Quick & Easy American Goulash
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This classic American Goulash is a comforting, one-pot meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights. With ground beef, elbow macaroni, and a flavorful tomato-based sauce seasoned with garlic, paprika, and Italian herbs, it’s a dish that’s sure to please the whole family.
Comfort dishes always bring joy with every bite. Whether serving up a steaming bowl of Gluten Free Chicken Noodle Soup or dishing out Slow Cooker Chicken Stew, you also cannot go wrong with our Spicy Creamy Chicken Pasta that features a kick of crushed red pepper flakes.
This American goulash can now be added to the list of comfort meals when seeking a recipe that brings everyone to the table.
Why You’ll Love This Beef Goulash
- Adaptable! Goulash is loved for its affordability, easy and ability to feed a small family or large crowd. You can also customize the dish to your liking by swapping ingredients.
- Irresistible Flavor! The ingredients meld together to create a melt-in-your-mouth lunch or dinner meal. The sauce pairs perfectly with the pasta and beef each and every time.
- Easily Prepped in Advance! This dish can be prepped ahead for a weeknight dinner that only gets better as leftovers.
Ingredients for American Goulash
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 yellow onion diced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 cup beef broth
- 2 (14.5) ounce cans diced tomatoes
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 2 bay leaves
- 2 cups elbow macaroni
How To Make Goulash
STEP ONE: Cook the beef. Heat a Dutch oven on medium-high heat. Add the olive oil and then add the ground beef. Breaking it into smaller pieces with a wooden spoon or spatula, the beef will begin to cook. Let it sit for a minute or two without stirring for optimal browning. Then, stir and continue breaking until the meat is evenly browned and cooked through. If the beef releases a lot of grease, you can carefully drain the excess if desired. Allow approximately 10 minutes for the beef to cook.
Then, add the diced onion and cook for 5 minutes. Stir in the garlic and cook for an additional minute.
STEP TWO: Cook the pasta. Bring a pot of water to a boil. Cook the pasta per box instructions then drain.
STEP THREE: Combine the ingredients. Add the broth, diced tomatoes, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, paprika, and bay leaves. Bring to a boil then turn down and simmer. Add the cooked pasta and gently stir.
STEP FOUR: Serve. Serve hot
What Goes With Goulash?
- Roasted Vegetables: carrots, brussels sprouts, asparagus or bell peppers add a sweet, caramelized contrast when paired as a side.
- Salads: keep things simple with a mixed greens salad drizzled with a vinaigrette and toppings like tomatoes, cucumbers and shaved Parmesan.
- Crusty Bread: perfect for dipping and soaking up every last bit of sauce, crusty bread with or without garlic seasoning is delicious.
Substitutions & Variations
- Opt for ground turkey or chicken instead of ground beef to swap a leaner protein into the meal.
- Choose a low sodium beef broth to have control over seasoning the recipe to your liking.
- Add extra vegetables like bell peppers, zucchini, green beans, squash or mushrooms for a nutrient-dense twist. Sauté & mix into the goulash or serve as a side dish.
- Boost the heat by sprinkling in chili flakes, red pepper flakes or using 1/2 ground beef and 1/2 spicy sausage.
- Add a topping of cheese for an extra layer of richness.
- Stir in a dollop of sour cream or cream cheese right before serving to creamy version.
FAQs
Yes! Use a slow cooker for a hands-off version that allows the beef mixture to simmer during the day. Start by browning the ground beef for best results then add remaining ingredients except the noodles to the slow cooker. Cook on low for 3-4 hours or high for 1-2 hours. Prepare the noodles separately (reduce broth in slow cooker to 1/4 cup) or add uncooked pasta into crockpot 30 minutes before serving to prevent overcooking.
You will find that Hungarian goulash recipes are made with chunks of beef along with onions, potatoes and/or carrots. American goulash is a one-pot dish made with ground beef, macaroni, tomatoes and seasoning.
Elbow macaroni is traditional, but other small pasta shapes like rotini, penne, or shells work well too. Swap with a gluten free pasta to meet dietary needs or preferences.
Yes! Goulash often tastes better the next day as the flavors meld together. If making ahead, slightly undercook pasta and reheat with additional liquid to prevent it from becoming mushy. You can also cook the pasta separately then mix into the prepped beef mixture when ready to serve to avoid overcooking the noodles.
Can You Make Goulash Gluten-Free?
Yes! Use a gluten-free elbow macaroni to create a gluten-free beef goulash. While the other ingredients do not contain gluten, always check labels to verify individual products.
Storage & Reheating Instructions
In the fridge: Beef goulash can easily be stored and enjoyed as leftovers. Allow the recipe to cool to room temperature, then pour it into an airtight container. Properly stored, the meal will keep in the refrigerator for up to four days.
In the freezer: If you want to store the goulash for a longer period, you can freeze it. Ladle the cooled mixture into a freezer-safe container, leaving some space for expansion. Seal it tightly and freeze for up to three months. Thaw the frozen goulash in the refrigerator overnight before reheating. If planning to meal prep and freeze, I recommend adding the macaroni right before serving and only freezing the beef mixture to avoid mushy pasta.
Reheating: To reheat Goulash, warm it in a pot on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally until heated through. Alternatively, you can reheat individual portions in the microwave. If you find it has thickened too much, add a touch of broth or water to thin it out a bit.
American Goulash Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 yellow onion diced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 cup beef broth
- 2 (14.5) ounce cans diced tomatoes
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 2 bay leaves
- 2 cups elbow macaroni
Instructions
- Cook the beef. Heat a Dutch oven on medium-high heat. Add the olive oil and then add the ground beef. Cook, stirring occasionally, until browned. About 10 minutes. Add the diced onion, and cook for 5 minutes. Stir in the garlic and cook for an additional minute.1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 pound ground beef, 1 yellow onion, 3 cloves garlic
- Cook the pasta. Bring a pot of water to a boil. Cook the pasta per box instructions then drain.2 cups elbow macaroni
- Combine the ingredients. Add the broth, diced tomatoes, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, paprika, and bay leaves. Bring to a boil then turn down and simmer. Add the cooked pasta and gently stir.1 cup beef broth, 2 (14.5) ounce cans diced tomatoes, 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper, 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning, 1 tablespoon paprika, 2 bay leaves
- Serve. Serve hot.
Video
Notes
- Opt for ground turkey or chicken instead of ground beef to swap a leaner protein into the meal.
- Choose a low sodium beef broth to have control over seasoning the recipe to your liking.
- Add extra vegetables like bell peppers, zucchini, green beans, squash or mushrooms for a nutrient-dense twist. Sauté & mix into the goulash or serve as a side dish.
- Boost the heat by sprinkling in chili flakes, red pepper flakes or using 1/2 ground beef and 1/2 spicy sausage.
- Add a topping of cheese for an extra layer of richness.
- Stir in a dollop of sour cream or cream cheese right before serving to creamy version.
