corn: Frozen corn is easy to throw in, but you can use canned corn (drained), or fresh corn cut from the cob, if you have it on hand.
Ground beef: Beef gives this meal the hearty flavor and texture I love, but you can swap out beef for alternative meats (chicken or turkey, for example) if that’s what you have on hand, or you’re trying to make the meal more healthy.
Tomatoes: Use canned or fresh diced tomatoes to make this dish delicious!
Cumin: I like the spice from cumin in this dish, but you can leave this out or add more or less according to your tastes.
Pasta: I prefer elbow macaroni, but you can use any pasta shape you prefer!
How to Make It
I like to cook the macaroni in advance so I’ve already got part of the meal prepared when I begin cooking. You can store it in the fridge for one or two days before making the rest of the food. Adding the pasta to hot goulash will warm the pasta up fast, all while helping cool down the goulash so you can eat it as soon as it’s set down on the table.
Are you looking for some other ways to make this meal cook up faster? Consider cooking the meat and onions a day in advance, so you can throw the already-cooked ingredients together in a pot after you walk in the door after work.
Tips for Success
It’s tempting to rush when you’re browning the meat. It’s important not to skip this step – or brown unevenly.
Cook the onions until they’ve taken on a golden hue. This is called “carmelizing”, and it’s how onions taste best.
Although I’ve said this is a great dish to throw together quickly, I recommend simmering the food for a longer time (if you can) to help the flavors meld.
One more thing – avoid overloading this recipe with tomatoes. Strike a balance between tomatoes and beef for the perfect flavor and heartiness.
Storage & Reheating
Once the food has cooled to room temperature, put it in an airtight container. Store the container in the refrigerator for up to 3 or 4 days. You can also place it in the freezer (not just the refrigerator). This macaroni beef recipe can last up to 3 months in the freezer.
Once you’ve frozen the ground beef dinner recipe, place it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours (or more, depending on portion size) before cooking.
Once you’ve thawed the recipe, you can reheat the dish in the microwave or in a pot on the stove.
Serving Suggestions
Not sure what to serve it with? Pair it with a side of vegetables, mashed potatoes, or garlic toast.
FAQs
What is American Macaroni Beef?
This recipe can be called American Chop Suey or even Goulash. It’s a Hungarian dish made with meat, tomatoes, and spices.
Where does the flavor of goulash come from?
Warm spices, like paprika, give this dish its delicious flavor.
Is American Macaroni Beef healthy?
If you’re worried about eating heart-healthy foods, you can try swapping beef for lighter meats like chicken or turkey.
Can I make this dish ahead of time?
For sure! You can make goulash ahead of time and then warm up it up at the end of a long day at work. This is a favorite feature of working parents everywhere!
Notes
My favorite thing about this recipe is how heart-warming it is. Serving this dish makes memories with family and friends. I grew up with one pot pasta, sometimes once a week! I hope it becomes a part of your family traditions as well.
American Macaroni Beef
Ingredients
- 1 lb Lean Ground Beef or Ground Turkey
- 1.5 cups Uncooked Elbow Pasta
- 1 Medium Yellow Onion diced
- 28 oz Fire-Roasted Diced Tomatoes with juices
- 1 cup Frozen Fire-Roasted Corn
- 8 oz Tomato Sauce
- 4 oz Diced Green Chilis
- 1 tsp Smoked Paprika replaces cumin for a deeper flavor
- 1/2 tsp Garlic Powder
- Salt and Cracked Black Pepper to taste
- Fresh Parsley or Scallions for garnish
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook your macaroni until it reaches an “al dente” texture. Drain the water and set the pasta aside.
- In a large heavy-bottomed skillet or Dutch oven, brown the ground meat over medium-high heat. Toss in the chopped onions halfway through, cooking until the meat is no longer pink and the onions are translucent and fragrant. Carefully drain off any excess fat.
- Lower the heat to medium. Incorporate the undrained tomatoes, tomato sauce, green chilis, and roasted corn. Season the mixture with smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Stir well to ensure the spices are evenly distributed.
- Let the mixture reach a gentle bubble, then turn the heat down to low. Cover the pan and let the flavors marry for about 10 to 12 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Fold the cooked macaroni into the beef and tomato base. Toss everything together until the pasta is thoroughly coated and heated through. Finish with a sprinkle of fresh greens before serving.
