Name: School Cafeteria Goulash
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Ingredients: 3 cups dry elbow macaroni; 2¼ lb ground beef; 2 Tbsp dried minced onion flakes; 1 (6-oz) can tomato paste; 1 (14.5-oz) can diced tomatoes, (undrained); 1½ cups beef broth; ¼ tsp black pepper; 1 tsp garlic powder; 2 tsp chili powder; 1 tsp ground cumin; ¼ tsp paprika; ¼ tsp onion powder; 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

School Cafeteria Goulash – a classic dish from your childhood lunchroom. Tender pasta simmered in a rich ground beef and tomato-based sauce that is ready in under 30 minutes! Comfort food at its best! Ground beef, onion, tomato paste, diced tomatoes, beef broth, pepper, garlic, chili powder, cumin, paprika, macaroni noodles, and cheese. Great for a quick weeknight meal or a potluck. Everyone LOVES this pasta!

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Lunch Lady Ground Beef and Macaroni

This Lunch Lady Goulash recipe is a classic dish from your childhood. I found the recipe in an old government cookbook and I couldn’t resist giving this a try. Ground beef, onion, tomato paste, diced tomatoes, beef broth, pepper, garlic, chili powder, cumin, paprika, macaroni noodles, and cheese. Comfort food at its best! SO simple and super delicious. I am pretty sure my lunchroom never served something so yummy!

skillet of cheese topped macaroni and beef skillet

How to Make School Cafeteria Goulash

This recipe is super easy to make with only a few simple ingredients. Start with cooking elbow macaroni according to the package directions. Drain and set aside. In a large skillet or Dutch oven, cook ground beef on medium-high heat until no longer pink. Drain excess fat. Add onion, tomato paste, diced tomatoes, beef broth, black pepper, garlic powder, chili powder, ground cumin, paprika, and onion powder. Stir in cooked pasta noodles. Simmer over medium heat until heated through, about 5 to 10 minutes. Top the pasta with shredded cheese, garnish with dried parsley, and serve.

Tips & Frequently Asked Questions

Can substitute ground turkey for ground beef.
I use beef broth in this recipe for extra flavor. You can substitute water if you prefer.
What can you add to goulash? Feel free to add your favorite vegetables to the mix. Bell peppers, black beans, olives would be great.
The recipe listed an alternative Italian seasoning blend option. Omit the chili powder, ground cumin, paprika, and onion powder and use the following spices:
- 1 ¼ tsp dried basil
- 2 tsp dried oregano
- 2 tsp dried marjoram
- ¼ tsp dried thyme
  - I use mozzarella cheese if using the Italian seasoning blend.
I use dried minced onion flakes. Feel free to substitute 1 cup of fresh chopped onions. Cook the raw onion in the skillet with the ground beef.
Can School Cafeteria Goulash be made in advance? Yes! You can make the dish ahead of time and store in the refrigerator for later. When ready to reheat and serve, heat the sauce on the stove top and add in the pasta. Cook over medium-low heat until warm.
- If making this exclusively as a make-ahead meal, I suggest not adding the pasta until you reheat the dish.
- If you want to make the pasta in advance, toss it with olive oil so it doesn’t stick together.
Can School Cafeteria Goulash be frozen? Yes! Make the dish and let it cool before transferring to sealable freezer bags or an airtight container. It will keep well for 3 months. When ready to eat, Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating on the stovetop.
- If this is exclusively a freezer meal, I do suggest waiting to add the pasta until you reheat the dish.

plate of macaroni and beef casserole topped with avocado and tomatoes

What to Serve with American Goulash

We like to top this dish with our favorite taco toppings – lettuce, tomatoes, avocado, salsa, sour cream, and more cheese. This is a hearty dish that doesn’t require a lot of side dishes. We usually serve this with a salad and some rolls. Green beans or broccoli are also delicious! Add this to your menu ASAP! I am sure it will be a hit with the whole family. Even those picky eaters!!

Looking for more side dish ideas? Here are a few of our favorite recipes from the blog that go great with this old-fashioned ground beef and macaroni:

Vegetables