Old-Fashioned Goulash

This old-fashioned goulash is super easy, quick, and tasty! Fed our family for two nights, so at least a good eight servings here. Probably more, but we can go with eight. Total cost: $11.21.

Ingredients:

1 lb. ground beef ($4.00)

1 onion, diced ($0.58)

1 green pepper, diced ($0.88)

1/4 tsp. red pepper flakes ($0.01)

4 cloves garlic, minced ($0.20)

1 tsp. salt ($0.01)

1/4 tsp. pepper ($0.01)

1 c. tomato soup ($0.68)

1 14.5 oz. can diced tomatoes ($0.88)

1/2 c. water

1 4 oz. can mushroom pieces and stems ($1.50)

1 14.5 oz. can cut green beans ($0.58)

1 14.5 oz can corn ($0.58)

1 1/2 c. macaroni ($0.36)

1 c. shredded cheese ($0.94)

In a large dutch oven or soup pot, combine the ground beef, onion, green pepper, red pepper flakes, garlic, salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the beef is browned and the onion is translucent. Drain.

Add in tomato soup, tomatoes, water, mushrooms, green beans, and corn. Stir well. Cover and simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.

In a separate saucepan, prepare the macaroni. Fill pan about 2/3 full with water, bring to a boil, and add macaroni. Cook for 11-13 minutes, depending on how tender you want your macaroni. My girls are always annoyed if it's not super tender. Drain and set aside.

When the ground beef mixture in the soup pot is done simmering, add the cooked macaroni and stir well.

Top servings with cheese. Serve with garlic bread and salad.