Recipe Overview
Why you’ll love it: A steaming pan of American goulash is comfort food: warm, filling, and tasty. You won’t need exotic ingredients; it’s economical and easy to make.
How long it takes: 45 minutes
Equipment you’ll need: a large pan or Dutch oven
Servings: 6
One-Pan Comfort Food
American goulash transports me to my childhood, it’s a recipe my mom would make a lot. It’s a classic recipe, not glamorous by any means, but it always works.
Ground beef, macaroni, tomatoes. It’s simple, familiar, and exactly what you want when you need something warm and filling.
What makes mine special:
- Pantry-friendly! You probably have almost everything you need to make this goulash already in your pantry. The ingredients are inexpensive, too.
- I made it a one pan meal. That means you don’t have to cook the pasta separately before you add it to the meat sauce. The pasta cooks right in the sauce. You’ll be amazed at how great the texture is. The starch from the pasta contributes an almost creamy feeling to the sauce.
More One Pan Meals!
If you’re looking for more delicious one pan meals with hamburger (or ground turkey if you prefer), try hamburger soup, homemade hamburger helper, chunky cheeseburger soup (one of our favorites), or homemade sloppy Joes. Popular Mexican spaghetti is a tasty mash up of two favorites: spaghetti and tacos.
“This American goulash recipe is fantastic! What a keeper recipe! My whole family loved it!”
Ingredient Notes
- Ground Beef (or Ground Turkey): Goulash is traditionally made with ground beef but if you aren’t a fan of beef, ground turkey is a good substitute. Quite honestly, I’ve made goulash with both and there’s only a slight difference in flavor.
- Onion, Green Bell Pepper, Garlic: An inexpensive yellow cooking onion is fine for a recipe like this. You’ll need 3 cloves of fresh garlic. Buy a head of garlic; break off 3 cloves from the head. Peel off the papery outer skin before mincing the garlic.
- Elbow Macaroni: Choose either regular macaroni or whole wheat. You’ll need 8 ounces, or 2 heaping cups.
- Canned Diced Tomatoes and Tomato Sauce: The tomato sauce gives the goulash a smooth texture and the diced tomatoes add small tomato chunks. Look for low-sodium or no-salt-added canned tomatoes to control sodium content.
- Beef Broth: Again, look for low-sodium broth. Broth is notoriously salty and you don’t really want all that extra salt in your diet if it isn’t necessary.
- Flavorings: Paprika is a classic ingredient of goulash. It’s mild and sweet. You’ll also add Worcestershire sauce for umami, Italian seasoning, and a bay leaf.
- Cheddar Cheese, Parsley (optional): Cheddar cheese goes perfectly with the tomato beef goulash, and fresh green parsley brightens the goulash with a piquant herbal flavor.
How to make Goulash
This best ever goulash is easy to make. You’ll need a big pan, your stove, and about 45 minutes. Let’s get started!
Do the prep work. Begin by prepping the onions, pepper, and garlic. Wash and finely dice the onions and pepper; mince the garlic. Assemble the other ingredients so they’re ready to go. Open the canned tomatoes, tomato sauce, and broth. Make sure you have all the seasoning ingredients: salt, pepper, paprika, Italian seasoning, bay leaf, and Worcestershire sauce.
Brown meat and onions. Heat the pan over medium heat. Add the ground meat, onions, and pepper. Season with salt and pepper.
Cook, chopping the meat into small chunks, until it’s completely cooked and the vegetables are fairly tender.
Add garlic and paprika. Cook, stirring constantly for a minute or so. The garlic smells really great, doesn’t it? The paprika will warm up a bit, releasing the aromatic oils and deepening in flavor.
Stir in tomatoes, tomato sauce, and broth. It may look like a lot of liquid but all that liquid is needed to cook the macaroni. Dry pasta absorbs a surprising amount of liquid.
Along with the liquids, stir in the Worcestershire sauce, Italian seasoning, and bay leaf.
Add the dry macaroni and give everything a good stir.
Simmer: Bring the goulash to a boil, then turn the heat down. Cover the pan and let it simmer, stirring occasionally to make sure it isn’t sticking to the bottom. If you notice that it seems to be sticking, lower the heat a bit more and add another splash of broth.
Let it rest. When the pasta is tender, turn the heat off, cover the pan, and let the goulash rest for a few minutes. The pasta will continue to absorb more liquid and the goulash will thicken nicely.
Serve: Scoop steaming hot goulash into shallow bowls or on plates. Garnish with shredded cheese and a sprinkle of fresh green parsley. So good! You’re going to love it!
Serving Suggestions
A fresh green house salad or fruit salad goes well with goulash. Try a classic arugula salad with a fresh lemony vinaigrette or a citrus salad. Crusty Dutch oven bread is always a good choice or hearty whole wheat corn bread. For dessert, serve homestyle vanilla pudding and a crispy coconut oatmeal cookie.
recipe Variations
- Use a different meat. Replace the ground beef with another type of ground meat such as turkey, chicken, pork, lamb, or sausage. Boneless skinless chicken cut into small pieces can be substituted as well.
- Make it vegetarian. Replace the beef with a can of white cannellini beans or kidney beans.
- Try different pastas. Instead of macaroni, substitute another type of short pasta. Try ditalini, penne, cavatappi, or farfalle. Choose whole wheat pasta, if you prefer. Feel free to use that partial box of pasta in your pantry
- Add more veggies. Goulash is pretty basic and you can easily add extra ingredients. Stir in baby spinach leaves; they wilt almost instantly. Add corn or peas. Mushrooms or an additional bell pepper are great, too.
