Army Style Goulash
I ate this a lot in the field (field chow) and somehow it is still one of my favorite things to eat that the Army serves.
I ate this a lot in the field (field chow) and somehow it is still one of my favorite things to eat that the Army serves.
- Carbohydrate 32.8439859495972 g
- Cholesterol 99.4123277233333 mg
- Fat 19.667531299642 g
- Fiber 2.52867970860865 g
- Protein 28.2913300528434 g
- Saturated Fat 9.84129484256322 g
- Serving Size 1 1 Serving (214g)
- Sodium 333.070373331528 mg
- Sugar 30.3153062409886 g
- Trans Fat 1.59027168951052 g
- Calories 424 calories
Step-by-step
- Brown beef with onion, bellpepper, and garlic in large pan.
- Add cooked noodles.
- Add all tomatoes and seasoning.
- Layer in cassarole dish with cheese.
- Bake at 350 for about 15 to 20 minutes.
While traditional Hungarian goulash relies on large chunks of stew meat and a heavy hand of paprika, this military variation utilizes inexpensive ground beef and pantry staples like canned diced tomatoes. Budget cooking requires managing moisture levels carefully, especially when combining pasta and canned tomato products in a single dish. Ground beef provides substantial fat, which should be drained thoroughly after browning if you want to prevent a greasy layer from pooling at the top of the casserole during baking.
Mastering Texture and Sequencing
Cooking elbow macaroni separately until it reaches al dente prevents the pasta from turning mushy when subjected to an additional 20 minutes in a 350-degree oven. Aromatics such as onions and green bell peppers need to sweat alongside the raw beef until translucent, releasing their natural sugars to balance the acidity of the tomatoes. Layering the shredded cheese directly into the casserole rather than dumping it all on top ensures even melting throughout the mixture, while Worcestershire sauce adds umami depth without requiring expensive broths.
- Drain browned ground beef through a fine-mesh strainer if excess grease threatens to overwhelm the sauce.
- Bake the assembled casserole uncovered for 15 to 20 minutes to allow excess moisture to evaporate.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days.
