Cowboy Goulash

This Cowboy Goulash is about to become your new favorite comfort food that doesn’t require you to spend three hours in the kitchen or pretend you know what “julienne” means.

We’re talking tender ground beef, perfectly cooked elbow pasta, and a medley of peppers and corn that creates the kind of hearty, stick-to-your-ribs meal that makes everyone suddenly very interested in what’s happening in your kitchen.

The genius of this recipe lies in its beautiful simplicity – you brown some beef, toss in vegetables, add pasta and canned goods, then let everything simmer together into pure comfort food magic.

Those Tex-Mex flavors from the jalapeño, chili powder, and Ro-tel tomatoes give this traditional goulash a southwestern kick that’ll have you wondering why you ever settled for bland weeknight dinners.

Plus, this makes eight generous servings, which means you’re either feeding a crowd or setting yourself up for the best leftovers of your life.

Fair warning: making this will result in people asking for the recipe, and you’ll have to decide whether you want to share your new secret weapon or keep all the glory for yourself.

Ingredients

For the Base

• 1 lb ground round (or ground beef)
• 1 16-oz box elbow pasta
• 1 cup diced onion
• 3 cloves garlic, minced

For the Vegetables

• 1 green bell pepper, diced
• 1 jalapeño pepper, minced
• 1 can petite diced tomatoes
• 1 can Ro-tel tomatoes
• 1 can whole kernel corn, drained and rinsed

For the Seasoning

• 1 teaspoon chili powder (more to taste)
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

Prepare the Pasta

1. 1 Cook the 16-oz box of elbow pasta according to package directions in a large pot or Dutch oven until al dente, typically 8-10 minutes in boiling salted water. The pasta will continue cooking when you simmer everything together, so slightly undercooking at this stage prevents mushy noodles in the final dish.

Build the Flavor Base

1. 2 While pasta cooks, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the diced onion, green bell pepper, and minced garlic. Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onions become transparent and tender. The peppers should still have a slight bite to them, and you’ll smell the garlic becoming fragrant.
2. 3 Add the 1 lb ground round to the skillet with the vegetables and cook until completely browned, breaking it up with a wooden spoon as it cooks. This should take 6-8 minutes. You want to see no pink remaining, and the meat should be nicely browned for maximum flavor development.
3. 4 Stir in the minced jalapeño pepper, 1 teaspoon chili powder, and 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce with the browned beef mixture. Cook for an additional 1-2 minutes to bloom the spices and distribute the flavors evenly throughout the meat.

Combine and Simmer

1. 5 Drain the cooked pasta thoroughly and return it to the large pot or Dutch oven you used for cooking.
2. 6 Add the browned beef and vegetable mixture to the drained pasta, stirring to distribute evenly throughout.
3. 7 Add the can of petite diced tomatoes (with juice), can of Ro-tel, and drained corn to the pot. Stir everything together until well combined, ensuring the tomato juices coat all the pasta and meat.
4. 8 Reduce heat to low and simmer the mixture for 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. This simmering time allows all the flavors to meld together and the sauce to thicken slightly. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt, pepper, and chili powder as needed.

Recommended Equipment and Kitchen Tools

Essential Tools (for best results)

• Large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot – Perfect for cooking pasta and then combining everything in one vessel, plus the heavy bottom prevents scorching during the simmering phase
• Large skillet or cast iron pan – Provides excellent heat distribution for browning the ground beef evenly and developing those crucial flavor foundations
• Wooden spoon or silicone spatula – Essential for breaking up the ground beef and stirring without scratching your cookware
• Colander with fine mesh – Ensures proper pasta draining and prevents losing any elbow macaroni down the sink

Helpful Upgrades

• Digital kitchen scale – For precise measurement of ground beef if buying from a butcher counter
• Sharp chef’s knife and cutting board – Makes quick work of dicing vegetables uniformly for even cooking
• Can opener and measuring spoons – Quality tools make ingredient prep smoother and more accurate

