This recipe came together somewhat unplanned, but after tasting it, I knew I had to share. The flavor reminded me of an Italian goulash recipe that my mom used to make when I was a kid. It was actually my grandma’s recipe, hence the name, grandma’s Italian goulash.
I always loved grandma’s goulash growing up and the flavor of this kinda brought me back. Her recipe included elbow macaroni, ground beef, celery, oregano and tomatoes, so obviously mine is quite a bit different, but still reflects a similar flavor. And, it’s both delicious and easy!
Grandma’s Italian Goulash
Ingredients:
- 1/2 Tbsp grass-fed butter or ghee
- 1 yellow onion, chopped
- 3 large cloves garlic, minced
- 1 fennel bulb, thinly sliced
- 1 1/4 lb grass-fed ground beef
- 1/2 large head of green cabbage, chopped
- 14 oz can no salt added fire-roasted tomatoes
- 2 Tbsp dried oregano, plus more to taste if desired
- Sea salt and pepper to taste
- Pinch of red pepper flakes
Directions:
- Melt butter or ghee in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion, garlic and fennel and sauté a few minutes. Then, add the ground beef and break up with a spatula. Season to taste with sea salt and pepper. Continue to cook until meat is browned, stirring occasionally.
- Once meat is done cooking, add the fire-roasted tomatoes, oregano, red pepper flakes; stir. Then, add the cabbage and season to taste with a bit more sea salt and pepper.
- Cover and continue to cook over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally.
- Once cabbage is softened, taste and adjust seasoning as desired.
- Serve with grated raw Parmesan or cheddar (preferably grass-fed), if tolerated and desired.
Yields: 4 servings
What a great idea to substitute cabbage in place of the macaroni and use fire roasted tomatoes. Looks like I need to make this!
Thanks, Mom! I bet you’ll enjoy it, especially since you liked that unstuffed cabbage recipe (the one you made when I was home in Sept). It’s similar to that in texture, but obviously has different flavor. Yes, use cabbage as a noodle sub works great!
Glad you had a fabulous time–and thanks for posting a great looking skillet recipe. I love those–easy to make AND clean up!!
Thanks, Paula! I bet you’ll enjoy this recipe, especially since you’re a lover of one-dish meals, like me 😉
I made this last night for dinner–the fennel is so good in it and we loved it. I just got my little veggie and herb garden planted, so I had some fresh basil to garnish with. Great recipe!!
Sounds great with the fresh basil! You really can’t go wrong with adding fresh herbs 🙂 Thanks, Paula!
Looks delicious! I’ll have to try this one out 🙂
Thanks, Naz! I hope you do try it!