American Goulash

01Method

1. 1

   Measure and prepare all ingredients before starting.

2. 2

   Warm the oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and onion, breaking the meat apart as it cooks until browned and the onion is soft, about 5 minutes. Continue cooking until any liquid has cooked off, 3–5 minutes more. Stir in the garlic, bay leaves, paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, black pepper, and cayenne.

3. 3

   Let everything cook together, stirring occasionally, for about 3 minutes to develop the flavors. Add the chicken broth, marinara sauce, and diced tomatoes. Rinse the sauce jar with the water and pour it into the pot. Stir in the soy sauce and bring to a simmer. Lower the heat to medium and simmer for 30 minutes to deepen the flavors.

4. 4

   Raise the heat to medium-high to reach a rapid simmer. Add the macaroni and cook, stirring from time to time, until just barely tender, about 12 minutes — check for doneness at the 10-minute mark.

5. 5

   Take the pot off the heat and remove the bay leaves. Stir in the cheddar and parsley. Cover the pot and allow to rest for 5 minutes, then taste and adjust seasoning as needed.