Goulash is another ethnic dish (like pizza or frogmore stew) that has not culinary commonality in Amish history, but it gets introduced into their community, embraced, and adopted. Almost every Amish cookbook now has a goulash recipe in it, even though the dish has Hungarian roots, not Amish.
🍲 What is Goulash?
Goulash is typically a stew made with hamburger, veggies, and paprika. The funny thing is that this "goulash" recipe doesn't even have paprika, so I think the term "goulash" has sort of evolved into a more garden-variety stew.
According to Food.com, there are two types of goulashes, the slow-cooking Hungarian version and the one-pot American kind, which is described as:
American goulash is a one-pot dish of ground beef, pasta (often elbow macaroni), tomatoes and cheese. Sometimes it includes paprika, like its Hungarian counterpart. Since American goulash calls for ground beef, it cooks much faster than Hungarian goulash which relies on low-and-slow cooking to render the beef tender.
This easy goulash recipe definitely fits into the American goulash recipe category. It is the ultimate comfort food, with easy, accessible ingredients and lots of flavor!
📋 Step-by-Step Amish Goulash
A hearty, hot goulash can really be perfect on a crisp autumn or winter day. Goulash is popular in the Amish settlement in Aylmer, Ontario and is often served at weddings there.
Brown hamburger and onion and then add chili powder, garlic salt, black pepper to taste. Drain off grease from the meat.
While that is all going, cook some elbow macaroni noodles over medium-high heat. Drain and add to the meat mixture after the macaroni is fully cooked. And this is where you can add other seasonings and spices to your taste. That might include Italian seasoning, bay leaves, bell peppers, oregano, basil, or caraway seeds. You can add some more veggies in like peas, spinach, or diced celery to add some crunch. Carrots and potatoes are other vegetables that could be added.
It is an amazing meld of flavors. You can read more about the Aylmer, Ontario Amish here. I like to have this with a side caesar salad or some garlic bread.
Of course, in Canada, goulashes and meaty soups are going to be a staple in the winter. Interestingly, though, Aylmer Ontario is much farther south than, say, Amish communities in Maine or Minnesota, but it just seems like it should be colder there because it is Canada!
Serve warm in bowls. Sprinkle cheddar cheese, Parmesan cheese or a dollop of sour cream on top if you want before serving. It'll look perfect to post on Facebook or Instagram!
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator or freezer.
❓ FAQ Goulash Questions
Yes! You can replace the hamburger with ground turkey, Italia sausage, or even venison
Yes, make it early in the day and let it simmer and you'll get a delicious one-pot goulash. This could also be made in a Dutch Oven.
🥘 More Delicious Amish Casseroles
Amish Country Casserole - A classic!
Amish Ham Casserole - Delicious!
Big Beefy Montana Casserole- A giant among casseroles!
Comfort Casserole - You can never go wrong with rice!
🖨️ Full Recipe
Delicious Amish Goulash
Ingredients
- ½ pound hamburger
- ½ pound elbow macaroni
- ½ sweet onion
- Garlic Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- chili powder, to taste
- Quart of canned tomatoes
- ½ cup mild salsa
- ¼ cup tomato ketchup
Instructions
- Brown hamburger and medium onion.
- Add chili powder, garlic salt, black pepper to taste.
- Drain off grease from the meat.
- Cooked elbow macaron in salted water until almost done, drained and then added to the meat mixture
- Add quart of tomatoes, ketchup and salsa to the meat and macaroni. Simmer for about 20 to 30 min.
Lorraine Kollock
This is nothing like the goulash my Hungarian grandmother made.
Kevin Williams
Yum, Hungarian goulash...definitely different from this Amish version
Ger
Share that recipe! I bet people would be interested. Thanks
Mary Laisure
We call this Johnny Marzetti in my part of Ohio. Hungarian Goulash has chucks of beef onion, potatoes, carrots and Kohlrabi. I got this recipe from a cook book I bought years ago from the Hungarian Reformed Church (United Church of Christ) in Columbus, Ohio. It has all kinds of Hungarian recipes in it.
Kevin Williams
Yes, it does look just like a variation of Johnny Marzetti!