Instant Pot Cheesy Goulash
Yield: 4 servings
Active Time: 10 minutes
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 8 minutes
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Take note of the directions for making this pasta in the Instant Pot. No more worrying about the pasta boiling over on the stove. And it cooks it just right! Also, if you’re using gluten-free pasta in the Instant Pot, it’s best to give the pasta a good rinse with cold water (to rid of excess starches) before pressure cooking. Enjoy!

Ingredients for Single Meal

  • 1 - lb(s) ground beef
  • 1 - Tbsp minced onion
  • 1 - tsp garlic powder
  • 1 - 15 oz. can(s) crushed tomatoes
  • 1 - cup(s) grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 - tsp Italian seasoning
  • 16 - oz. small shell pasta
  • 2 - cup(s) beef stock**
  • - Salt and pepper
  • Garnish: - shredded sharp cheddar cheese**
  • Side: - salad**
  • 1 - gallon-size freezer baggie(s)
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Cooking Directions for Single Meal

  1. Open and drain the can of crushed tomatoes.
  2. In the base of the Instant Pot insert, brown the ground beef with the minced onion and garlic powder. Turn off the Instant Pot. Drain, if needed, and return the browned ground beef to the pressure cooker insert.
  3. Mix in the crushed tomatoes, Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, and then add the small shell pasta and then the beef stock. Gently stir to get the pasta to be “underwater.” If it’s not all underwater, add some warm water 1/4 cup at a time until it’s all underwater.
  4. Steam valve: Sealing.
  5. Cook on: Manual/High for 7 minutes.
  6. Release: Natural or Quick.
  7. Once cooked, there might be some liquid floating on top. Just give it a stir and let it cool down and it will thicken up. Top each serving with shredded sharp cheddar cheese.
  8. Prepare the salad.
  9. Serve Instant Pot Cheesy Goulash with side salad.

Freezeasy Meal Prep Directions

  1. Brown 2 lbs. ground beef with 2 Tbsp minced onion and 2 tsp garlic powder. Drain and set aside to cool.
  2. Open and drain 2 cans of crushed tomatoes.

To each gallon-size plastic freezer baggie in a round bowl/dish, add the following ingredients:

  • Half of the browned ground beef
  • 1 - 15 oz. can crushed tomatoes
  • 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • Salt and pepper
  • Do not freeze the pasta or stock.

Remove as much air as possible and seal. Add label to baggie and freeze.

Freeze & Thaw Instructions

Put baggie in the freezer and freeze up to 6 months in fridge freezer or 12 months in a deep freezer. Thaw in the fridge overnight, or a warm bowl of water for about 20 minutes, before transferring to pressure cooker insert. Add the pasta and the water and pressure cook as directed.

Special notes

Note that preheat time and release time may vary by appliance. See myfreezeasy.com/EPC for more tips and tricks.

Dairy-Free Modifications

Omit cheese garnish for dairy-free meal.

Gluten-Free Modifications

Recipe is gluten-free when made with gluten-free pasta.

Printable Label Recipe Title

Instant Pot Cheesy Goulash

Printable Label Instructions

Thaw completely, add to Instant Pot with the pasta and beef stock. Cook on high pressure for 7 minutes with sealed valve; then natural release.
Serve with cheese garnish and salad.

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