Description
This Low Sodium American Goulash is a heart-healthy, comforting dish featuring lean ground beef, low sodium tomato sauce, and elbow macaroni simmered together to create a flavorful one-pot meal. Perfect for a nutritious weeknight dinner that doesn’t sacrifice taste, this recipe offers a rich blend of paprika and Italian seasoning with a cheesy finish, while keeping sodium levels in check.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 2 cups low sodium tomato sauce
- 1 can (14 ounces) no salt added diced tomatoes
- 1 1/2 cups low sodium beef broth
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni
Optional Toppings
- 1/2 cup shredded low sodium cheddar cheese
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Sauté Aromatics: Heat the olive oil in a large pot or deep skillet over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and cook for about 3 to 4 minutes until softened. Stir in the minced garlic and diced green bell pepper and cook for another minute to release their flavors.
- Brown the Beef: Add the lean ground beef to the pot and cook until browned, breaking it apart with a spoon as it cooks. Drain any excess fat if necessary to keep the dish lean.
- Add Liquids and Spices: Stir in the low sodium tomato sauce, no salt added diced tomatoes, low sodium beef broth, paprika, Italian seasoning, and black pepper. Mix everything thoroughly and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer over medium heat.
- Cook the Pasta: Add the uncooked elbow macaroni to the simmering sauce, stirring well to combine all ingredients. Cover the pot and let it cook for 12 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed.
- Optional Cheese Topping: If desired, sprinkle the shredded low sodium cheddar cheese over the top of the goulash. Cover the pot again and let the cheese melt for a few minutes before serving.
- Garnish and Serve: Garnish with the chopped fresh parsley for a burst of freshness and serve the goulash warm for a satisfying meal.
Notes
- Using no salt added canned tomatoes and low sodium broth keeps this dish heart healthy while maintaining its rich flavor.
- Taste the goulash before serving and adjust seasoning using herbs and spices instead of extra salt.
- Draining excess fat after browning the beef reduces the saturated fat content and makes the dish leaner.
- For a vegetarian version, substitute lentils or plant-based ground meat and use vegetable broth.
