By Grocery List Plus Editorial Staff | Published on June 4, 2026
Serves 6
546 cal · 30 min
Pasta and Beef Goulash
Recipe GLPR6e302c4e5d738c
A comforting one-pot style dish combining tender elbow pasta with seasoned lean ground beef, sweet caramelized onion, and garlic, all simmered in tangy tomato sauce and topped with melted sharp cheddar cheese. Quick, hearty, and satisfying.
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Ingredients
Nonstick cooking spray
to taste Salt
1 pound gluten-free elbow macaroni
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 medium onion, finely chopped
1 pound 93% extra-lean ground beef
1 clove garlic, minced
1 can (28 ounces) tomato sauce
6 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, grated
Directions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the gluten-free elbow macaroni and cook according to package directions until al dente, about 8–10 minutes. Drain well and set aside.
While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté, stirring occasionally, until softened and lightly golden, about 4–5 minutes.
Increase the heat to medium-high. Add the ground beef, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon as it cooks. Continue stirring frequently until the beef is browned and no longer pink, about 5–6 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
Add the minced garlic and cook, stirring constantly, for about 1 minute until fragrant.
Pour in the tomato sauce and stir well to combine. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 5 minutes to blend the flavors.
Add the drained cooked pasta to the beef and tomato sauce mixture. Stir gently to combine and heat through, about 2 minutes.
Lightly spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Transfer the pasta and beef mixture into the prepared dish. Top evenly with the grated cheddar cheese.
Place the baking dish under a preheated broiler on the middle rack for 2–3 minutes, just until the cheese melts and begins to bubble. Watch carefully to avoid burning. Alternatively, cover with foil and bake at 350°F for 10 minutes until heated through and cheese is melted.
Season to taste with additional salt if desired. Let rest for 1–2 minutes before serving.
Comments
All ingredients are standard pantry staples or produce found at every Charlotte chain, so no special trips required. At roughly $1.50–$1.80 per serving, the cost is driven by ground beef and cheddar cheese, making it budget-friendly for a weeknight. The stated 30 minutes is honest if you use jarred tomato sauce and don't brown the meat over-carefully; the actual time runs 25–32 minutes, not a bait-and-switch. This is a no-fuss one-pot weeknight dish that reheats well and feeds a family of four to six without complaint, though it's not particularly Southern or seasonal.
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