Heat the olive oil in a pot with a lid over medium heat.1 Add the onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and translucent, for about 5-7 minutes.
Add the minced garlic and stir into the onions. Cook for about a minute, until the garlic becomes fragrant.
Add the ground beef and stir into the onions and garlic. Cook for about 5-6 minutes, or until the meat is no longer pink. Drain the fat from the meat.
Add the Kosher salt, freshly ground black pepper, and tomato paste. Stir them into the meat mixture.
Add the petit diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, low-sodium beef broth, Italian seasoning, and paprika. Stir them into the meat mixture.
Add the dry elbow macaroni and stir it into the mixture so everything is well combined. Bring to a simmer, place the lid on the pot, reduce the heat to medium-low, and cook for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is tender.
Once the pasta is done, add 4 ounces of extra sharp cheddar cheese and stir into the goulash until all the cheese has melted.
Remove the pot from the heat, top with some additional extra sharp cheddar cheese, and place the lid on the pot for a few minutes, until the cheese melts.
Yield 6 servings