With this American style Easy 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!
Easy Goulash Recipe
Do you smell that marvelous aroma?
If not you will soon, because the aroma from this goulash simmering in your kitchen is absolutely heavenly!
Laine writes: "Yummo! Kids loved this! Will definitely make again!"
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 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 simple goulash recipe 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!
Just like this hearty Taco Spaghetti, super Easy Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe, and decadent Easy Fettuccine Alfredo Recipe, too!
So are you ready to make your own easy goulash recipe masterpiece?
Here’s what you’ll need to get started…
Ingredients
You’ll need just a few simple ingredients to make the BEST 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
- Ground Beef
- Onion – I like to use a Yellow onion for a rich, sweet flavor.
- Garlic
- Bell Pepper – I prefer Green for a delicious balance of flavor.
- Tomato Sauce
- Diced Tomatoes
- Chicken Broth
- Worcestershire Sauce
- Ketchup
- Italian Seasoning
- Cumin
- Chili Powder
- Salt & Pepper
- Garlic Salt
- Cooking Oil
You’ll also need a 5 – 6 quart Dutch Oven to prepare this easy 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.)
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Pin ItHow To Make Goulash
Trust me, deliciously easy goulash recipes with few ingredients don’t get any SIMPLER
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!
Trust me, easy dinner recipes like this easy goulash recipe serve up the best food for large groups!
Scroll down for the printable recipe card with detailed, step-by-step instructions.
Easy 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 Goulash Recipe
- 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 Goulash
- 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!
Goulash Toppings
To take this American 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!
- Green Onions
- Shredded Cheddar Cheese (medium or sharp)
- Sour Cream
How Long Does Goulash Last In The Refrigerator?
Your new favorite recipe for goulash with hamburger will last in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
One of my favorite easy meal prep ideas is to make this easy 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 goulash tastes just as good the second day!
What to Serve With American Goulash
To start with, I recommend topping this American 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!
Easy Goulash Recipe Reviews
Here’s What Your Frugal Friends Are Saying About This Easy Goulash Recipe…
One reader writes: “Delicious way to feed a crowd!”
E. writes: “A great family meal!”
Laine writes: “Yummo! Kids loved this! Will definitely make again!”
Cindy writes: “So yummy!”
Carolyn writes: “Excellent! I’ve made this a few times & it’s a hit every time.”
Nikki writes: “Always a great dish”
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.”
Sarah writes: “Delish!”
Betty writes: “This is so tasty!”
Donna writes: “Delicious! I halved the recipe and I still have leftovers.”
Kim writes: “So good! Definitely a family favorite”
More Easy Family Style Meals
Did You Enjoy This Easy Goulash Recipe? ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Leave a comment & review below!
Easy Goulash Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 pounds Ground Beef
- 16 oz. Elbow Macaroni
- 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 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 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.
Notes
- 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!
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! 🙂