Everyone has a different definition for goulash, but they all have one thing in common: comfort.

It usually has a pasta componentsometimes elbow pasta, sometimes other shapes.

And of course there will almost always be tomatoes as a base for a sauce.

Southern Living Goulash in the pan ready to serve

Credit:Robby Lozano; Food Stylist: Marianne Williams; Prop Stylist: Keoshia McGhee

This recipe is a savory, rich, and incredibly comforting version of an all-American favorite.

(There is a Hungarian goulash; it’s different and equally wonderful.)

But consider this version an upgraded, just-really-good remake of that famous boxed dinner with the talking oven mitt.

Southern Living Goulash ingredients

Credit:Robby Lozano; Food Stylist: Marianne Williams; Prop Stylist: Keoshia McGhee

Here, learn how to make American goulash, one of our favorite dishes of all time.

1tsp.smoked paprika

1/2tsp.crushed red pepper

2(15-oz.

Cook ground beef:

Push onions to edges of pot and add beef to center.

Southern Living Goulash cooking the onion

Credit:Robby Lozano; Food Stylist: Marianne Williams; Prop Stylist: Keoshia McGhee

Cook, undisturbed, for 3 minutes.

Add cheese:

Remove from heat and stir in 3/4 cup of the cheese.

Top evenly with remaining 3/4 cup cheese and cover pot until cheese is melted, about 2 minutes.

Southern Living Goulash adding the beef to the onions

Credit:Robby Lozano; Food Stylist: Marianne Williams; Prop Stylist: Keoshia McGhee

Southern Living Goulash adding the tomato paste ot the beef mixture

Credit:Robby Lozano; Food Stylist: Marianne Williams; Prop Stylist: Keoshia McGhee

Southern Living Goulash adding the liquid to the beef mixture

Credit:Robby Lozano; Food Stylist: Marianne Williams; Prop Stylist: Keoshia McGhee

Southern Living Goulash adding the pasta to the dish

Credit:Robby Lozano; Food Stylist: Marianne Williams; Prop Stylist: Keoshia McGhee

Southern Living Goulash adding the cheese and cooking until melted

Credit:Robby Lozano; Food Stylist: Marianne Williams; Prop Stylist: Keoshia McGhee

Southern Living Goulash in a bowl ready to serve

Credit:Robby Lozano; Food Stylist: Marianne Williams; Prop Stylist: Keoshia McGhee