Bonny....my grandma made goulash the same way your Mom did, it was simple but oh so delicious♥. I know her recipe was ground beef, canned whole tomatoes (she would crush them in the pan, but for me it always smashes the macaroni, so I do crush them in a bowl first, or buy crushed). I know she used onion and I add garlic powder although I don't know that was one of her ingredients (lol...even garlic powder back then was considered "exotic" by some). I think the secret to my Gandma's was chili powder....I know she used it, just not sure how much....you couldn't really taste it and think "hmmmm....chili powder", it was not a strong note in the dish.
Brown ground beef and onion, while you're cooking the macaroni. Cook the macaroni a minute or so less than package instructions because you'll cook it for a bit, after adding to the ground beef mixture.
To the beef add....can of tomatoes, garlic powder, onion powder (if you don't use fresh onion browned with your beef), salt , pepper and probably a tablespoon of chili powder. Now, add your macaroni, simmer for another few minutes.
I'm known here for my "one-dish" meals so I add a cup or so of frozen corn to my goulash. The goulash along with a nice salad and bread and your meal is complete with 2-3 vegetable servings.
Oh...also, don't know how much of a difference it makes but I think it must be huge for the best flavor.....My Grandma always cooked her goulash in a great big cast-iron skillet.
My group likes to added shredded cheddar cheese but I don't, preferring the flavors of the goulash not be overwhelmed by cheese flavor.
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