Mom's Goulash

I grew up eating Mom's Goulash. 

When I got old enough to know better I found that Mom's goulash wasn't "real" goulash.  You know, the kind from Hungary?

I tell ya, I'm still traumatized by this!

Goulash originally was a type of soup or stew made with beef and vegetables.  Upon migrating to North America it took on different appearances by adding ground beef for stew meat and the addition of pasta.  In the south, it became a slang for using leftovers with the addition of pasta.

That explains it!  Mom grew up eating Grandma's goulash, most likely leftovers.  Then mom just adapted this in to her amazing version.

This dish is all about the prominent flavor of garlic! (gah lick)

So if you like garlic, this dish will not disappoint!  A quick weeknight meal...try it, you'll like it!

Let's make it!

This is a throw together dish so I'll do my best to capture the ingredients in measurements.

You will need:  pasta, ground sirloin, garlic powder, a 14 ox can of diced tomatoes, one small can of tomato sauce and more garlic powder!

In a skillet brown about 1/2 lb of ground sirloin.  Sprinkle with a good dashing of garlic powder.  I would say about 2 tsp.  Break the meat up in to chunks as it cooks.  Not fine, kinda chunky.

In a large soup pot add about 1/2 lb . of pasta.  Mom always used small shells, but I used rotini since that's what I had.  Cook according to package direction at a boil for about 8-11 min.

Drain your pasta and return it to the pot.
Add 1 14 oz can of diced tomatoes.
Add 1 small can of tomato sauce - You want just a coating of sauce, not soupy.
Add salt and pepper.
Add about 1 - 2 teaspoons of garlic powder.   
Add the meat. (sorry the shot below didn't have the meat in it yet!)

Mix everything together in the pot and cook on simmer for about 10 min until heated through.

Serve with some crusty bread and a salad....and taste the comfort food.

There's nothing like Mom's Goulash!  Want some?



Mom's Goulash

serves 4

1/2 lb ground sirloin
1/2 lb. pasta (small shells or rotini)
1 14 oz can of diced tomatoes
1 small can of tomato sauce
3-4 tsp of garlic powder
salt and pepper

Brown the ground sirloin in a skillet, breaking meat in to chunky bites.  Sprinkle with 2 tsp of garlic powder.  You want the meat to taste garlicky.

Boil pasta in a pot according to package directions.  Drain and return to pot.  Add tomatoes and sauce.  Add meat and 1 - 2 tsp more of the garlic powder.  Salt and pepper to taste.  Cook on simmer for about 10 min to heat through.  Enjoy!