Why You’ll Love this Spicy Family Goulash
If you’re a fan of comfort food that packs a serious punch, this Spicy Family Goulash recipe will quickly become your new favorite weeknight dinner. What makes it so special? You can customize the heat level from mild to super hot, depending on your family’s spice tolerance.
I love how this dish combines hearty ground turkey with the perfect blend of everyday and specialty spices. The combination of Mexican chili powder, cayenne, and habanero sauce creates layers of heat that build with each bite. Plus, the tender elbow macaroni soaks up all those amazing flavors.
My favorite part? It’s a complete meal in one pot—protein, veggies, and pasta all simmering together in tomatoey goodness.
What Ingredients are in Spicy Family Goulash?
This spicy family goulash recipe combines hearty ground turkey with a tomato base and a kick of heat from various spices. What makes this dish special is the layering of different heat levels—from mild chili powder to fiery habanero sauce—letting you customize just how spicy you want your dinner to be. The combination of pasta, protein, and vegetables makes this a complete one-pot meal that’s perfect for weeknight dinners.
- 1 pound ground turkey
- 1 (10¾ ounce) can tomato soup
- 1 (14½ ounce) can diced tomatoes
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- ½ teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- 2 teaspoons parsley flakes
- ½ white onion, diced
- ¼ green bell pepper, diced
- ¼ red bell pepper, diced
- 1½ cups elbow macaroni
- ⅛ teaspoon Mexican chili powder (hot)
- ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon Cajun spice rub
- 3½ ounces hot habanero BBQ sauce
When shopping for these ingredients, you can certainly make substitutions based on what you have available. Ground beef works just as well as turkey, and you can adjust the heat level by adding or reducing the amount of hot spices. For a milder version, simply omit the Mexican chili powder, cayenne, red pepper flakes, and habanero sauce. The colorful bell peppers add both flavor and visual appeal, but you could use all of one color if that’s what you have on hand.
How to Make this Spicy Family Goulash
To make this mouthwatering Spicy Family Goulash, start by browning 1 pound of ground turkey in a large skillet, then drain and set it aside. In the same pan, add a 14½ ounce can of diced tomatoes, a 10¾ ounce can of tomato soup, ½ of a diced white onion, ¼ of a diced green bell pepper, and ¼ of a diced red bell pepper. Season this colorful mixture with ½ teaspoon sea salt, ½ teaspoon fresh ground black pepper, ¼ teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon chili powder, ½ teaspoon paprika, and 2 teaspoons of parsley flakes. Let all these flavors mingle and heat for about 5 minutes, creating that rich base for your goulash.
While your sauce simmers away, multitask by boiling 1½ cups of elbow macaroni (or whatever pasta shape makes your heart sing) until tender. The real magic happens when you drain that pasta and combine it with your tomato-meat mixture.
For those who want to kick up the heat—and trust me, this is where things get interesting—add that 1/8 teaspoon of Mexican chili powder, 1/8 teaspoon of cayenne pepper, ¼ teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes, 1 teaspoon of Cajun Foreplay Spice Rub, and 3½ ounces of Wango Tango Hot Habanero BBQ Sauce. These spicy additions transform an everyday goulash into a fiery feast that’ll wake up even the most tired taste buds. You can always adjust the spice level according to your family’s heat tolerance—maybe keep it mild for the kiddos and super hot for the brave souls at your table. For an easier cooking experience, consider using an Electric Sandwich Griddle Deluxe to maintain consistent heat throughout the preparation process.
Spicy Family Goulash Substitutions and Variations
Several creative substitutions can transform this Spicy Family Goulash recipe while maintaining its comforting essence. I recommend swapping ground turkey for beef, chicken, or even lentils if you’re going vegetarian. Not a fan of elbow macaroni? Penne, rotini, or even rice work beautifully here.
For the heat level, you can customize to your family’s preferences. Can’t find Wango Tango sauce? Any habanero hot sauce will do the trick, or use sriracha for a different spicy profile. The Cajun spice rub can be replaced with your favorite seasoning blend.
Don’t have bell peppers? Try poblanos for a smokier flavor, or add mushrooms for an earthier taste. The beauty of goulash is its flexibility—it welcomes whatever ingredients you have in your pantry right now.
What to Serve with Spicy Family Goulash
While your spicy family goulash simmers to perfection, you’ll want to ponder what companions will best complement its bold, fiery flavors. I always reach for cooling counterpoints – a crisp garden salad with cucumber and a tangy vinaigrette works wonders to balance the heat. Crusty garlic bread? Absolutely necessary for sopping up that rich sauce.
For beverages, milk is the traditional fire-quencher, but a tall glass of sweetened iced tea works its own magic. When serving the super hot version, don’t forget some cooling sides – perhaps a dollop of sour cream or a simple cucumber-yogurt salad.
And veggies? Steamed broccoli or roasted carrots provide a welcome textural contrast. Think of these sides as your goulash’s supporting cast, never competing with, always enhancing the star of your dinner table.
Final Thoughts
Why do some dishes simply capture our hearts and become instant family traditions? I think it’s the perfect combination of comfort, customization, and connection. This spicy goulash recipe embodies exactly that – a versatile meal that can be mild enough for the kids or fiery hot for the spice enthusiasts among us.
What I love most about this recipe is how it grows with your family. Start with the mild version for picky eaters, then gradually work your way up to the super hot variation. The beauty lies in its adaptability, from casual weeknight dinners to weekend gatherings. Plus, those leftovers? Even better the next day, with all those complex flavors melding together overnight. That’s the mark of a truly special dish.