BJ Brinker’s Home Cooking: Small Batch Baked Goulash

 If you want to make just goulash without the cheese, omit the beef stock and cheese.  Do not put it n the oven, just serve once you’ve added the macaroni.  Goes great with Small Batch Bread Sticks.

SMALL BATCH BAKED CHEESY GOULASH

(serves 2)

Ingredients:

*1 cup dry macaroni

*1/2 pound ground beef

*1 1/2  cups stewed tomatoes

*1/2 cup beef stock

*1/3 cup tomato paste

*1/2 cup onion, chopped

*1/4 cup green bell pepper, chopped 

*1/4 cup red bell pepper, chopped

*1 garlic clove, minced

*1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

*1/2 teaspoon salt

*1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika

*2 teaspoons Italian seasoning

*1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded

Directions:

~Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

~Spay a small casserole dish with cooking spray.

~Cook as directed on the package (about 15 minutes).

~In a medium skillet over medium heat, ground beef, onions, green pepper, red pepper and garlic.

~Break up beef into crumbles as it cooks.

~Cook until beef is no longer pink.

~Drain any excess grease.

~Stir in salt, pepper, smoke paprika, and Italian seasoning, stirring for 30-60 seconds.

~Stir in stewed tomatoes, beef stock and tomato paste.

~Sir in macaroni.

~Place in prepared casserole dish.

~Sprinkle mozzarella cheese over the top.

~Bake for 30 minutes.