Cowboy Campfire Goulash Grub

Relish the hearty flavors of the great outdoors with this Cowboy Campfire Goulash Grub—an easy, one-skillet meal that’s perfect for feeding your hungry crew at the campsite. This rustic goulash combines seasoned ground beef, tender elbow macaroni, and robust canned tomatoes simmered together with smoky paprika and chili powder for a flavor-packed dish. Cooked over an open flame in a cast iron skillet or Dutch oven, this recipe is as satisfying as it is simple, taking just 45 minutes from start to finish. Topped with gooey melted cheddar cheese, it’s a campfire comfort food your family will adore. Gather around the fire, serve it straight from the skillet, and enjoy a meal that captures the spirit of the cowboy lifestyle. Perfect for outdoor cooking and family-friendly camping adventures, this recipe is a must-try for your next trip!

Nutriscore Rating: 70/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 medium onion
• 1 medium bell pepper (any color)
• 3 cloves garlic cloves
• 14.5 ounces canned diced tomatoes
• 8 ounces tomato sauce
• 2 cups beef broth
• 1.5 cups elbow macaroni
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 tablespoon olive oil

Directions

Step 1

Heat a large cast iron skillet or Dutch oven over the campfire, ensuring it sits on stable coals or over a grill grate, and add 1 tablespoon of olive oil.

Step 2

Add the ground beef to the skillet and cook until browned, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, about 5-7 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary.

Step 3

While the beef cooks, dice the onion and bell pepper, and mince the garlic cloves.

Step 4

Once the beef is browned, add the onion and bell pepper to the skillet and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant.

Step 5

Pour in the canned diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and beef broth. Stir everything together well.

Step 6

Add the elbow macaroni, paprika, chili powder, salt, and black pepper. Stir again, making sure the pasta is submerged in the liquid.

Step 7

Cover the skillet with a lid or foil and let the mixture simmer over medium campfire heat for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. Cook until the pasta is tender and has absorbed most of the liquid.

Step 8

Once done, remove the skillet from the fire, sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese on top, and cover again for 2-3 minutes to allow the cheese to melt.

Step 9

Serve the goulash hot directly from the skillet, and enjoy your Cowboy Campfire Goulash Grub under the stars!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2139.9g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2581.7

Total Fat 151.4g	0%
Saturated Fat 62.5g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 4.9g
Cholesterol 450.4mg	0%
Sodium 6044.4mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 169.3g	0%
Dietary Fiber 21.6g	0%
Total Sugars 34.2g
Protein 140.9g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 1083.9mg	0%
Iron 18.1mg	0%
Potassium 2741.6mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 52.3%

Protein: 21.6%

Carbs: 26.0%