1-First, gather and prep your ingredients to set yourself up for success. Start by heating olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add 1 cup diced onion, 1 green bell pepper diced, and 2 pounds lean ground beef. Cook until the beef is no longer pink, then drain any excess fat to keep things light.

2-Next, add 3 teaspoons minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until it’s fragrant. This step boosts the flavor without adding much time. Now, stir in 2 cans (15 oz each) of tomato sauce, 2 cans (15 oz each) of petite diced tomatoes, 3 cups beef broth, 3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce, 2 teaspoons seasoned salt, 2 tablespoons Italian seasoning, 3 bay leaves, and 2 cups uncooked macaroni noodles.

3-Bring the mixture to a boil, then lower the heat to a gentle simmer. Stir occasionally for about 20 minutes until the pasta is tender. For those interested in more pasta ideas, our tuna pasta bake offers a seafood twist that’s just as quick. Finally, remove the 3 bay leaves and mix in 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese right before serving for that melty goodness.

4-Throughout cooking, keep an eye on the pot to avoid overcooking the pasta, which can take 10-20 minutes. This recipe is ready in just 35 minutes total, including 5 minutes prep and 30 minutes cooking. Feel free to adjust seasonings or add veggies like carrots for extra nutrition as you go.

5-To make this even easier, consider using a slow cooker for hands-off results. For more on that, check our FAQ section below. With these steps, you’ll have a delicious easy goulash that serves about 10 people and clocks in at 388 calories per serving.