Ingredients
Base Ingredients
- 1/2 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 onion, diced
- 1/2 bell pepper, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 lb ground beef
Tomato Sauce Mixture
- 1 15 oz can tomato sauce
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1/2 cup frozen corn
- 1/2 teaspoon salt (plus more to taste if needed)
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper (plus more to taste if needed)
- Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)
- 2 tablespoons minced fresh basil
To Serve
- Cooked pasta (amount as desired)
Instructions
- Heat the oil and cook onion: Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the diced onion and cook, stirring occasionally, for about 3 minutes until the onion starts to soften.
- Add bell pepper and cook: Add the diced green bell pepper to the pan and cook for an additional 3 minutes, allowing the pepper to soften and blend flavors.
- Add garlic and sauté: Stir in the minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute, stirring constantly to avoid burning and to release the garlic’s aroma.
- Brown the ground beef: Add the ground beef to the pan and cook, breaking it apart with a spoon, until the meat is nearly fully cooked through, approximately 5 to 8 minutes.
- Add tomato sauce and seasoning: Stir in the tomato sauce, tomato paste, salt, black pepper, optional red pepper flakes, and frozen corn. Bring the mixture to a low boil, then reduce heat to low and cover. Let the sauce simmer gently for 10 minutes, stirring once halfway through at 5 minutes to ensure even cooking.
- Finish with fresh basil: Just before serving, stir in the minced fresh basil to add a fresh, herby note to the dish.
- Serve: Serve the hot American Goulash over cooked pasta. Alternatively, you can enjoy it over baked or mashed potatoes for a comforting variation.
Notes
- You can adjust the red pepper flakes to your desired spice level or omit them entirely for a milder dish.
- For a vegetarian version, substitute ground beef with cooked lentils or plant-based meat alternatives.
- Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheat nicely on the stove or microwave.
- Feel free to add other vegetables such as mushrooms or zucchini to increase the nutritional value.
- Use fresh pasta or any shape of dried pasta according to preference.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
