The Best Grandma's Goulash

Looking for a new way to revive the age old combination of pasta & sauce? Grandma's American Goulash is the yummiest way to do just that. Ground beef, your favorite pasta, a blend of cheeses, made in a single pot and all in a savory tomato based sauce- what's not to go ga-ga for?!

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs ground beef
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 large white onion, diced
• 2 1/2 cups water
• 1/2 cup beef broth
• 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 2 15 oz cans tomato sauce
• 2 15 oz cans diced tomatoes
• 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
• 3 bay leaves
• 2 1/2 cups cavatelli pasta
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• salt & pepper, to taste

Instructions:

1. Heat a dutch oven over medium high heat, add the ground beef, olive oil, garlic, & onions and stir everything together, breaking the meat up as you go- cooking until the meat is browned and cooked through. Drain, and return the mixture to the pot.
2. Stir in the water, broth, both tomatoes, Italian seasoning, and bay leaves. Lower the heat, bringing the mixture to a simmer. Cover, and let cook for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
3. Stir in the pasta, cover, and continue simmering an additional 30 minutes- stirring occasionally, until the pasta's cooked through.
4. Remove the bay leaves, and salt & pepper, to taste. Stir in the mozzarella cheese until evenly combined.
5. Serve immediately, scooping into bowls, and topping with the shredded cheddar.

NOTES:

1. Grandma’s American Goulash is an easy dinner idea, that simply can’t be beat. Other times referred to as American Chop Suey, it’s a bit soupy in texture- like a bowl full of a cheesy pasta/sauce hybrid.
2. It’s so much more than just a saucy bowl of pasta though. It’s got deep flavor from an infusion of beef broth, and being slow simmered with bay leaves. Top the whole thing off with a blend of cheese, and it’s meal time magic.