American Goulash
This American Goulash is major comfort food! It’s made with just several simple ingredients all in one single pot. Dump all of the ingredients in at once and let it cook! This is the perfect family meal for a busy night.
A piping hot pot of American Goulash is major comfort food: warm, filling, and tasty. You won’t need any fancy ingredients; it’s just simple good food.
Why you should make this recipe
- Easy to make. Dinner made all in one pan is always a winner! You only need 10 minutes of hands-on time and dinner can be on the table in just 40 minute.
- Delicious. This pasta recipe is bursting with flavor and has that old-fashioned, nostalgic taste we love.
- Crowd-pleasing. Everyone loves a cozy, meaty pasta dish! Even your picky will kids will be glad to see that only minimal, simple ingredients are used. They will gobble this right up!
- Satisfying. This meal has plenty of staying power. Between the protein in the beef and the carbs in the pasta, you will be plenty full after dinner.
Ingredients needed
This American goulash recipe uses a few simple inexpensive ingredients, it’s a great way to feed a family or guests. Here’s everything you’ll need:
- Ground beef. Traditionally, goulash is made with ground beef but if you aren’t a fan of beef, ground turkey is a good substitute. You could also lower the calories and fat a bit by using lean ground beef.
- Onion & garlic. Sautéing onion and garlic with the meat makes it super tasty.
- Tomatoes. Diced tomatoes along with tomato sauce and water join together to form the sauce.
- Flavorings. A mix of Worcestershire sauce, Italian seasoning, and seasoning salt are all that’s needed for bold, savory flavor. Some recipes also add in bay leaves and/or oregano, but I don’t think either are needed.
- Pasta. Elbow Macaroni is the most commonly used noodles in goulash recipes. However, any short pasta works great, like small shells, bowties, or ditalini. Use gluten-free pasta to make this dish gluten free.
How to make this recipe
This easy goulash recipe is SO easy to make and the only chopping is for the onion and garlic. You’ll need a nice big pan, your stove, and about 40 minutes. Here’s the simple process:
- Brown the meat. In a Dutch oven or large saucepan, cook ground beef over medium-high heat until no longer pink. Drain grease. Add onion and garlic and cook for 3 minutes, or until soft and fragrant.
- Combine all ingredients. Add diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, water, Worcestershire sauce, Italian seasoning, seasoned salt and elbow macaroni to the pan. Mix well and bring to a boil. Reduce to medium-low heat, cover pan and simmer for 25-30 minutes or until pasta is cooked through.
- Enjoy. Remove from heat and serve immediately. Garnish with fresh herbs, like parsley or basil, if desired.
Expert tips
- Have lots of mouths to feed? This recipe makes 8 large bowlfuls, and it can even be stretched to feed a bigger crowd by adding extra pasta and sauce.
- Make ahead. Since this freezes so well, make a double batch and freeze half to enjoy later. You could also freeze it in individual-size containers for a quick lunch.
- Consistency. Once this dish has simmered for at 30 minutes it should be plenty thick, but if it’s watery or runny, just let it continue to simmer for a while longer and stir.
Frequently asked questions
Hungarian goulash (gulyás)originated in Hungary and was a popular dish among herdsmen (the word “goulash” actually means herdsmen). It is a slow-cooked stew or soup consisting of stew meat (or another cut of beef), vegetables, potatoes and a generous amount of paprika. There are many variations but it doesn’t usually include pasta. This is a very popular Hungarian goulash recipe that looks delicious!
American goulash is really quite different from the Hungarian version. It is a one pot dish made with ground beef, macaroni, tomatoes, and seasonings. In some areas of the U.S., it’s called American chop suey.
This is quite satisfying on its own, but it also goes great paired with my favorite Italian salad or a simple kale salad and crusty garlic bread! A fresh green salad is another good option. Simply, toss mixed greens with lemon juice, olive oil, salt and pepper. Feel free to add toppings to your salad such as red onion, cherry tomatoes, and croutons.
Yes, these are classics and pretty much is the same! American goulash is essentially the same thing as Beefaroni. You can often find the names used interchangeably, depending on where in the United States you are located. It’s also very similar to hamburger helper, but way better!
Variations
- Add veggies. For added nutrients and flavor, cook shredded carrots or red bell peppers along with the meat, onion and garlic.
- Beans. If you’re a fan of beans, kidney beans would be a good addition.
- Love spicy food? Garnish with a sprinkle of chili flakes or mix in cayenne pepper with the other seasonings. And feel free to add other spices you like.
- Make it cheesy. Everything is better with cheese! You can top the finished dish with cheddar cheese, which tastes so good with the tomato beef pasta.
Storage & reheating recommendations
- Storing leftovers. Refrigerate cooled leftovers in a covered or airtight container; it will keep for 3 to 4 days. The noodles may have absorbed some of the liquid, leaving it dried out. Feel free to add a bit of water, beef broth or chicken broth before heating.
- Freezing. To freeze, store it in a labeled freezer-safe container. When you’re ready to enjoy, thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
- Reheating. 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. It may be necessary to add a bit of water or broth to loosen up the pasta and revitalize the sauce.
If you try this recipe, let me know! Leave a comment and if your family loves it as much as mine does, be sure to give it a five star ⭐️ rating! Also, tag @kimscravings on Instagram with a picture of your creation. Be sure to subscribe to our mailing list to receive more delicious recipes straight to your inbox.
American Goulash
Ingredients
- 2 lbs ground beef, Lean ground beef or ground turkey work too.
- 1 yellow onion, chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 (15 ounce) cans diced tomatoes, undrained
- 2 (15 ounce) cans tomato sauce
- 3 cups water
- 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
- 2 tsp seasoned salt
- 1 (16 ounce) box elbow macaroni, Any short pasta works fine. Use gluten-free pasta to make this recipe gluten free.
Instructions
- In a Dutch oven or large saucepan, cook ground beef over medium heat until no longer pink. Drain grease. Add onion and garlic and cook for 3 minutes, or until soft and fragrant.
- Add diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, water, Worcestershire sauce, Italian seasoning, seasoned salt and elbow macaroni to the pan. Mix well and bring to a boil. Reduce to medium-low heat, cover pan and simmer for 25-30 minutes or until pasta is cooked through.
- Remove from heat and serve immediately.
Notes
- Storing leftovers. Refrigerate cooled leftovers in a covered or airtight container; it will keep for 3 to 4 days. The noodles may have absorbed some of the liquid, leaving it dried out. Feel free to add a bit of water or chicken broth before heating.
- Freezing. To freeze, store it in a labeled freezer-safe container. When you’re ready to enjoy, thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
- Reheating. 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. It may be necessary to add a bit of water or broth to loosen up the pasta and revitalize the sauce.
Did you make this recipe?
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Thank you for this trip down memory lane back to my mom’s kitchen. This is a vintage recipe for me as I was a kid in the ’50s & ’60s! She also called it Goulash and it was on our menu rotation, a family favorite. One ingredient from hers is missing here which puts it over the top, bacon! She started with frying just a slice or two, then proceeded just like your recipe. ❤️
Oh bacon sounds amazing! I definitely need to try it that way!
sounds good, but was looking for a crockpot deal. that way can make it before work then be ready when I got home.