Since goulash freezes really well, make a big batch and freeze half to use later. If you prefer, freeze it in individual-size containers for a quick lunch.
Refrigerate/Freeze: Scoop leftover goulash into a covered container; it will keep for three to four days. American goulash freezes well, too, for up to 3 months. Store it in a labeled freezer-safe container. Thaw frozen goulash overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Reheat: To reheat individual portions, microwave in 1-minute increments, stirring each time, until heated through. For larger amounts, reheat in a skillet or saucepan until hot.
Free Meal Plan
Interested in a weekly meal plan that includes this recipe? Take a look at my Meal Plan #23. You’ll find a wholesome recipe for each weekday plus a categorized grocery list. Let me do the planning for you this week!
Turn goulash into a delicious baked casserole. Spread the goulash evenly in a baking dish; top with shredded cheddar cheese. Bake uncovered at 350°F for 30 minutes or until warm and cheese is melted.
More Dinner Winners
American Goulash Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef or turkey
- 1 cup finely diced yellow onion (1 medium or half of a large onion)
- 1 cup finely diced green bell pepper (about 1 pepper)
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon coarse ground black pepper
- 3 cloves garlic, finely minced
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1 can (15 ounces) tomato sauce (no salt added)
- 2 cups low sodium beef or chicken stock (more if needed)
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 bay leaf
- 8 ounces uncooked elbow macaroni (2 heaping cups)
- shredded cheddar cheese, chopped parsley (optional toppings)
Instructions
- In Dutch oven or large skillet, over medium high heat, brown ground beef, onion, and green pepper, seasoning with salt and pepper. Break ground beef into smaller chunks as it browns. Cook until meat is no longer pink and vegetables are softened, about 10 minutes.1 pound lean ground beef or turkey, 1 cup finely diced yellow onion , 1 cup finely diced green bell pepper, ½ teaspoon kosher salt, ½ teaspoon coarse ground black pepper
- Add garlic and paprika, cooking and stirring for one minute, or until fragrant.3 cloves garlic, finely minced, 1 tablespoon paprika
- Add tomatoes, tomato sauce, beef stock, Worcestershire sauce, Italian seasoning, and bay leaf; stir to combine. Bring to a simmer over medium high heat. Stir in uncooked macaroni.1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained, 1 can (15 ounces) tomato sauce , 2 cups low sodium beef or chicken stock, 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, 1 bay leaf, 8 ounces uncooked elbow macaroni
- Reduce heat to low; cover and simmer 8 to 10 minutes or until pasta is tender, stirring occasionally. Add more broth, as needed.
- Remove from heat, leave covered for at least 3 minutes. Goulash will thicken as it cools.
- Remove bay leaf. Serve with shredded cheddar cheese and chopped parsley, if desired.
Notes
- Storage/Freezing: Refrigerate leftover goulash promptly. It will keep for three to four days. Goulash freezes well for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.
- Instant Pot instructions: Using the Sauté function, brown meat and vegetables; add garlic and paprika. Turn off pot. Add remaining ingredients, stirring well. Cover and set to pressure cook for 5 minutes (allow 10 minutes to come to pressure). Quick release. Let set, covered loosely, for 5 minutes or until goulash thickens slightly.
- Slow cooker instructions: See my recipe for Crockpot goulash.
- Goulash casserole: Prepare as instructed.Spread the goulash evenly in a baking dish; top with shredded cheddar cheese. Bake uncovered at 350°F for 30 minutes or until warm and cheese is melted.
- Nutrition note: Nutrition information below was calculated with lean ground beef (90/10) and low-sodium beef broth.
Video
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Did You Make This?Share a comment and rating below! I love hearing what you think!
can you use water instead of beef broth?
It will affect the flavor slightly, but it will definitely work.
This was delicious! I grew up on goulash and was hoping to find a recipe to replicate my mom’s. This is as close as it gets! My husband who loves goulash said it was the best he had ever tasted. So easy too.
Thank you!
Claudia
This comment brought a smile to my face! I’m so glad you and your husband like this recipe!
I loved it I used shells instead of elbows I also used the red wine vinegar and red pepper flakes that had been suggested thank you!
So glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for leaving a review!
Your recipient is my go to for goulash! It is perfect ! We love it every time. I use all low sodium products XOXO
That makes me so happy! Thank you for the review!
I have made this several times and really enjoy it. I do add red pepper flakes and like the spice. It is one of my husbands favorite
So glad to hear it! Thank you for leaving a review, it means a lot!
It’s closer to bolognese than goulash.
Ummm… I don’t agree. There are different types of goulash and this is American goulash, not Hungarian goulash. That’s an important differentiation and maybe you were expecting Hungarian?
I tried this tonight, following the recipe exactly except no cheese. Sadly, I found it flat in flavor and it had a gummy texture, maybe from the starch in the pasta. I need to brighten it up somehow. It needs some zing.
Try adding a tablespoon of red wine vinegar at the end and some red pepper flakes. :)
It was good, but very tomatoy tasting. I might try using tomato paste instead of either diced or sauce.
Not sure i like the Italian seasoning. I did add some garlic powder and onion powder in addition to garlic chopped.
Thanks for the review!
The sauce in this was delicious! I couldn’t stop tasting it when it was cooking. It turned out perfect!
I’m glad you liked it! Thank you for leaving a review!
We loved it! I made it in a crockpot, adding the pasta in the last 30 minutes of cooking. I made it extra American by using ground bison. This one’s a keeper!
So glad to hear it! Thank you for leaving a review!
This American Goulash recipe is fantastic! What a keeper recipe! My whole family loved it!
I liked your family story too!
Thank you so much! I’m glad it was a hit!