American Goulash Recipe (2024)

This easy American Goulash recipe is full of hearty ingredients that will warm you from the inside out.

While goulash can vary, this version uses ground beef, canned tomatoes, elbow macaroni, and onions to make a hearty one pot meal.

It’s packed with zesty flavor and the perfect way to feed a crowd on a budget.

American Goulash Recipe (1)

Goulash Around The Globe

American Goulash is not the same thing as goulash in other parts of the world.

The difference between Hungarian and American Goulash:

Hungarian Goulash is a beef and onion soup seasoned with Hungarian paprika and sometimes containing potatoes and/or carrots (often made without vegetables).

American Goulash is old-fashioned goodness. It’s a simple dish with ground beef and elbow macaroni in tomato sauce. This American comfort food is also called “slumgullion”, Hamburger Goulash, or “American chop suey” among other names!

American Goulash Recipe (2)

Goulash is a Childhood Favorite!

  • American goulash uses simple ingredients, and it’s budget-friendly.
  • This recipe can be stretched to feed a crowd by adding extra pasta and sauce.
  • It needs only one pot which means less mess and fewer dishes to wash!
  • Double up the batch or freeze leftoversfor future meals.
American Goulash Recipe (3)

Goulash Ingredients

Ground Beef—Ground beef (or hamburger meat) is browned as the base of this meal, and it’s okay if you use a little bit more or less than called for. You can substitute Italian sausage or use ground turkey if you’d like.

Elbow Macaroni – I use elbows but any small pasta will work. Try small shells, bowties, or ditalini all work well.

Sauce – This goulash recipe has a rich zesty tomato sauce. Use favorite jarred pasta or marinara sauce combined with a can of tomatoes. We add water to cook the pasta but you can use beef broth in place. The sauce is seasoned with tomato paste and Italian Seasoning.

Variations

  • Diced celery or red bell pepper can be added to the meat sauce.
  • Stir in some Worcestershire sauce and a sprinkle of chili flakes.
  • Stretch the meal with extra pasta (and water) or a can of drained beans.
  • Stir in some Parmesan cheese, or top it with cheddar cheese or sour cream for serving if desired.
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How to Make Goulash

This easy goulash recipe comes together in just one pot.

  1. Brown beef, onion, & garlic in a large pot or Dutch oven.
  2. Add remaining ingredients except for pasta. Cover and simmer for 15 minutes to thicken.
  3. Add pasta and simmer until tender.

Serve goulash with bread or dinner rolls for dipping and dunking.

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Leftovers?

Fridge: Leftover American goulash can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat on the stove or in the microwave.

Freezer: Freeze chilled portions in zippered bags with the date labeled on the outside for up to 4 weeks. Thaw in the refrigerator before reheating on the stovetop.

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Did your family love this American Goulash? Be sure to leave a rating and a comment below!

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4.97 from 670 votes↑ Click stars to rate now!
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American Goulash

Goulash is a simple skillet dinner with tomatoes, beef, and macaroni noodles in a zesty tomato sauce. It's a perfect comfort food on a budget!

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ReviewPrint

American Goulash Recipe (8)

Prep Time 20 minutes minutes

Cook Time 50 minutes minutes

Total Time 1 hour hour 10 minutes minutes

American Goulash Recipe (10)

Author Holly Nilsson

Ingredients

  • 1 pound lean ground beef
  • 1 large yellow onion chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 cups marinara sauce or tomato-based pasta sauce, approx. ½ of a 26 oz jar
  • 2 cups beef broth or water (more as needed)
  • 14 ounces canned diced tomatoes undrained
  • 3 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 green bell pepper diced, optional
  • 1 ½ teaspoons Italian seasoning
  • 1 bay leaf 2 if they are small
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 ½ cups elbow macaroni noodles uncooked, about 8 oz
  • ½ cup cheddar or mozzarella cheese, shredded, optional

Instructions

  • In a large skillet with a lid or a Dutch oven, cook the ground beef, onion, and garlic over medium-high heat until no pink remains. Drain any fat.

  • Add the marinara sauce, broth, diced tomatoes with juices, tomato paste, bell pepper (if using), Italian seasoning, & bay leaves. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat.

  • Add the elbow macaroni, reduce the heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

  • Uncover and simmer for an additional 5 to 10 minutes or until the pasta is tender.

  • Remove & discard the bay leaf. Top with cheese if using, and replace the lid. Let rest for about 5 minutes or until the pasta has thickened and the cheese is melted.

Video

Notes

This recipe can easily be doubled to feed a crowd (serving sizes can be adjusted in the print screen).

For heartier appetites, the meal can be stretched with additional pasta (and water/broth), canned beans or chopped vegetables. (diced zucchini, sliced mushrooms, corn, or additional bell peppers). Any ground meat can be substituted for beef.

Start with the amount of broth/water as listed and add extra if needed (depending on pasta shape). The goulash will thicken as it cools and rests. Depending on the size and shape of your pan, you may need to add a little bit more liquid. Keep an eye on the dish as it cooks, and add more liquid as needed. The mixture will thicken slightly as it cools.

Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.

4.97 from 670 votes

Nutrition Information

Serving: 2cups | Calories: 217 | Carbohydrates: 24g | Protein: 21g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 47mg | Sodium: 562mg | Potassium: 812mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 587IU | Vitamin C: 23mg | Calcium: 59mg | Iron: 4mg

Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.

American Goulash Recipe (11) Course Beef, Dinner, Main Course, Pasta

© SpendWithPennies.com. Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited. Please view my photo use policy here.

