Grandma's Comfort Food: Seeking a Classic Recipe

[kcjodih]

I'm not even sure what this is called but my nanna used to make a dish with garlic, ground beef, canned tomatoes, macaroni noodles and I'm not sure what else. It was nice and thick and ohh so good! Sadly, she's been gone for over 20 years and I have no other family to speak of. And my MIL's cooking leaves alot to be desired.

Does anyone have a favorite version of this type of recipe? Maybe one that's been in THEIR family forever? I tried allrecipes but everything had different types of cheese added to it. Thanks in advance!

 

[Teresa Lynn]

Goulash is what my family called it don't have a written recipe but this is how i make itI brown my ground beef (2 pounds my family likes it pretty chunky) drain it (or use ground turkey)
add 1 large fresh diced onion and cook until transparent
Add 2 lg cans of tomato sauce and 1 can water
1 can of diced tomatoes
add garlic salt to taste simmer
just before serving add 1 more can of water bring to a boil pour in macaroni cook until plump

 

[cookingwith_tara]

I seem to remember something like that when I was growing up too. And yep, it was yummy! Maybe some onions in the ground beef. And I thought I remember vegetables like a bag of frozen mixed. Maybe? I dunno - but I"m going to try it now. Ooh, brings back a lot of memories of my Nanny. THanks :~D

 

[kcjodih]

Goulash is what my family called it don't have a written recipe but this is how i make it

I brown my ground beef (2 pounds my family likes it pretty chunky) drain it (or use ground turkey)
add 1 large fresh diced onion and cook until transparent
Add 2 lg cans of tomato sauce and 1 can water
1 can of diced tomatoes
add garlic salt to taste simmer
just before serving add 1 more can of water bring to a boil pour in macaroni cook until plump

So you cook the macaroni right in the beef/tomato mixture? Boy I'm glad I asked! I thought you'd boil the noodles, mix the beef/tomato and then combine...

 

[Teresa Lynn]

My grandma did pre cook it (of course she only had home canned tomatoes and sauce & home grown onions but mine is almost identical to hers I can duplicate many of her cooked recipes that she never wrote down we were joined at the hip in the kitchen). When she baked I was my grandpa's shadow that didn't interest me still doesn't.When I make lasagna, goulash or my chicken spaghetti casserole I never precook the pasta. Depending on the brand i do need to occassionally add a little more water.When I'm really homesick I make it in my crockpot and let it simmer all day and add macaroni about 15 minutes before we want to eat.
We eat this with white bread and butter 'cuz thats how grandma served it.

 

[peichef]

So you cook the macaroni right in the beef/tomato mixture? Boy I'm glad I asked! I thought you'd boil the noodles, mix the beef/tomato and then combine...

you could pre-cook the macaroni, but if you cook it in the tomatoes the "sauce" won't be as runny. I assume the starch from the pasta thickens the sauce. Where's Kacey when we need her?!?!

 

[chefann]

you could pre-cook the macaroni, but if you cook it in the tomatoes the "sauce" won't be as runny. I assume the starch from the pasta thickens the sauce. Where's Kacey when we need her?!?!

That's true- just like in the Creamy One Pot Pasta. It would also absorb some of the liquid.

 

[jrstephens]

Here's Paula Deen's recipe: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/paula-deen/bobbys-goulash-recipe2/index.html

I have not tried it yet, but it sure looks good when she fixes it.

 

[tlag1986]

My Mom made something similar, but used Velveeta cheese at the end. It was always a big hit with the family.

 

[crystalscookingnow]

Teresa's recipe is exactly how I remember my granny's. My friend makes it too & this is what she does. Goulash is what we called it, too. In fact, that's what I thought immediately when I look at the title of this thread!

 

[pamperedharriet]

We call it American Chop Suey.

 

[Teresa Lynn]

so, how was it???

 

[PamperedDor]

My mom made something we called Noodle stuff - ground beef, onions, green peppers, small shell pasta, canned diced tomatoes, parmesan cheese and salt and pepper (I think ) -- I have a call into her (she doesn't have a cell!) so when she tells me the correct ingredients, I will post (maybe have her make me some as well!!)