Southern Style Ghoulash with Ground Beef and Macaroni
A hearty, one-pot Southern American comfort food combining tender ground beef, elbow macaroni, and a rich tomato-based sauce. This american-inspired one pot ready in about 40 minutes pairs pound ground beef, diced onion, minced garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 550 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 cup diced onion
- 3 cloves minced garlic cloves
- 15 ounces tomato sauce
- 1 cup beef broth
- 2 cups elbow macaroni
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 cup grated cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add 1 cup diced onion and 3 minced garlic cloves, sautéing for 3-4 minutes until fragrant and translucent.
- Step 2: Add 1 pound ground beef to the pot, breaking up with a spoon. Cook for 6-8 minutes until browned and no pink remains.
- Step 3: Stir in 15 ounces tomato sauce, 1 cup beef broth, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, 1 teaspoon paprika, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Bring to a gentle simmer.
- Step 4: Add 2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni directly into the sauce. Cover and cook over low heat for 12-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is tender and sauce has thickened.
- Step 5: Remove from heat and stir in 1 cup grated cheddar cheese until melted and creamy. Serve hot as a filling meal.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Southern Style Ghoulash with Ground Beef and Macaroni take to make?
Total time is about 40 minutes (10 min prep + 30 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Southern Style Ghoulash with Ground Beef and Macaroni?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep pound ground beef from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Southern Style Ghoulash with Ground Beef and Macaroni?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Southern Style Ghoulash with Ground Beef and Macaroni for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Southern Style Ghoulash with Ground Beef and Macaroni?
American one pot like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
