We had a nice little thunderstorm here this morning beginning with golf ball size hail around 2:30 a.m. so, for some reason I was up way earlier than I should have been.  I am not and have never been a morning person!!!  I did however know what would be for dinner tonight and since I was up so early I decided to put it in the crock pot to simmer away all day.  The original post on this recipe says it is even better if after cooking  to let cool,  and put in the fridge overnight but, if you must eat it the same night go for it.  My thought process on that was if it cooked all day on low you might get the same result.  I do look forward to having it for lunch tomorrow.  This one comes from www.gonnawantseconds.com .  The name on this blog just begs you to try the recipe's she has :)


                                                   American Goulash

2 pounds ground beef
1 large yellow onion
4 large cloves garlic, minced
3 c. water
2 (15 oz.) cans tomato sauce
2 (14.5 oz.) cans diced tomatoes
3 Tbls. soy sauce
2 Tbls. dried oregano
2 tsp. dried basil
2 bay leaves
1 Tbls. seasoned salt
1/2 tsp. black pepper
2 c. elbow macaroni, uncooked

In a large dutch oven, cook the meat over medium heat, breaking up the meat as it cooks into small pieces.  Cook until the meat is cooked through and no longer pink.  Stir in the onions and garlic.  Cook and stir until the onions are translucent.
Stir in water, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, soy sauce, oregano, basil, seasoned salt, bay leaves, and pepper.  Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat.  Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Stir in the pasta, cover and simmer over low heat until the pasta is tender, about 25 minutes, stirring occasionally.  Remove from heat, discard bay leaves, and refrigerate, if possible overnight.
If you must, you could serve!!!

My note:  The only thing that I did to put this in the crock pot was to cook the meat and onions together and throw it in the crock pot with everything except the noodles set it on low and forgot about it.  About 30 minutes before dinner I turned the crock pot to high and put the noodles in and let it go until the noodles were tender.  Probably about 20-30 minutes checking after 20 minutes.  Turn the crock pot off, fish out the bay leaves and serve.

Very tasty for the fist day serving like I said, can't wait to see what it taste like at lunch tomorrow.  I served it with garlic bread and I did add just a bit of sharp cheddar.  My Aunt, used to make something very similar to this and she always added cheese to it.  This is classic goulash.  Enjoy!!