Description
Hearty Hungarian “vegetarian goulash” brings robust flavor and comforting warmth to your dinner table. Rich paprika-spiced vegetables simmer slowly, delivering deep Mediterranean-inspired goodness you’ll savor with each satisfying spoonful.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 16 ounces (454 grams) tempeh
Vegetables:
- 1 small onion
- 1 red bell pepper
- 4 cloves garlic
- 1 bay leaf
Seasonings and Liquids:
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 x 15 ounces (425 grams) can tomato sauce
- 1 x 14.5 ounces (411 grams) can petite diced tomatoes
- 2 1/2 cups vegetable broth
Pasta:
- 2 cups elbow macaroni
Optional Toppings:
- Parmesan
- Fresh basil
Instructions
- Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and sauté tempeh, onions, and bell peppers until golden brown and slightly caramelized, approximately 5-6 minutes.
- Introduce minced garlic and spice blend, stirring continuously to prevent burning and allow aromatics to release their flavors, about 45-60 seconds.
- Pour in diced tomatoes, vegetable broth, and carefully nestle bay leaf into the mixture, reducing heat to low and allowing ingredients to gently simmer and meld together for 10-12 minutes.
- Gradually incorporate macaroni, ensuring pasta is partially submerged in liquid, then cover skillet with a slightly askew lid to allow steam escape, continuing to simmer for 9-11 minutes until pasta reaches al dente texture.
- Extract bay leaf, taste the goulash, and fine-tune seasoning with additional salt or pepper as needed, then transfer to serving dishes and garnish with optional fresh herbs or vegan cheese crumbles for enhanced flavor profile.
Notes
- Swap tempeh for other plant-based proteins like seitan or firm tofu for variety in texture and flavor.
- Use gluten-free macaroni to make this dish celiac-friendly and accommodate different dietary needs.
- Toast seasonings briefly before adding liquids to intensify their aromatic profile and deepen the goulash’s overall taste complexity.
- Experiment with smoked paprika instead of regular paprika to introduce a subtle smoky undertone that complements the vegetarian base.
- Prep Time: 0 minutes
- Cook Time: 26 mins
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Hungarian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 383 kcal
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 830 mg
- Fat: 13 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 48 g
- Fiber: 9 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg