This easy goulash recipe is family-friendly comfort food at it’s best! It’s a one pot American classic made with beef and pasta simmered in a flavorful tomato sauce.
More one pot recipes that we love include homemade hamburger helper and easy hamburger casserole.
Table of Contents
Classic American-Style Goulash
This easy goulash recipe is a good old fashioned classic ground beef recipe that reminds me of my childhood favorite! My mom made this and salisbury steak on busy weeknights when we needed a quick 30-minute meal.
This American goulash is different than Hungarian goulash which is a hearty beef stew seasoned with paprika. It’s made with a tomato sauce, veggies, ground beef and elbow macaroni noodles. It’s quick, budget-friendly and filling. Kids love it!
I love that this easy recipe is a one-pot meal with no need to cook noodles separately like my spaghetti bolognese. It’s hearty like these one pot burrito bowls and a comforting nostalgic recipe like million dollar spaghetti casserole and tater tot casserole!
Easy Goulash Recipe Ingredients
Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.
- Ground beef: I like to use 80/20 lean ground beef.
- Macaroni noodles: Other small noodles work like small shells or penne.
- Beef broth: Vegetable or chicken broth work if that is what you have on hand.
- Tomatoes: This recipes uses tomato sauce along with petite diced tomatoes.
- Vegetables: I like to add in onion, red bell pepper and corn. If you like green peppers that can be used.
- Seasonings: I use my homemade Italian seasoning but store-bought is fine.
- Cheddar cheese: While optional, I always melt sharp cheddar cheese on top before serving.
How to Make Goulash
Brown the beef, onion and peppers in large pot or large dutch oven over medium-high heat until brown. Drain any fat, then add in garlic, Italian seasoning, seasoned salt and Worcestershire sauce for flavor. Cook 1-2 more minutes.
Stir in diced tomatoes, corn, broth and tomato sauce and bring to light simmer. Then add in uncooked elbow macaroni to the meat sauce, stir and cover with lid.
Continue to cook for 10-12 minutes, stirring every few minutes to prevent sticking. Salt and pepper to taste then if desired, sprinkle with cheese and cover for about 1 minute, until cheese has melted. Garnish this American comfort food with fresh basil or parsley.
Tips and Variations
- Use ground turkey or ground chicken in place of the ground beef. Try Italian sausage for a different flavor!
- Additional vegetables like peas, green beans, shredded carrots, chopped celery or mushrooms can be added.
- For some extra creaminess, add up to a cup of sour cream at the end.
- If you like your American goulash recipe a little more of a soup consistency add an extra cup of broth, water, or tomato sauce.
- Add a sprinkle of red pepper flakes for some heat or some smoked paprika for a little smoky flavor.
- My Instant Pot goulash is an easier hands off way to make this dish.
Goulash Serving Suggestions
This traditional goulash recipe is rich and hearty so I love to serve it with a chopped salad and artisan bread or garlic bread to soak up all the delicious sauce.
For a seasonal easy weeknight meal that is warm and comforting, my whole family loves when I add roasted vegetables and sweet cornbread.
How to Store
- To store: Place any leftover goulash in an airtight container and store in the fridge for about 3 to 4 days.
- To reheat: I love to place the leftovers in a small baking dish and sprinkle with cheese. Then bake at 350°F until hot and bubbly. You can also warm up in the microwave
- To freeze: Place in an 8×8″ metal tin and wrap with foil. Then place it inside a freezer bag and add a freezer meal label with the date. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight and then cook at 350°F for 30-45 minutes, or until hot. You could also top with more cheese before baking.
Need more comfort food dinners? Try this turkey sloppy joe recipe, beef stew or cabbage soup.
More Comforting One-Pot Meals
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Easy Goulash Recipe
Video
Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- ½ cup chopped onion
- 1 bell pepper , chopped
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 1 ½ teaspoons seasoned salt , such as Lawry’s
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning , plus more to taste
- 2 Tablespoons Worcestershire sauce , plus more to taste
- 1 (15-ounce) can petite diced tomatoes
- 1 cup frozen corn
- 1 (15-ounce) can beef or chicken broth , add an extra cup if desired (see note)
- 1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce
- 1 ½ cups dry elbow noodles
- Salt , plus more to taste
- Ground black pepper , plus more to taste
- Bay leaf , optional
For serving (optional): Shredded cheddar cheese and Fresh basil or parsley
Instructions
- In a large pot, cook beef, onion, and pepper over medium heat 3 to 5 minutes, or until brown. Drain any grease, if needed. Stir in the garlic, Italian seasoning, seasoned salt, and Worcestershire sauce. Let cook an additional 1 to 2 minutes.
- Stir in diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, corn, and broth. Season with salt and pepper. Add bay leaf, if desired. Bring to a light simmer and add noodles. Stir and cover with a lid. Let cook 10 minutes, or until the noodles are tender, stirring halfway to prevent noodles from sticking.
- Season to taste. Sprinkle cheese over top, if desired, and cover 1 minute, or until the cheese has melted. Add fresh basil or parsley, if desired. Serve while hot!
Notes
- If you prefer more liquid, add an extra cup of broth, water, or tomato sauce.
- Also, this recipe is easy to add in extra veggies when cooking the onions. Sometimes I’ll add in chopped celery or mushrooms.
Nutrition
Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.
Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below!
Categorized as: 30 Minute Meals, 30 Minute Meals, American, Beef, Dinner, Freezer-Friendly, Freezer-Friendly, One Pot, One Pot, Pasta
Jamielyn Nye is the founder and recipe creator at I Heart Naptime. She is the author of the I Heart Naptime Cookbook and shares easy family-friendly recipes and desserts for every occasion.
I made this tonight for dinner. I followed the recipe exactly and it was really delicious and easy! Even my husband who “ doesn’t care for goulash” enjoyed this recipe. Thanks for a great weeknight meal for a busy Mom!!
I’m so glad it was a hit, even for your husband! Thanks for your comment and review Christine! :)
Do you drain the diced tomatoes and the corn? I am guessing yes…
Hi Steph! I actually leave the juices so the noodles have enough liquid to cook! :)
I just had to comment because I have made goulash before (ok, let me say I have attempted to make goulash before) and it didn’t turn out as good as this recipe. Everyone loved it! Will definitely be making this again. Thanks!
I’m so glad everyone loved it. Love this comfort food!
This was an awesome recipe. I will be making this again.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it. It is a family staple! :)
Made this tonight for my family w/Elk meat. It was so good that when I got up from the dinner table, I made another pot for the rest of the week- or to freeze. It was fabulous! I didn’t use peppers (as I had none)- and added 3tsp of garlic, rather than 2. The first batch was pretty salty- so i omitted adding any extra salt beyond the season salt. I also used oregano, basil, garlic diced tomatoes. My husband and teenage boys were impressed and FULL!!
I’m so glad your family enjoyed this meal! Thanks for sharing your substitutions. Glad to know it is just as good with elk meat! :)
I loved this the first time I made it and I’m making it again tonight. I use ground turkey instead of hamburger and a can of rotel instead of tomatoes to add some bite. Thank you for such a simple and delicious recipe!
Thanks for sharing your substitutions! Glad you enjoyed this recipe. :)
I would like to try the crock pot as well. After browning the meat, should I add everything in the pot and cook on high for an hour? Cheese added after that? Also we have someone in our family who is allergic to bell peppers. What could I substitute? Thanks.
Yep! I would just leave the bell peppers out, you won’t be able to tell the difference! :)
Can this be done in a crock pot? If so, for what length of time?
Hi Tom! You could do this in the crockpot but I think it is easier just to do it on the stove since it only takes 30 minutes. If you would like to do it in the crockpot I would recommend cooking the ground beef ahead of time and then cooking in the crockpot for 1 hour on high. :)
This was awesome! I made a big batch for Halloween and it was gobbled up. I’ll definitely make again and can’t wait to check out more of your recipes!
I’m so glad it was a hit! Love this comfort dish. Thanks for stopping by Nikki! :)
EASY comfort food at its best. This looks totally delicious and I’d devour it if it were in front of me! Yum yum.
Definitely comfort food! My family loves this stuff!
Monday dinner idea solved. Thank you so much !
I made this last night and it was very easy and delicious. I left out the corn, due to dietary restrictions, but it was still very good. Thank you for the recipe.
I’m glad you liked it! It’s a staple in our house. :)
This sounds fabulous!
Thank you for the great recipe! We used ground bison meat instead of beef and frozen instead of canned corn. Turned out great!
Loved this! Made a pot for my husband and I for dinner tonight. I swapped chopped cauliflower for the corn and ground turkey for beef because that’s what we had on hand. It was delish! Thanks for the recipe!
I love simple meals and this one looks delicious. Can’t wait to try it!
Yum! My mom makes a goulash like this but with ground turkey instead of beef! Haha we call it piggy food in my family :D
Cute name! We love this one pot dish. It is ultimate comfort food! :)
You had me at “one pot”! Absolutely love simple yet delicious recipes like these, can’t wait to see more. Have a great week!