American Goulash
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Posted: 11/27/24
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Easy, traditional American Goulash is a delicious, easy one-pot dinner recipe that the entire family will love. A mixture of elbow macaroni, ground beef, tomatoes, cheese and seasonings make this a family favorite recipe you will come back to again and again. It will be one of the most requested recipes.
American goulash is the dinner to make on those nights when only a comforting, hearty meal will do! It’s pretty much the ultimate comfort food – macaroni and ground beef simmered in a savory sauce and topped with melted cheddar cheese? Um, yes, sign me up!
Oh, and it’s a one-pot dinner! All of it – even the pasta – cooks in one pot for an easy dinner that will give you all the cozy feels. This Goulash is right up there with my one-pot taco pasta and chicken spaghetti dinners for family-requested dinners. My family loves it and I think yours will, too!
Why You’ll Love this American Goulash Recipe
- I love, love, love that this whole dish comes together in one pot. You don’t have to boil the pasta in one pot and make the rest of it in a separate pan. It’s a little thing but it makes a big difference – once less pot to deal with and fewer dishes to wash.
- You only need about 10 to 15 minutes to prep American goulash. Then let it sit and simmer until it’s all mixed together!
- This recipe only uses simple, basic ingredients yet it comes together to make the most flavorful dish. Old fashioned goulash is the perfect recipe for those times that you don’t know what to make for dinner!
What is American Goulash?
Hungarian goulash is very different from American goulash which is what I’m sharing. The European version is more of a stew made with meat and vegetables and seasoned with paprika. It’s often served over potatoes or noodles.
American goulash is made with ground beef and macaroni and a tomato-based sauce. Think hamburger helper or chili mac — it’s a bit similar! The recipe I’m sharing is very similar to what my mom used to make for us growing up in Minnesota – it’s just good hearty comfort food!
Ingredients for American Goulash
You guys know me – I love taking advantage of my pantry to make dinner. Even though this ingredient list looks long, most of the items are probably tucked away in your pantry right now!
- Ground beef – I typically use a 80/20 mixture, but you can go leaner, but it will not have as much flavor. Ground turkey or ground chicken would also work.
- Diced onion – Using dried onion saves me time, but you can substitute with fresh if you’d like.
- Minced garlic – I always have a jar of minced garlic in my refrigerator to save time.
- Salt and pepper – With all of these other flavorful ingredients, you really only need salt and pepper for seasoning!
- Canned diced petite tomatoes – Make sure you don’t drain the tomatoes. You can also substitute regular diced tomatoes, but my family prefers the petite diced!
- Worcestershire sauce – This will add loads of flavor to this easy goulash recipe.
- Low sodium beef broth – You do not have to use low-sodium. If you use regular you may want to skip the salt and season after cooking.
- Tomato soup – Grab a can of your favorite tomato soup to mix into this delicious homemade goulash recipe.
- Brown sugar – Mix some tasty brown sugar into this dish for more depth of flavor. It may sound weird to add this to a savory recipe, but it works!
- Bay leaves – Yes, bay leaves do have a purpose! They add so much flavor to this one pot American goulash.
- Elbow macaroni – Any noodles will work, but I recommend a small noodle for best results. Penne pasta and rigatoni would work. You can even use gluten free pasta for this recipe.
- Shredded cheddar cheese – Shred your own cheese to maximize the “gooey” melted cheese factor. I like to add extra cheese to this dish too. Parmesan cheese is great!
Helpful Tools
How to Make this American Goulash Recipe
Cook the beef, onions and garlic together in a large pot or dutch oven over medium-high heat. Be sure to break up the beef as it cooks and when it’s no longer pink go ahead and drain off the excess fat from the pan.
Add the salt, pepper, tomatoes, Worcestershire sauce, broth, soup, brown sugar and bay leaves. Give it all a good stir, then cover the pot with a lid and simmer the meat sauce for 20 minutes or so. All of those savory flavors will mix and mingle together creating a delicious sauce for your easy goulash recipe!
Once the sauce has simmered, add the macaroni pasta and give it a stir. Cover the pot again and cook the pasta for 15 to 20 minutes or until its tender.
As the pasta cooks it will release starch which will help thicken the sauce. It takes a little longer this way – if you boiled the pasta separately it would take less time – but it wouldn’t absorb all those delicious flavors from the sauce! Also, fewer pots to wash!
If you notice you need more liquid as it cooks, just add a bit of water to the pan.
When the pasta is tender go ahead and fish out those bay leaves and discard them. Sprinkle the cheese over the top and cover with the lid. Once the cheese has melted, this one-pot goulash is ready to serve.
How to Store Leftover Goulash
Store leftovers in the refrigerator in an airtight container. Make sure to cool completely before transferring to container. It can be kept in the fridge for 3-4 days.
You can freeze goulash too! Just make sure to competently cool then transfer to an air tight container. It will stay good in the freezer for up to three months. We ready to use remove from freezer and thaw in refrigerator overnight. You can warm it in the oven, on the stove top in a skillet or in a microwave.
How to Reheat Leftovers
To reheat leftovers place in microwave for 1 minute, stir and warm in 30 second increments until hot.
