Barbara's Hungarian Goulash

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Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 pounds boneless lean chuck roast, cut into 1 1/2" cubes
  • 1/3 cup shortening
  • 2 medium onions, chopped
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons flour
  • 1/2 to 3/4 teaspoons salt
  • 1 tablespoon paprika
  • Dash of thyme
  • 1 14.5-ounce can whole or diced tomatoes
  • Water
  • 1 8-ounce can tomato sauce
  • 3 beef bouillon cubes
  • 1 bouquet garni (1 bay leaf, 1 stalk celery with leaves, a few sprigs of fresh parsley tied together with string)
  • 1 16-ounce box cooked rigatoni (save about a cup of the pasta water)
  • Grated Parmesan cheese

Directions

  1. Brown beef slowly in hot shortening to develop flavor. Add onions and cook until onions are tender. Add garlic and cook another 1-2 minutes. Blend in flour, salt, paprika and thyme.
  2. Drain whole tomatoes, reserving liquid. Add water to liquid to make 1 1/2 cups and add to meat. Add tomatoes (coarsely chop if using whole tomatoes) and remaining ingredients. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer, (do not boil) about 1 1/2 hours or until meat is tender. Stir occasionally. Remove bouquet garni. Stir in cooked pasta. Add some of the pasta water if you prefer the meat mixture a little thinner.
  3. Ladle into dishes and sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese.