Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 pounds ground sirloin
• 4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 1 mild red or green frying pepper, chopped
• 3 tablespoons smoked sweet paprika
• Salt and pepper
• 1 to 2 cups veal or chicken stock, plus more if needed
• One 14-ounce can petite diced tomatoes
• 8 to 12 ounces macaroni
• Sour cream
• 1 cup blue cheese or smoked blue cheese, crumbled
• Chopped fresh herbs, such as parsley, dill and chives, for garnish

Instructions

1. Heat the olive oil in a Dutch oven or pot over medium-high heat, add the beef and cook to brown. Add the garlic, onions, peppers, paprika and some salt and pepper. Partially cover and cook to tender, 6 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the stock and tomatoes, and simmer to combine the flavors.
2. Cool the goulash and store for a make-ahead meal. Reheat over medium heat, adding a splash of stock or water if mixture is too thick.
3. To serve, bring a large pot of water to boil for the pasta while the sauce reheats. Salt the water and cook the macaroni to al dente. Reserve a little starchy cooking water before draining.
4. Stir a few spoons of sour cream into the goulash. Incorporate the macaroni into the goulash and add the starchy water as you go to keep the mixture from becoming too dry.
5. Top the goulash with blue cheese crumbles and herbs, and serve.