Can I make goulash ahead of time?
American goulash is a wonderful make-ahead dish. It’s perfect for meal prep, just transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate. When you are ready to enjoy remove from fridge and place in a preheated oven at 350 degrees F that is covered with foil until warm and bubbly, about 30 minutes.
What do you serve with American goulash?
It’s really a one-pot dinner so we often have it with nothing else! But, if you want a side dish you might like to add some roasted cauliflower or just a simple salad. If you’re really craving the carbs add some homemade breadsticks or dinner rolls!
One pot, pantry ingredients, and easy prep – you’re going to want this American goulash recipe in your dinner rotation! I hope you love it as much as we do.
Pro Tips for the Best American Goulash
- It is best to cook this recipe in a large, heavy duty soup pot. This helps with cooking evenly so you don’t have hot spots and cold spots. I love using an enamel coated cast iron Dutch Oven.
- Any cheese will work for this recipe. We prefer mild cheddar, but you could use sharp cheddar or any type of cheese!
- Feel free to add any seasonings or other ingredients that you think would go well in this dish. Italian seasoning, basil, oregano, and red pepper flakes would all be delicious in this dish.
More Easy Dinner Recipes!
Once you’ve tried this easy American goulash you have to give some of these recipes a try, too!
- Skillet Beef Pot Pie is a classic comfort food dinner recipe made easy! It’s filled with ground beef and vegetables in an easy homemade gravy and topped with biscuits.
- Green Beans, Chicken & Potatoes is a complete meal you can make in one pan – I think you’ll love it!
- If you have a pasta craving but you’re short on time, you need to make my Skillet Lasagna. It’s everything you love about lasagna but so much easier to make!
- These Cheeseburger Sliders are a wonderful kid-friendly recipe that everyone will enjoy!
More Great Recipes
- Cream Peas Recipe with Milk
- Pickle and Ham Roll Ups
- What is in Amaretto Sour?
- Easy Ham Dinner
- Overnight Breakfast Recipe
- Gooey Caramel Rolls Recipe
Did you make this? If you snap a photo, please be sure tag me on Instagram at @julieseatsandtreats or #julieseatsandtreats so I can see your yummy treat!
One Pot American Goulash
Easy one-pot recipe that is a quick and easy dinner recipe. A delicious combination of macaroni noodles, ground beef, tomatoes, cheese and more!
Video
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 yellow onion diced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 14.5 ounces can petite diced tomatoes do not drain
- 1 ½ Tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 14.5 ounces can low sodium beef broth
- 10.75 ounces can tomato soup
- 1 teaspoon brown sugar
- 2 cups elbow macaroni
- 2 bay leaves
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese.
Instructions
- In a large pot or dutch oven cook ground beef, onion and garlic over medium heat until no pink remains. Drain off excess fat.
- Add in salt, pepper, diced tomatoes, Worcestershire sauce, beef broth, tomato soup, brown sugar and bay leaves. Simmer for about 20 minutes, with cover on.
- Add elbow macaroni and simmer covered for 15-20 minutes or until pasta is tender.
- Remove and discard bay leaves. Top with shredded cheese and replace lid, let sit 5 minutes or until cheese is melted.
Tips
- Busy night? Make this ahead of time. When you are ready to enjoy remove from refrigerator and place in a preheated oven at 350 degrees F that is covered with foil until warm and bubbly, about 30 minutes.
- Store leftovers in the refrigerator in an airtight container. Make sure to cool completely before transferring to container. It can be kept in the fridge for 3-4 days.
- To reheat leftovers place in microwave for 1 minute, stir and warm in 30 second increments until hot.
- You can freeze Goulash just make sure to competently cool then transfer to an air tight container. It will stay good in the freezer for up to three months. We ready to use remove from freezer and thaw in refrigerator overnight. You can warm it in the oven, on the stove top in a skillet or in a microwave.
- The best pot to cook this in is a large, heavy duty soup pot. This helps with cooking evenly so you don’t have hot spots and cold spots. I love using an enamel coated cast iron Dutch Oven.
- Any cheese will work for this recipe. We prefer mild cheddar, but you could use sharp cheddar or any type of cheese!
Nutrition Information
Calories: 450kcal (23%), Carbohydrates: 55g (18%), Protein: 24g (48%), Fat: 15g (23%), Saturated Fat: 7g (44%), Cholesterol: 54mg (18%), Sodium: 622mg (27%), Potassium: 777mg (22%), Fiber: 3g (13%), Sugar: 7g (8%), Vitamin A: 358IU (7%), Vitamin C: 11mg (13%), Calcium: 157mg (16%), Iron: 3mg (17%)
Berit Ebel says
Easily made and absolutely delicious
Julie Evink says
I’m so happy to hear you enjoyed Berit!
Wendy Pippin says
I love this recipe. I do change it up a bit. I use ground chicken or turkey. I use chicken broth if I do not have beef and I use canned carrots(in a blender) instead of brown sugar and tomato sauce instead of tomato soup. I also add fresh tomatoes if I have them. Thank you for your website.