Goulash Base Recipe
Dive into the heartwarming flavors of this versatile Goulash Base Recipe, a rich and aromatic foundation for the ultimate comfort food. Made with tender ground beef or pork, sweet paprika, earthy caraway seeds, and a medley of pantry essentials like tomato paste and crushed tomatoes, this one-pot recipe comes together in just an hour. Simmered to perfection with bay leaves and broth, it creates a deeply flavorful sauce that can be tailored to your liking—serve it as is, pair it with tender noodles, or bulk it up with hearty vegetables. Perfect for meal prepping or feeding a crowd, this easy goulash base is your ticket to a satisfying and customizable family favorite.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium, diced yellow onion
- 3 minced garlic cloves
- 1 pound ground beef or pork
- 2 tablespoons paprika
- 1 teaspoon ground caraway seeds
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 14-ounce can crushed tomatoes
- 2 cups beef or chicken stock
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 teaspoon (or to taste) salt
- 0.5 teaspoon (or to taste) black pepper
Instructions
Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat.
Add the diced onion and cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened and translucent.
Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another 1-2 minutes, until fragrant.
Add the ground beef or pork to the pot. Cook for 6-8 minutes, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon, until browned and fully cooked. Drain any excess fat if necessary.
Stir in the paprika and ground caraway seeds, coating the meat mixture evenly with the spices.
Add the tomato paste and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, to deepen the flavor.
Pour in the crushed tomatoes and beef or chicken stock. Stir to combine, scraping the bottom of the pot to release any browned bits.
Add the bay leaves, salt, and black pepper. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil.
Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and let the goulash base simmer uncovered for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Adjust seasoning as needed.
Remove the bay leaves before serving. Use as a base for traditional goulash or customize with additional ingredients like cooked pasta, vegetables, or potatoes.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
1668 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 124.4 g | 159% | |
| Saturated Fat | 42.1 g | 210% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2.7 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 373 mg | 124% | |
| Sodium | 4489 mg | 195% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 54.1 g | 20% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 14.6 g | 52% | |
| Total Sugars | 22.8 g | ||
| Protein | 92.4 g | 185% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 276 mg | 21% | |
| Iron | 20.1 mg | 112% | |
| Potassium | 3252 mg | 69% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
