Comfort in a Bowl, Van Style! 🍲🐄🔥

Let’s talk about one of my favorite go-to comfort foods: Goulash! It’s a warm hug in a bowl, surprisingly easy, and budget-friendly — perfect for busy weeks, cozy nights, or those times when leftovers are your best friend. And guess what? You don’t need much to make it happen!

We had some stew beef in the freezer and a craving for something hearty, smoky, and satisfying. So, I whipped up this delicious, easy beef goulash — and I’m here to tell you, it hits all the right notes.

Pro tip: This recipe is super versatile — serve it over rice, mashed potatoes, egg noodles, or even potato pancakes. Whichever way you choose, it’s pure comfort food magic!

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What you’ll need:

• 1.5 tbsp olive oil 🫒
• 1 onion, chopped 🧅
• 2 tbsp garlic, minced 🧄
• 1 red bell pepper, seeded and chopped 🌶️
• 1 pound stew beef 🐄
• 1.5 tbsp flour 🌾
• 2 tsp paprika 🌶️✨
• 1 (14.5 oz) can crushed tomatoes 🥫
• 1 can beef broth 🥣
• 1 bay leaf 🍃
• Salt & pepper to taste 🧂🧄
• Sour cream + chopped parsley for the finish (because — yum!)

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Let’s get cookin’!

1. Prep the beef: Toss the stew beef in a bowl with a pinch of salt and flour — this will help thicken the sauce and give that nice browned finish.
2. Cook the veggies: Heat your Dutch oven or large pot over medium-low. Sauté the onion and bell pepper for about 8 minutes until soft and fragrant. Add garlic and paprika, cook for 2 more minutes — your kitchen (or van) will smell AMAZING.
3. Brown the beef: Add the floured beef and let it brown for about 4-5 minutes, stirring now and then. It’s about to get flavorful!
4. Simmer down: Pour in crushed tomatoes, beef broth, add the bay leaf, and season with salt and pepper. Bring everything to a boil, then lower the heat, cover, and let it simmer for about 1.5 hours. The meat gets melt-in-your-mouth tender.
5. Finish & garnish: Remove the lid, simmer another hour, then taste and adjust seasoning. Serve hot over rice or your fave carb, and swirl in a dollop of sour cream with a sprinkle of chopped parsley.

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The best part?

This goulash gets better the next day — leftovers are gold. It’s perfect for a busy week when you need something warm, filling, and easy to reheat.

Enjoy this rustic, hearty dish — it’s a little bit of Hungary, a lot of love, and wholly perfect for van life or any cozy kitchen.

Happy eating! 👩‍🍳🚐❤️

#LeslieCooksInAVan #VanLifeCooking #ComfortFood #HeartyEats #StewLove #GoulashGoals