Nice-to-Have Options

• Immersion blender – If you prefer a slightly smoother tomato base, you can pulse the canned tomatoes before adding
• Large serving ladle – Makes portioning this hearty goulash much easier when serving family-style

Recipe Variations and Dietary Modifications

Gluten-Free Adaptation

• Replace elbow pasta with gluten-free pasta using the same 16-oz amount
• Corn, rice, or quinoa-based pastas work exceptionally well with this hearty sauce
• Cook gluten-free pasta 1-2 minutes less than package directions as it tends to soften more during the simmering phase
• Check that your Worcestershire sauce is gluten-free, as some brands contain wheat

Dairy-Free Modifications

• This recipe is naturally dairy-free as written
• For extra richness, add 2 tablespoons olive oil or dairy-free butter when sautéing vegetables
• Top with nutritional yeast instead of cheese for a savory, umami boost

Low-Carb Version

• Replace elbow pasta with spiralized zucchini noodles or cauliflower rice
• Add zucchini noodles in the last 5 minutes of simmering to prevent overcooking
• Use cauliflower rice and reduce simmering time to 10-15 minutes
• This modification reduces carbs from approximately 45g to 8g per serving

Flavor Variations

• Italian-style: Replace chili powder with Italian seasoning and add diced bell peppers
• Mediterranean twist: Add kalamata olives, sun-dried tomatoes, and oregano
• Spicier version: Include diced chipotle peppers and increase chili powder to 2 teaspoons
• Protein boost: Add 1 can black beans or kidney beans with the corn

Nutritional Information and Health Benefits

Key Nutritional Highlights

This hearty Cowboy Goulash provides approximately 385 calories per serving with a balanced macronutrient profile. Each serving delivers roughly 24g protein from the ground beef, 48g carbohydrates from the pasta and vegetables, and 8g fat. The dish provides excellent fiber content at about 4g per serving from the vegetables, corn, and whole grain pasta if substituted.

Health Benefits of Main Ingredients

The ground beef supplies complete protein with all essential amino acids, plus important minerals like iron, zinc, and B-vitamins crucial for energy metabolism. Bell peppers and tomatoes contribute significant vitamin C – more than 100% of daily needs per serving – along with antioxidants like lycopene and beta-carotene that support immune function and heart health. The corn adds fiber and folate, while garlic and onions provide sulfur compounds with anti-inflammatory properties. Jalapeños contain capsaicin, which may boost metabolism and provide pain-relieving benefits.

Dietary Considerations

This recipe is naturally gluten-containing due to the pasta, but easily adaptable for gluten-free diets. It’s dairy-free as written and provides a good balance of protein and complex carbohydrates, making it suitable for active individuals and growing families. The moderate sodium content comes primarily from canned goods, which can be reduced by using low-sodium versions.

Smart Swaps and Ingredient Substitutions

Common Substitutions:

• Ground round → Ground turkey, ground chicken, or plant-based ground meat (adjust cooking time as poultry cooks faster)
• Elbow pasta → Penne, rotini, or shells work equally well for holding the sauce
• Ro-tel tomatoes → Regular diced tomatoes plus 1 minced jalapeño and 1/4 teaspoon cayenne
• Fresh garlic → 1 teaspoon garlic powder (add with other dry spices to prevent burning)

Budget-Friendly Swaps:

• Ground round → Ground chuck (higher fat content, so drain well after browning)
• Fresh bell peppers → 1 cup frozen pepper strips, thawed and drained
• Whole kernel corn → 1.5 cups frozen corn, no need to thaw before adding

Pantry Emergency Substitutions:

• Worcestershire sauce → 1 tablespoon soy sauce plus 1/2 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
• Chili powder → 1/2 teaspoon cumin plus 1/2 teaspoon paprika plus pinch of cayenne
• Fresh jalapeño → 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes or 2-3 dashes hot sauce

Pro Tips for Substitutions:

• When using ground turkey, add 1 tablespoon olive oil to prevent sticking
• Frozen vegetables should be added directly to the hot skillet without thawing to prevent excess moisture

Make It Diabetes-Friendly

Carb Modifications:

