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.
Delish. Very easy. Comfort food. I added small can of mushrooms .
Glad to hear you enjoyed it! The additions of mushrooms would be delicious.
This recipe turned out great!! My kids and husband loved it! I’m new to making goulash and your recipe is easy and delicious!💗
I made your banana pudding recipe, and it was DELICIOUS! I was looking for an easy goulash recipe, and I came across this one. I was thrilled when I realized it was yours! I can’t wait to make it this weekend! I have no doubt it will be great as well! Thank you for the wonderful recipes!
I’m glad you enjoyed the banana pudding! This goulash recipe is a staple in our house. I hope you enjoy it! :)
Make it tomorrow night.
Hope you enjoy!
Tasty. Your recipe mentions tomato sauce twice in the directions and I am wondering if you mean to put tomato paste and tomato sauce?
Hi Evelyn. That was just a typo in the directions. It is just 1 can of tomato sauce. :)
This was a good ,but then I made it and added a few things I add 3 bay leaves 1/2 tsp. 1/4 tsp.cayenne pepper,paprika,fresh sliced mushrooms, 1 can (14-15 oz.) tomato sauce. This also turned out really well too.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for sharing your substitutions!
Do you drain the corn and tomatoes?
I don’t since its a one pot meal. All the liquid helps the noodles cook!
I love it that you included sweet corn. Every summer I buy extra sweet corn to freeze for the months to come. This is one excellent way to use it. In Iowa we have some of the best sweet corn. Thanks! The goulash came out very well. It’s going to be lunch at work for two days.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! Sweet corn is so delicious!
I grew up eating goulash! I love how easy and comforting this meal is!
Goulash is such a comforting meal!! I love how cheesy this is! It’s a family favorite!
This is the first Goulash recipe I’ve tried and it was delicious! Can’t wait to try more!
So glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for the review!
Loved this recipe. Am wondering if I could substitute cooked chicken for the ground beef.
I’ve never substituted with chicken, but that should be fine!
Excellent recipe for a quick easy family meal. Delicious!!! I will make this every week for my family, they love it!
I’m so glad your family loves it!
Why do you use chicken broth. It’s ground beef. Use beef broth.
Beef broth will work as well!
This was SOOO GOOD!!! My guy loved it, and it was fairly quick to make – which I love!
I’m so glad it was a hit! :)
I made this as a low sodium recipe and it was edible but lacked flavor. I gave it 5 stars because if I had been able to use the Worcestershire sauce and salt it would have been delicious. My main concern was finding a recipe I could adapt and I thank you for that. I used No Salt, pepper and Mrs. Dash seasonings and no salt tomato products. I will tweak the recipe and make it again.
I’m glad you were able to adapt this recipe to make it low sodium! :)
Best Goulash I have ever had
So glad you enjoyed it!
Fantastic dish.. Easy and fast to make…Totally warms one up on a cold winter day here in North Dakota!!
Will defiantly make again!!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
I had this at my daughter’s and loved it. So, I made it myself the next time, and it was so easy, and just as good as at my daughter’s. This definitely one of my go-to meals!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! :)