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.

Nutriscore Rating: 68/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:45 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 4

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

Directions

Step 1

Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat.

Step 2

Add the diced onion and cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened and translucent.

Step 3

Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another 1-2 minutes, until fragrant.

Step 4

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.

Step 5

Stir in the paprika and ground caraway seeds, coating the meat mixture evenly with the spices.

Step 6

Add the tomato paste and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, to deepen the flavor.

Step 7

Pour in the crushed tomatoes and beef or chicken stock. Stir to combine, scraping the bottom of the pot to release any browned bits.

Step 8

Add the bay leaves, salt, and black pepper. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil.

Step 9

Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and let the goulash base simmer uncovered for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Adjust seasoning as needed.

Step 10

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

Serving size	1534.7 grams (1534.7g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1668

Total Fat 124.40g	159%
Saturated Fat 42.10g	211%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.70g
Cholesterol 373mg	124%
Sodium 4489mg	195%
Total Carbohydrate 54.10g	20%
Dietary Fiber 14.60g	52%
Total Sugars 22.80g
Protein 92.40g	185%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 276mg	21%
Iron 20mg	112%
Potassium 3252mg	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.

Source of Calories

Fat: 65.6%

Protein: 21.7%

Carbs: 12.7%