• Replace regular elbow pasta with whole wheat pasta to reduce glycemic impact and add fiber
• Use 8 oz pasta instead of 16 oz and bulk up with additional diced bell peppers and zucchini
• Shirataki noodles or palmini pasta can replace traditional pasta for ultra-low carb option
• Add 1 cup diced zucchini and 1 cup diced yellow squash to increase volume without carbs

Portion & Timing Tips:

• Stick to 1 cup servings rather than larger portions to manage carbohydrate intake
• Estimated carbs per modified serving: 28g with whole wheat pasta, 12g with vegetable additions
• Pair with a side salad with olive oil dressing to add healthy fats that slow glucose absorption
• Protein content remains high at 24g per serving, helping stabilize blood sugar

Blood Sugar Management:

• The combination of protein from beef and fiber from vegetables helps moderate glucose response
• Vinegar-based hot sauce can be added as studies suggest vinegar may help with post-meal blood sugar
• Consider serving alongside roasted non-starchy vegetables like broccoli or green beans

Total Carb Reduction: Modified version reduces carbs from 48g to approximately 28g per serving while maintaining satisfying portion sizes.

Perfect Pairing Suggestions

Beverage Pairings

A cold Mexican lager like Corona or Dos Equis complements the Tex-Mex flavors beautifully, while the crisp finish cuts through the richness. For wine lovers, a medium-bodied red wine such as Tempranillo or Zinfandel matches the hearty beef and spice level perfectly. Non-alcoholic options include fresh limeade with a pinch of chili powder, or iced tea with lemon to balance the dish’s warmth and spice.

Side Dish Recommendations

Cornbread or warm flour tortillas provide the perfect vehicle for scooping up every last bit of this hearty goulash. A crisp iceberg lettuce salad with lime vinaigrette offers refreshing contrast to the rich, warm flavors. Mexican street corn (elote) or simple grilled corn on the cob doubles down on the southwestern theme while adding fresh, smoky elements. Avocado slices with lime and salt provide cooling creaminess that balances the jalapeño heat.

Complete Meal Ideas

Start with fresh guacamole and tortilla chips as an appetizer, serve the goulash as your main course, and finish with tres leches cake or churros with chocolate sauce for dessert. For casual entertaining, set up a goulash bar with toppings like shredded cheese, sour cream, chopped cilantro, and sliced jalapeños so guests can customize their bowls.

Occasion Suggestions

This recipe shines at casual family gatherings, potluck dinners, and game day parties where hearty, satisfying food is the goal. It’s perfect for chilly autumn evenings and makes excellent meal prep for busy weeknights throughout the week.

Pro Tips and Troubleshooting

Professional Techniques

Brown the beef in batches if your skillet seems crowded – overcrowding creates steam instead of the flavorful browning you want. Salt the pasta water generously (it should taste like seawater) to ensure the noodles are well-seasoned from the inside out. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta cooking water before draining, as the starchy water can help bind the sauce if the mixture seems too dry during simmering.

Common Mistake Prevention

Don’t overcook the pasta initially – it will continue cooking during the 20-25 minute simmer, so aim for just shy of al dente. Drain the corn thoroughly to prevent watery goulash, and pat it dry with paper towels if necessary. Taste and adjust seasoning at the end of cooking, as the flavors concentrate during simmering and you may need additional salt or chili powder.

Storage and Reheating

This goulash improves overnight as flavors meld, making it perfect for meal prep. Store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat gently with a splash of water or broth to restore moisture, as pasta tends to absorb liquid during storage. Add fresh jalapeños or hot sauce when reheating to brighten the flavors.

Recipe Scaling

This recipe doubles easily for large gatherings – just use your largest pot and extend browning time slightly. For smaller households, halve the recipe but use the same simmering time. Make-ahead strategy: Brown the beef mixture up to 2 days ahead, then combine with freshly cooked pasta when ready to serve.

This Cowboy Goulash proves that the best comfort food doesn’t require complicated techniques or exotic ingredients – just quality basics combined with a little southwestern flair and enough simmering time to let all those flavors become best friends in the pot.