GMT is the name I call the Classic American Goulash, which consists of Ground Meat, Macaroni, and Tomatoes. There are many versions of this simple and classic dish, and it is entirely up to you how you would like to customize the flavors. This version is the Tomato Soup GMT using homemade tomato soup.
If there was ever a place to experiment with a dish, this would be it. It is quick and simple and highly customizable. Add whatever Herbs & Spices or additional vegetables like Peppers, Carrots, or Celery.
For this dish, I always serve it up with Sliced Buttered Bread or Dinner Rolls. Sometimes with crumbled crackers over top.
Ground Meat
Typically, Ground Beef is used. However, Ground Pork, Ground Chicken, or Ground Lamb can all be used. Even sliced Meats or cubed or diced meats can be used.
Ground Beef
Anywhere from 1/2 lb — 1 lb (ca. 454 g) is good. Add Soy Sauce or Worcestershire sauce to the meat mixture for extra flavor.
Macaroni
Use Macaroni or other short Pastas like Cavatappi or Egg Noodle Pasta.
Depending on the amount of liquid and its thickness. You can cook the Pasta with the Meat & Sauce, or cook it separately and add it to the Meat & Sauce mixture at the end.
Macaroni
About 3 Cups of Short Pasta is good for this recipe.
Tomatoes
This is one of the first places you can start to experiment with. Use Tomato Soup, Tomato Juice, V8 Juice, Crushed Tomatoes, Diced Tomatoes, Whole canned Tomatoes with Italian Seasoning, or Fresh Whole Tomatoes Caramelized in the oven and then crushed. No matter which way you go, Tomatoes are what brings the Meat & Pasta together.
Homemade Tomato Soup
For this recipe, Homemade Tomato Soup is prepared and added to the Meat along with Dry Pasta.
Canned Tomato Soup
For quick & easy, use a can of Tomato Soup. Although with this addition instead of the Homemade Tomato Soup, it’s best to boil the Pasta separately.
Cooking the Pasta Separately
If the Sauce is thick or there is not enough liquid, then the Pasta doesn’t cook quite as well as it would if cooking it separately. It will give a denser starchier feel to the pasta, think Hamburger Helper style. In some cases, this is desired.
Cooking the Pasta separately and then adding it towards the end will always result in a cleaner, not as starchy and dense pasta.
Cooking the Pasta with the Meat & Sauce
It’s not to say that you can’t cook the pasta in the same pot as the meat and sauce. Just be mindful of how thick the sauce is and if there is adequate liquid. In some cases, cooking the pasta along with the sauce is desired. As it can help to thicken or soak up excess sauce. Often when doing this dish in one pot, cooking the pasta in the sauce, beef broth is added.
If you do cook the pasta with the meat and sauce, then bring the Meat & Sauce to a hard-boil, add in the pasta, mix well. Cover and remove from the heat and allow to rest for about 20 minutes. This should be an efficient time to cook the pasta through. However, it does depend on the thickness of the Sauce. Otherwise, just cook until the Pasta is to your liking.
GMT Vegetables
In most recipes, Diced Onions & Chopped Garlic are always added and quite frequently Diced Peppers.
Some recipes call for briefly sautéing the vegetables and then adding in the meat, and some the other way around. I prefer to cook the meat with added Soy Sauce or Worcestershire sauce in order to add flavor to the meat and create the Fond. This also gives enough time for the fat to be rendered out in preparation for the added vegetables. Which will be cooked only for a few minutes before the sauce is added and no need to drain the fat out. Keep it in, it’s good flavor.
GMT Vegetables
Usually Onion & Garlic are always included. Peppers are a very nice addition.
GMT Seasoning
Here is the other place where you can get creative and combine certain Herbs & Spices for that particular flavor you’re looking for. A combination of Herbs & Spices, or using just one as the dominant flavor. Such as Parsley, Oregano, Basil, Savory, Thyme, or just an Italian Seasoning, etc…
Salt & Pepper Blend
Use Salt & Pepper to season the dish. My go-to seasoning used in quite a few places is a mixture of Sea Salt, Black Pepper & White Pepper. Just mix it up in a small bowl and season to taste.
Salt & Pepper Blend Ingredients
- 1 Tbl Sea Salt
- 1 tsp Black Pepper
- 1/2 tsp White Pepper
Tomato Soup GMT
Cook ground meat with Worcestershire sauce. Add Diced Onions and chopped Garlic and Homemade Tomato Soup. Add Short Pasta.
In this version, you can get away with cooking the pasta with the sauce. As the Tomato Soup is not too thick and cooking the Pasta with the Sauce will also help to thicken it a bit and soak up that extra sauce. Of course, you can also cook the pasta separately too.
Serve it with Dinner Rolls or Mini Dinner Rolls, Buttered Bread, or Crackers on top.
GMT with Tomato Soup and Whole Tomatoes
This one is made with a can of Tomato Soup & a can of Whole Stewed Tomatoes with 1 lb (ca. 454 g) of Ground Beef and the Pasta boiled and strained separately. You can also make this with just the can of whole stewed Tomatoes with Herbs & Spices.
Equipment
- 1 Digital Scale
- 1 Skillet
Ingredients
- 1 lbs Ground meat - Beef or Pork
- 3 C Macaroni
- 1 portion Homemade Tomato Soup
- 1 med Onion
- 3 cloves Garlic
Salt & Pepper Seasoning
- 1 Tbl Sea Salt
- 1 tsp Black Pepper
- 1/2 tsp White Pepper
Instructions
- Prepare the Homemade Tomato Soup and have this on standby. Weigh out the Ground Beef and prepare the Salt & Pepper blend in a small bowl.
- In a large wok or skillet, Brown the Ground Meat over High Heat. Add in the Onions & Garlic and continue to cook for 1 minute while mixing. Pour in the Homemade Tomato Soup and bring to a boil.
- Add the Pasta and mix. Cover with a lid and remove from the heat to rest for 20 minutes. You can boil the Pasta separately as well and add it to the Meat & Sauce. Adjust seasoning with the Salt & Pepper blend and serve.