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This old-fashioned easy goulash recipe is a one-pot family favorite! It’s the perfect go-to dinner recipe for any night of the week.

Easy Goulash recipe cooking in a skillet.
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What is Goulash?

This easy goulash recipe is a soup or stew of meat, usually seasoned with paprika and other spices. The recipe originated in Hungary and we’ve added our American twist.

Ours is tomato-based and full of macaroni, ground beef, and seasonings like basil, oregano, thyme, and rosemary. It’s a one-pot family favorite that we’ve made my entire life! It’s not only hearty, but it’s comfort food at it’s finest and so delicious!

Serve this American goulash recipe with some Garlic Bread or Garlic Knots and some Roasted Vegetables for a great Sunday dinner idea.

WHY WE LOVE IT:

  • A simple dinner. This one-pot meal is very easy and is one of our go-to beef dinner ideas.
  • Easy to change up. Add the cheese, leave out the cheese, add extra veggies, or even change the noodles. This recipe is very versatile.
  • Can be made in the slow cooker too! Just follow the directions below to make it in the crockpot.
Macaroni noodles on a kitchen table.

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds ground beef – Use lean ground beef or one with higher fat content. Drain any excess grease that is produced. Replace half the ground beef with 1 pound of Italian sausage or completely substitute the beef for ground turkey or chicken. 
  • 3 teaspoons minced garlic – see How to Mince Garlic
  • 3 cups water – Beef broth can be used instead of water for extra flavor. Increase the amount of broth to make this dish more “soupy” like the Hungarian goulash.
  • 2 (15-ounce) cans tomato sauce
  • 2 (15-ounce) cans diced tomatoes
  • 3 bay leaves
  • 3 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1 teaspoon seasoned salt – Add red pepper flakes for spice.
  • 2 tablespoons Italian seasoning
  • 2 cups elbow macaroni noodles – Macaroni noodles are a classic, but any similarly sized pasta will work such as shell pasta, penne, ditalini, or fusilli.
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese – or shredded mozzarella, Parmesan cheese, or omit
  • optional veggies peas, red bell peppers, spinach, onion, green beans, or carrots (add more tender vegetables toward the end)

How to Make Goulash

  1. MEAT. Sauté 2 pounds of ground beef in a skillet over medium-high heat until cooked, then drain. Add 3 teaspoons garlic and sauté for about 5 minutes.
  2. SAUCE. Add 3 cups water, 2 cans tomato sauce, 2 cans diced tomatoes, 2 tablespoons Italian seasoning, 3 bay leaves, 3 tablespoons soy sauce, and 1 teaspoon seasoned salt.
    • Stir this well; cover and simmer for about 15-20 minutes.
  3. PASTA. Add 2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni to the skillet, stir well, then return the lid and simmer for about 30 minutes.
  4. CHEESE. Once 30 minutes is up and the noodles are all cooked, turn off the heat, and remove the bay leaves. Add 1 cup of cheddar cheese right before serving, making this easy goulash recipe even more irresistible.

Make Goulash in a Crock Pot

  • Sauté the ground beef in a skillet until cooked.
  • Drain excess fat and add garlic. Sauté for another 5 minutes.
  • Put the sautéed meat in the crock pot along with the remaining ingredients. Save noodles to add during the last 1 hour of cooking.
  • Cook on HIGH heat for 3-4 hours or on LOW heat for 7-8 hours.
    Close up of American easy goulash recipe in a skillet.

    Complete The Meal

    Sides

    More Easy Pasta Dinners

    Collections

    4.97 from 600 votes

    Easy Goulash Recipe

    By: Lil’ Luna
    This old-fashioned easy goulash recipe is a one-pot family favorite! It's the perfect go-to dinner recipe for any night of the week.
    Servings: 8
    Prep: 30 minutes
    Cook: 30 minutes
    Total: 1 hour

    Ingredients 

    • 2 pounds ground beef
    • 3 teaspoons minced garlic
    • 3 cups water
    • 2 (15-ounce) cans tomato sauce
    • 2 (15-ounce) cans diced tomatoes
    • 3 bay leaves
    • 3 tablespoons soy sauce
    • 1 teaspoon seasoned salt
    • 2 tablespoons Italian seasoning
    • 2 cups elbow macaroni, uncooked
    • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

    Instructions 

    • Sauté ground beef in a skillet over medium-high heat until cooked. Drain. Add garlic and sauté for about 5 minutes. Add water, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, Italian seasoning, bay leaves, soy sauce, and seasoned salt. Stir well. Cover and allow to cook for 15-20 minutes.
    • Add the uncooked elbow macaroni to the skillet, stir well, return the lid, and simmer for about 30 minutes. Turn off the heat, remove the bay leaves, and add 1 cup of cheddar cheese right before serving.

