Ah, The Goodness of Goulash!
I grew up eating our family’s form of goulash and we’ve passed it on to our new generations. Through the years, changes have been made. But I do know that the quick and easy, evolved version I make now is like stepping back into childhood, complete with all the warmth and comfort that it brings.
The Comfort Food Evolution
My grandmother had her version of goulash and then my mother made it for me and my brothers. It consisted of hamburger meat, onions, a can of tomatoes, spices, and herbs. This was my introduction to family goulash until I began a vegetarian way of life and left the meat eating behind. Enter, the Morningstar griller patty, my go-to meat substitute for many years. I depended on these as part of my family’s dinners when I got married and had our family. However, we needed a new vegan equivalent for our recipes when we walked away from all forms of animal ingredients.
Choices for my vegan goulash ingredients
Lucky for us, there are plenty of vegan hamburger substitutes to choose from today. We currently use Beyond Burger and it’s delicious. There’s also Gardein and so many others to choose from. But if you’re looking for something less processed, then seasoned tempeh will work.
And my Mom didn’t put garlic in her goulash but I like a lot of garlic. My Aunt didn’t like pieces of tomatoes so she blended the can of tomatoes before adding them to the recipe but I enjoy the chunky tomatoes. Then I like to finish it off with a hefty topping of my homemade vegan grated cheese.
I will add a splash of red wine, if I have it on hand, to deglaze the pan, before adding the tomatoes. This gives it a little something extra. I have also blended in faux beef broth but that didn’t add anything to the dish so I don’t bother now.
My go-to recipe
Now this recipe is so quick and easy while being one of the homiest and most satisfying in my rotation. So when I’m tired and can’t think of what I want to cook, I know I have all the ingredients for this meal and I don’t need to follow measurements or double-check the notes.
And when I sit down to a bowl of goulash with its warmth and its savory aroma, I am full and happy. You can’t beat that!
P.S.
For the true definition and history of Goulash click here.
But you don’t need to know its origins to have a bowl. Go make it and enjoy!
Goulash
Ingredients
- 8 ounces elbow or shell pasta
- 1 14.5 ounce can of diced tomatoes
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 beyond burgers, thawed
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon oregano or marjoram
- 1 teaspoon basil
- 1/4 cup red wine- optional
- 1/3 cup vegan grated cheese
- 2 tablespoons fresh chopped parsley- optional
Instructions
- Set a pot of water on the burner to bring to a boil for pasta.Heat a medium/large skillet on medium heat. Add oil.Cook onions until translucent.Add thawed vegan burgers to the pan and brown.Add in garlic, paprika, oregano, and basil, and cook for 30 seconds.Add red wine if using and cook until liquids are gone.Stir in tomatoes and cook on a low simmer.When pasta has cooked for approximately 10 minutes and is soft, drain but don't rinse. Then add to sauce, and mix.Top with vegan grated cheese and fresh parsley if using..
