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About This Recipe
This American Goulash is one of the best recipes you can make to kick off the new year! It’s a hearty one-pot meal that is made with a pound of ground beef, a rich tomato sauce, elbow macaroni and melty cheese for a meal that even your picky eaters will love!
It’s super easy to make for a quick weeknight dinner and uses simple ingredients so you aren’t overwhelmed getting back into the swing of things.
For more easy one-pot meals, try my One-Skillet Ground Beef Orzo, Easy Healthy Spaghetti Bolognese, or 30-Minute Lightened Up Hamburger Helper!
Why You’ll Love This Easy Goulash Recipe
- Budget-friendly: Made with affordable, easy-to-find ingredients to help stay in your new year’s budget!
- Simple pantry ingredients: No fancy or hard-to-find items here, just classic staples you likely already have on hand.
- One-pot meal: Everything cooks in a single pot for easy prep and even easier cleanup!
- Reheats well: This goulash tastes just as good (if not better) the next day, making it great for lunches or meal prep.
- Family-friendly: Beef, cheese and noodles… what’s not to love about this classic comfort food?
- Olive oil: You can also use avocado oil or any cooking oil you prefer.
- Lean ground beef: I used lean 90/10 ground beef. You can also swap in ground turkey or ground chicken for a leaner option.
- Garlic: Fresh minced garlic or frozen cubes both work great!
- Yellow onion and red bell pepper: Feel free to swap the red bell pepper for green pepper or orange, or use whatever you have on hand. I also love to use to frozen chopped onions to save time!
- Tomato sauce: Marinara can work if needed, though it may slightly change the flavor slightly.
- Diced tomatoes: Fire-roasted diced tomatoes are a great option for a deeper taste.
- Beef broth: I used low-sodium beef broth (if using regular, just reduce or omit the additional salt). You can also use beef bone broth for added protein or chicken broth also works.
- Seasonings: Italian seasoning, paprika, crushed red pepper flakes (feel free to adjust the crushed red pepper flakes to control heat).
- Elbow pasta: Macaroni noodles are the classic choice for American goulash. Small shells or rotini also work well.
- Shredded cheddar cheese: Adds creaminess and richness. I highly recommend using freshly shredded cheese for the best melt and taste. Colby jack or a cheddar blend also work great!
- Make it lighter: Use ground turkey or ground chicken and reduce the cheese.
- Add more veggies: Stir in zucchini, cauliflower rice, mushrooms, or spinach for extra volume.
- Spicier version: Increase the crushed red pepper flakes or add a splash of hot sauce.
- Gluten-free: Use your favorite gluten-free pasta.
How To Make
The full printable recipe is below, but let me walk you through the process so you know what to expect when you’re making it!
1. Heat oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and garlic.
2. Cook, breaking the beef into crumbles as you go, until browned, about 7-8 minutes.
3. Add the chopped onions, peppers, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes (with the juices), beef broth, Italian seasoning, paprika, and crushed red pepper flakes. Increase the heat to a boil.
4. Once boiling, add the elbow pasta and reduce the heat to a simmer.
5. Cook, uncovered, for 10-12 minutes, until pasta is al dente. Stir occasionally so the pasta doesn’t stick.
6. Remove from heat and stir in the cheese. Cover the pot and let it sit until the cheese is melted. Season with salt and black pepper to taste and enjoy!
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat leftover goulash on the stovetop or in the microwave, adding a splash of broth or water to loosen it up if needed.
Helpful Tips
🥣Keep stirring: Make sure to stir occasionally while simmering to prevent pasta from sticking to the bottom of the pot.
💦Add more broth: If the goulash thickens too much as it sits, add a little broth or water when reheating to loosen it back up.
🧀Freshly shredded cheese: Shred your own cheese for the smoothest melting texture.
Can I make this ground beef goulash ahead of time?
Yes! This recipe is perfect for making ahead and reheating throughout the week.
Can I freeze American goulash?
You can freeze it, just note that the macaroni pasta may soften slightly when reheated. Freeze in airtight containers for up to 2 months.
Is American goulash the same as Hungarian goulash?
No, American goulash is a pasta, tomato-based sauce comfort dish, while the Hungarian version is more of a stew made with chunks of meat and paprika.
Did you make this? If you snap a photo, please be sure leave a review, tag me on Instagram or TikTok at @LaurenFitFoodie or hashtag #LaurenFitFoodie so I can see your creations!
American Goulash
Ingredients
- 1 tsp. olive oil (5g)
- 1 lb. lean ground beef 90/10
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 medium yellow onion (200g) chopped
- 1 red bell pepper (150g) chopped
- 1 14-oz. can tomato sauce
- 1 14.5-oz. can diced tomatoes
- 1 cup beef broth 8 oz.
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1/8 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 cup dry elbow pasta (110g)
- Salt & pepper to taste
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (112g)
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Instructions
- Heat oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and garlic; cook, breaking the beef into crumbles as you go, until browned, about 7-8 minutes.
- Add the chopped onions, peppers, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes (with the juices), beef broth, Italian seasoning, paprika and crushed red pepper flakes. Increase heat to a boil.
- Once boiling, add the elbow pasta and reduce heat to a simmer. Cook, uncovered, for 10-12 minutes, until pasta is al dente. Stir occasionally so pasta doesn’t stick.
- Remove from heat and stir in the cheese. Cover pot and let sit until cheese is melted.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste and enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition Information
Nutrition is hand-calculated and accurate. No autocalulations! However, note that values can vary based on the brands you use and if you substitute ingredients.
