Healthy Goulash *Wheat-Free*

This is the ultimate comfort food and one of those quick dinner ideas that you will want to make over and over again.  It just goes to show you that you can have those favorites and still eat healthy.  This meal is perfect with a large, green salad on a cold winter night.  Oh and maybe a glass of red wine 🙂

This recipe is part of my cookbook, The Everything Wheat-Free Diet Cookbook.   If you like my cookbook, please leave me a positive review on Amazon and Barnes & Noble.  Pretty please?

My Healthier Version of Goulash

• 2 pounds lean ground beef ( I used 97% lean, but you can also use ground turkey or chicken)
• 2 large yellow onions, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, chopped
• 3 cups water
• 2 (15 ounce) cans tomato sauce ( I used organic, low sodium)
• 2(14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce (make sure to use wheat-free)
• 1 tablespoon worcestershire sauce (wheat-free)
• 2 tablespoons dried Italian herb seasoning ( I used a blend of basil, oregano, thyme, marjoram and rosemary)
• 1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 3 bay leaves
• 1/4 cup white sharp cheddar, shredded ( I used organic reduced fat sharp white cheddar)
• 2 cups uncooked gluten-free elbow macaroni

1. In a large Dutch oven, cook and stir the ground beef over medium-high heat, breaking the meat up as it cooks, until the meat is no longer pink and has started to brown, about 10 minutes. Skim off excess fat, and stir in the onions and garlic. Cook and stir the meat mixture until the onions are translucent, about 10 more minutes.
2. Stir in water, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, Italian seasoning, bay leaves, paprika, dry mustard and salt, and bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
3. Stir in the macaroni, cover, and simmer over low heat until the pasta is tender, about 25 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat, discard bay leaves, and top with shredded cheese.  Mix well and serve.

Kids love this too, it’s almost like a healthy hamburger helper?  Maybe a little bit?

*Nutritional information provided by www.caloriecount.com, not 100% guaranteed accurate

Trust me, you need to make this soon.  It’s easy, healthy and delicious.   It’s my kind of perfect!