Description
This Ghostly Ghoul-ash recipe is a comforting and spooky twist on traditional goulash, perfect for Halloween or any fun family dinner. Ground beef, vegetables, and a tomato-based sauce simmer together and are served over hearty potatoes, topped with adorable sour cream ghosts and olive eyes for a festive touch.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1/2 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 onion, diced
- 1/2 green bell pepper, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 pound ground beef
- 1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1/2 teaspoon salt (plus more to taste)
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper (plus more to taste)
- Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1/2 cup frozen corn
- 2 tablespoons fresh basil, minced
For Serving
- 4 large potatoes (steamed and cubed or mashed)
- Sour cream (for ghosts)
- Sliced olives (for ghost eyes)
Instructions
- Cook the Vegetables: Heat olive oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the diced onion and cook, stirring occasionally, for about 3 minutes until softened.
- Add Bell Pepper: Add the diced green bell pepper to the pan and cook for another 3 minutes to soften the peppers.
- Sauté Garlic: Add minced garlic and sauté for 1 more minute, stirring constantly to prevent burning and to release the garlic aroma.
- Brown the Meat: Add the ground beef to the pan. Break it up with a spoon and cook until browned, about 5-8 minutes, ensuring no pink remains.
- Add Sauce and Simmer: Stir in the tomato sauce, tomato paste, salt, black pepper, red pepper flakes (if using), and frozen corn. Bring the mixture to a low boil, then reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally to meld the flavors.
- Add Fresh Basil: At the last minute of cooking, stir in the fresh minced basil for a burst of herbal freshness.
- Serve: Spoon the hot goulash over the prepared potatoes, whether baked, mashed, or steamed.
- Create Sour Cream Ghosts: Place about 1/3 to 1/2 cup of sour cream in a zip-top bag, push it into one corner, and snip off the tip. Pipe little ghost shapes (about 1 1/2 tablespoons each) onto each serving of goulash.
- Add Olive Eyes: Place two olive slices on each sour cream ghost to make creepy, cute eyes.
Notes
- For a vegetarian version, substitute ground beef with plant-based crumbles or cooked lentils.
- Adjust seasoning according to taste, especially salt and pepper.
- Red pepper flakes are optional; omit or reduce for less heat.
- Potatoes can be prepared according to your preference: baked, mashed, or steamed cubes.
- Sour cream ghosts can be made ahead and refrigerated briefly, but add olive eyes just before serving to maintain texture.
