With this easy American style Beef Goulash Recipe, you’ll be rewarded with a mind-boggling flavor frenzy… bite after delightful bite! Packed with protein, smothered in sauce, and seasoned to perfection, your macaroni noodles never tasted so good! It’s like a warm hug on a chilly night… and with just one pot, cleanup is a breeze!
Do you smell that marvelous aroma?
If not you will soon, because the aroma from this beef goulash simmering in your kitchen is absolutely heavenly!
Carolyn writes: “Excellent! I’ve made this a few times & it’s a hit every time.”
Trust me, this is one magnificent feast. Everyone I share it with loves it… and my teenage boys literally inhale it!
I find the hardest part is actually eating it slowly. It takes every ounce of restraint imaginable to slow down. It really is that crazy good!
The secret to this beef goulash recipe is the fabulous blend of seasonings and sauce. These effortlessly work together to upgrade your hearty beefy, tomato pasta dish into one outrageously tasty entree!
Plus, this easy recipe for goulash is the perfect no-fuss dinner.
To start, there’s just one pot to clean up when it’s all said and done. Even better, with this recipe you can choose which pot you want to use. Will it be your Dutch Oven, Crock Pot or Instant Pot? The choice is yours!
There’s also hardly any prep. In fact, most of the ingredients can just be dumped or poured right in.
Plus, if you’re lucky enough to have any leftovers, you’ll have the most scrumptious meals imaginable later in the week!
Believe me, flavor packed Family One Pot Meals like this are the perfect way to feed a hangry crowd! My hearty One Pot Taco Spaghetti, super Easy Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe, and decadent Easy Fettuccine Alfredo Recipe all prove that point deliciously.
So are you ready to make your own one pot goulash masterpiece?
Here’s what you’ll need to get started…
Ingredients
You’ll need just a few simple ingredients to make the BEST American-style beef goulash recipe ever!
First check your refrigerator and pantry, then add the following to your next grocery list to make sure you’ve got everything on hand.
- Elbow Macaroni – no need to cook them, as you’ can’ll just add your uncooked noodles to the pot near the end, and they’ll cook right in your delicious sauce!
- Ground Beef
- Onion – I like to use a Yellow onion for a rich, sweet flavor.
- Garlic – use freshly minced for the BEST flavor!
- Bell Pepper – I prefer Green for a delicious balance of flavor.
- Tomato Sauce – you’ll want the kind that comes in a can, as opposed to jar sauce.
- Diced Tomatoes – these will add that fresh tomato flavor to your sauce!
- Chicken Broth – this infuses SO much flavor, and will help cook your pasta right in the pot.
- Worcestershire Sauce – adds a deep and savory flavor.
- Ketchup
- Italian Seasoning – the classic seasoning blend used in American-style beef goulash.
- Cumin
- Chili Powder
- Salt & Pepper
- Garlic Salt
- Cooking Oil
- Optional Toppings (see below)
You’ll also need a 5 – 6 quart Dutch Oven to prepare this easy beef goulash recipe. (I’ve also included instructions below for how you can prepare this easy recipe for goulash in a Crock Pot or an Instant Pot.)
Goulash Toppings
To take this beef goulash recipe to the next level, don’t forget the toppings!
Here are some of my favorites… and the more the merrier, is what I say!
- Sliced Green Onions – they add a touch of pretty green color, and delicious texture!
- Shredded Cheddar Cheese – Sharp Cheddar adds the BEST flavor, but you could also use Medium Cheddar in a pinch.
- Sour Cream – it adds a burst of cool, and delicious creamy, tangy flavor!
I’m telling you… this is about to become your new favorite easy recipe for goulash!
How To Make Beef Goulash
You are going to love how EASY it is to prepare this flavor-packed beef goulash recipe!
Here’s what you’ll do…
1. Brown your beef and then drain any excess juices.
2. Sauté your onion, garlic and green pepper.
3. Then add your remaining ingredients, excluding the elbow macaroni, and combine thoroughly.
4. Cook as directed.
5. Then, add the elbow macaroni to your dutch oven.
6. Continue cooking as directed, until done.
7. Once done, serve it up and ENJOY a magnificent feast. A feast that is SO easy and SO flavorful!
Scroll down for the printable beef goulash recipe card with detailed, step-by-step instructions.
Beef Goulash Recipe Variations
You can even make this delicious easy beef goulash recipe in your slow cooker or pressure cooker! Here’s what you’ll do…
Slow Cooker Beef Goulash
- For this Crock Pot goulash recipe, you’ll start by cutting all ingredients in half.