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More Favorite Cozy Meals

  • CrockPot Goulash – super easy to make
  • Chicken Parmesan Casserole – quick take on an Italian favorite
  • Classic Stuffed Shells – filled with cheese and baked until bubbly
  • Baked Rigatoni Pasta – easy family favorite
  • Easy Lasagna – made in just one pot

Categories:

Ground Beef, Main Dishes, Pasta and Pizza Recipes

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About the author

Holly is a wine and cheese lover, recipe creator, shopping enthusiast and self appointed foodie. Her greatest passion is creating in the kitchen and making deliciously comforting recipes for the everyday home cook!
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American Goulash Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is American goulash made of? ›

It features ground beef, pasta (usually macaroni) and tomatoes. Unlike Hungarian goulash, American goulash cooks quickly, making it a great family-friendly option for weeknights.

What's the difference between Hungarian goulash and American goulash? ›

Hungarian Goulash is a thick meat and vegetable stew with a broth that's heavily seasoned with paprika, while American Goulash is a quick dish made from ground beef, tomato sauce, herbs, and elbow macaroni noodles. It also goes by the name of American Chop Suey.

How many types of goulash are there? ›

There are two kinds of goulash: Hungarian goulash, which calls for the slow-simmered beef to be served alongside egg noodles, and American goulash, which pulls in ground beef and cooks the noodles in the pot alongside the sauce.

How do you soften goulash meat? ›

8 simple tips to make meat softer
  1. Utilize the meat tenderizer. A quick and easy method is the use of the meat tenderizer. ...
  2. Cover the meat with coarse salt. ...
  3. Acid marinade. ...
  4. Marinade with fruit puree. ...
  5. Slow cooking in a pan. ...
  6. Grilling. ...
  7. Add the coarse salt halfway through cooking. ...
  8. Use baking soda.

What is original goulash made of? ›

Compulsory ingredients are meat and onions, usually in 50-50% ratio, paprika, and lard or oil, other ingredients being optional: garlic, parsley, chili pepper, black pepper, cinnamon, bell peppers, carrots, tomatoes, red wine, mushrooms, bacon.

What should you serve with goulash? ›

Serve up a hearty goulash for the ultimate comforting stew on winter nights. Searching for the perfect accompaniment? Try mashed potato, dumplings or your favourite veg.

Why do people put sugar in goulash? ›

The secret to this recipe is adding a little sugar. It's an important step because it mellows the acidity of the tomatoes. It's a super simple recipe to pull together, and it basically just cooks itself.

What is German goulash made of? ›

This German Goulash is what the Swabians in Germany call “Hungarian Goulash”. Ha! A juicy and tender beef stew made with paprika, peppers, and a red wine sauce. Originally goulash (gulyás) is from Hungary but over the centuries this traditional stew obviously traveled into different cuisines, including German cuisine.

What does "goulash" mean in slang? ›

goulash in American English

2. a heterogeneous mixture; hodgepodge; jumble.

Is goulash the same as stroganoff? ›

Traditional goulash is a stew/soup, usually using a cheaper cut of meat suited to slow cooking. It usually contains potatoes and other vegetables, as well as noodles. A true stroganoff consists of paprika-dusted fillet steak quickly pan fried with mushrooms and onions in a sour cream and brandy sauce.

What country eats the most goulash? ›

The national dish of Hungary! Boldly flavoured with stacks of paprika, lots of onion, garlic and capsicum/bell peppers, with fall apart hunks of beef. It's sort of a stew, sort of a soup.

Does Worcestershire sauce tenderize meat? ›

Recipe blog One Good Thing notes that the vinegar in Worcestershire sauce tenderizes steak, its sugar and molasses bring both sweetness and sheen, and ingredients such as onion, garlic, tamarind, and anchovy pack a wallop of umami flavor.

What does baking soda do to meat? ›

Baking soda. Here's where it gets science-y: The baking soda raises the pH on the outside of the meat as it marinates, in a process known as velveting (which can also be done with a cornstarch slurry). This makes it so the proteins have a harder time bonding to each other when it's time to cook the meat.

What can I use to thicken goulash? ›

The three main thickening agents for gravies are flour, cornflour and arrowroot. The first two are normally used in savoury dishes while arrowroot tends to be used in sweet dishes – that said, arrowroot will work in a savoury dish as it has no flavour.

Is American Goulash the same as American chop suey? ›

American chop suey is an American pasta casserole made with ground beef, macaroni and a seasoned tomato sauce, found in the cuisine of New England and other regions of the United States. Outside New England it is sometimes called American goulash or Johnny Marzetti, among other names.

What's the difference between goulash and spaghetti? ›

What is the difference between spaghetti and goulash? Spaghetti is a favorite dish with some similar ingredients. However, the noodles and sauce are cooked separately and then combined when serving. In contrast, goulash is made by cooking the noodles and sauce together in a pot.

Is hamburger helper the same as goulash? ›

Hungarian goulash is a thick soup with meat and vegetables, usually seasoned with paprika. American goulash is very different. It generally has tomato sauce, macaroni and beef. It's almost like a homemade hamburger helper.

What's the difference between stroganoff and goulash? ›

Traditional goulash is a stew/soup, usually using a cheaper cut of meat suited to slow cooking. It usually contains potatoes and other vegetables, as well as noodles. A true stroganoff consists of paprika-dusted fillet steak quickly pan fried with mushrooms and onions in a sour cream and brandy sauce.

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