- Then add oil, onions, garlic, and bell pepper to large skillet and sauté over medium-high heat for about 7 minutes, or until onions turn clear.
- Add ground beef to skillet and cook for 7 more minutes, or until browned.
- Drain grease from skillet and transfer mixture to 5 quart (or larger) crockpot.
- Add tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, chicken broth, Worcestershire sauce, Italian seasoning, cumin, chili powder, salt, and pepper… then stir until well combined.
- Add UNCOOKED macaroni to crockpot, stir well then cover crockpot.
- Cook on LOW for 1.25 – 1.5 hours, or until pasta is done. (stir once halfway through cooking time)
- Once done, stir again, dish up, add toppings and ENJOY!
Instant Pot Instructions
- Cut ingredients in half except still use full can of Chicken Broth.
- Mix seasonings together and set aside.
- Turn Instant Pot to ‘Sauté’ setting. Once hot, add onion, garlic, bell pepper, and ground beef, and stir well while sautéing. (about 7 minutes)
- After meat has browned, add seasoning mixture and Worcestershire Sauce and stir well. Saute for 2 more minutes.
- Then cancel Sauté setting, add chicken broth and noodles, and give it a good stir.
- In middle of pot, create a mound of ketchup, tomato sauce, and diced tomatoes (including juice from can). You want to avoid these tomato ingredients from touch the sides if possible to avoid burning, so don’t stir after mounding them up in the middle.
- Place lid on Instant Pot, select ‘Pressure Cook’ setting, High pressure, and change your cook time to 4 minutes.
- Preheating will start a few seconds after settings are selected, and your Pressure Cooker will take about 15 minutes to come to pressure before cooking begins.
- Once cooking is done, do a quick release (I usually do a ‘gradual’ quick release to avoid any mess… I do this with a few gradual nudges to release the steam quickly, but in short spurts).
- Stir well, dish up, add toppings and ENJOY!
Storage Tips
Store covered in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. I like to set half aside for leftovers, and then heat it up the next day in the microwave using individual bowls.
One of my favorite Easy Meal Prep Ddeas is to make this easy beef goulash recipe last for at least two days. I prepare it one day, then save half to serve for dinner the next day. This allows me to get two full dinners by making this recipe just one time!
For the leftovers, I simply use the microwave to reheat using individual bowls. Believe me… this easy recipe for goulash tastes just as good the second day!
What to Serve With Beef Goulash
To start with, I recommend topping this beef goulash recipe with sour cream, shredded sharp cheddar cheese and some chopped green onions.
Then… I’ve got some out of this world amazing Homemade Bread Recipes that will pair so wonderfully with this tasty easy goulash recipe.
To start, I know you’ll love this Crusty Bread Recipe and this heavenly Rosemary Bread Recipe for Dutch Oven, too. You can make them even better by dunking them into this flavor packed Balsamic and Olive Oil for Dipping Bread or slathering them with this homemade Garlic Butter!
Heart warming goulash and yummy bread… Yes Please!
Reviews
Here’s what your frugal friends are saying about this easy beef goulash recipe…
One reader writes: “Delicious way to feed a crowd!”
Bobbi writes: “Great weeknight meal that the whole family adores.”
Amanda writes: “Yummy! One of our favorites”
Laine writes: “Yummo! Kids loved this! Will definitely make again!”
Carolyn writes: “Excellent! I’ve made this a few times, and it’s a hit every time.”
Debi writes: “A classic that my family loves!”
Kim writes: “So good! Definitely a family favorite”
Maria writes: “One of our favorites! Leftovers are great, too… if there ever are any.”
Connie writes: “I made half of the recipe since it’s just my husband and me. It was very good and will make it again.”
Donna writes: “Delicious! I halved the recipe and I still have leftovers.”
Family Style Meals
Did You Enjoy This Beef Goulash Recipe? ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Leave a comment & review below!
Beef Goulash Recipe
Doubling Recipe Tip
If doubling or tripling recipe with buttons below, ingredient notes found after comma will not adjust. Increase ingredients as needed.
Ingredients
- 2 pounds Ground Beef
- 16 oz. Elbow Macaroni, (uncooked)
- 4 cups diced Yellow Onion (about 2 medium onions)
- 8 cloves minced Garlic (or 4 tsp Minced Garlic from jar)
- 1 Green Bell Pepper, diced
- 4 Tbsp Ketchup
- 30 oz. Tomato Sauce, (2 cans 15 oz. each)
- 29 oz. Diced Tomatoes, (2 cans 14.5 oz. cans)
- 14.5 oz. Chicken Broth , (1 can)
- 4 Tbsp Worcestershire Sauce
- 2 Tbsp Italian Seasoning
- 1 tsp. Cumin
- 2 tsp. Chili Powder
- 2 tsp. Salt
- 1 tsp. Black Pepper
- 3 Tbsp Avocado, Vegetable or Canola Oil
- 1 cup shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese , (optional)
Instructions
- Gather your beef goulash recipe ingredients.
- Preheat 5-6 quart Dutch Oven on stove at Medium-High heat.
- In small bowl, mix together Italian Seasoning, Cumin, Chili Powder, Salt, and Black Pepper, and set dry seasoning mix aside.
- After dutch oven has warmed up, add Ground Beef and brown meat. (about 10 min.)
- Remove beef from dutch oven and drain grease.
- Add Olive Oil to dutch oven, then add Onions, Garlic, and Bell Pepper and saute until Onions become translucent (clear) in appearance. (about 10 min.)
- Reduce to Medium heat, then add in Ketchup and stir to combine with veggies.
- Add Tomato Sauce, Diced Tomatoes, Chicken Broth, Worcestershire Sauce, cooked Beef, Dry Seasoning Mix, and then stir well.
- Cover dutch oven and allow mixture to simmer for 15 minutes, stirring regularly.
- Next, add your uncooked Elbow Macaroni and stir well.
- Cover dutch oven and allow Goulash to simmer for 20 more minutes, stirring regularly.
- Serve in bowls and top with optional Sour Cream, Shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese, and Sliced Green Onions.
Notes
- To prepare this as a slow cooker beef goulash, cut all ingredients in half.
- Add oil, onions, garlic, and bell pepper to large skillet and sauté over medium-high heat for about 7 minutes, or until onions turn clear.
- Add ground beef to skillet and cook for 7 more minutes, or until browned.
- Drain grease from skillet and transfer mixture to 5 quart (or larger) crockpot.
- Add tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, chicken broth, Worcestershire sauce, Italian seasoning, cumin, chili powder, salt, and pepper… then stir until well combined.
- Add UNCOOKED macaroni to crockpot, stir well then cover crockpot.
- Cook on LOW for 1.25 – 1.5 hours, or until pasta is done. (stir once halfway through cooking time)
- Cut all ingredients in half, while still using a full can of Chicken Broth.
- Mix seasonings together and set aside.
- Turn Instant Pot to ‘Sauté’ setting. Once hot, add onion, garlic, bell pepper, and ground beef, and stir well while sautéing. (about 7 minutes)
- After meat has browned, add seasoning mixture and Worcestershire Sauce and stir well. Saute for 2 more minutes.
- Then cancel Sauté setting, add chicken broth and noodles, and give it a good stir.
- In middle of pot, create a mound of ketchup, tomato sauce, and diced tomatoes (including juice from can). You want to avoid these tomato ingredients from touch the sides if possible to avoid burning, so don’t stir after mounding them up in the middle.
- Place lid on Instant Pot, select ‘Pressure Cook’ setting, High pressure, and change your cook time to 4 minutes.
- Preheating will start a few seconds after settings are selected, and your Pressure Cooker will take about 15 minutes to come to pressure before cooking begins.
- Once cooking is done, do a quick release (I usually do a ‘gradual’ quick release to avoid any mess… I do this with a few gradual nudges to release the steam quickly, but in short spurts). Stir well before serving.
Like this recipe? Rate & comment below!
I want to make this, but I am not sure if you add the macaroni to the Dutch Oven uncooked or already cooked.
You’ll add uncooked macaroni to your dutch oven. Hope that helps… and ENJOY!
Haha – I like that you called this American goulash! It’s exactly what I remember from when I was a kid, and I can’t wait to eat it again. We had Hungarian goulash this past summer, and I can say that it is SO different than our American version. Both are delicious, though!!
This is definitely designed to tease and totally please American taste buds. It’s loaded with flavor and the leftovers are absolutely amazing too!
This was so yummy and I will definitely be making it again! We aren’t really big tomato fans so I only used one can of diced tomatoes instead of two and I used taco seasoning instead of Italian seasoning. I served it with crescent rolls. My husband loved it!
I’m so glad you liked the goulash, Stacy… and those sounds like delicious twists! 🙂