    Video

    Notes

    Freezer meal. Brown the ground beef, drain, and cool. Add the ground beef and other ingredients to a freezer Ziploc and freeze for 3-4 months. (Save the noodles and cheese to add later). Thaw and heat on the stove adding the noodles during the last 30 minutes. Top with cheese.
    Store leftovers in an airtight container(s) and put it in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 542kcal, Carbohydrates: 41g, Protein: 31g, Fat: 28g, Saturated Fat: 11g, Cholesterol: 95mg, Sodium: 2457mg, Potassium: 1183mg, Fiber: 5g, Sugar: 10g, Vitamin A: 1020IU, Vitamin C: 21.8mg, Calcium: 210mg, Iron: 6.1mg

    Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

    Recipe FAQ

    Make a freezer meal?

    Brown the ground beef, drain, and cool. Add the ground beef and other ingredients to a freezer Ziploc and freeze for 3-4 months. (Save the noodles and cheese to add later). Thaw and heat on the stove adding the noodles during the last 30 minutes. Top with cheese.

    How to store goulash?

    Place leftovers in an airtight container(s) in the fridge for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat on the stovetop or microwave. 

    About Kristyn

    My name is Kristyn and I’m the mom of SIX stinkin’ cute kids and the wife to my smokin’ hot hubby, Lo. My mom’s maiden name is Luna, and I’m one of the many crafty “Lil’ Lunas” in the fam. On this site I like to share all things creative - from recipes to home decor to gifts and home decor ideas. Welcome!

    So Easy & So Yummy

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    4.97 from 600 votes (296 ratings without comment)

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    Recipe Rating




    674 Comments

    1. Samantha says:

      Can you use chicken with this recipe as well?

      1. Kristyn Merkley says:

        I haven’t tried, but I’m sure it would be great!

    2. Julie says:

      5 stars
      Awesome recipe! My 15 year old daughter made it. She added a diced yellow onion. She was so proud of herself for making such a great dinner for the family!

      1. Kristyn Merkley says:

        That’s awesome!! Tell her, way to go! I’m glad you all liked it! Thank you 🙂

    3. Tommy says:

      5 stars
      I have made a basic Goulash for years, nothing special…..Made this, and it is really really good, made some minor adjustments the second time I made it….just softened some bell pepper, onion, and pickled jalapeno, along with 1 can of rotel, and only put in 1 bay leaf…..these are just to my taste, the basic recipe is great….Thank you for it!!

      1. Kristyn Merkley says:

        Thanks for sharing..sounds good! I’m glad you liked it!!

    4. Scott says:

      5 stars
      Made this last night for my family of 5. Everyone LOVED it. Made plenty for 2 dinners and them some. Easy and delicious! Thanks! Printed recipe and put in my recipe box.

      1. Kristyn Merkley says:

        I am so glad they all loved it!! I love hearing that! Thank you!

    5. Malcolm Laird says:

      5 stars
      Cooked this for my granddaughters last night. They loved it.

      1. Kristyn Merkley says:

        Yay!! I’m glad they did! Thank you for sharing!

    6. Debby Lloyd says:

      5 stars
      This was delicious.

      1. Kristyn Merkley says:

        Glad you liked it! Thank you for trying it 🙂

    7. Jessica says:

      Making this right now, smells good. Had this as a kid. Can’t wait to try it.

      1. Kristyn Merkley says:

        Hope you liked it!!

    8. Autumn says:

      I’m excited to make this recipe. However, my children do not like chunks of tomato. What could I substitute in its place? Thank you in advance.

      1. Kristyn Merkley says:

        You could just leave it out or add whatever veggie they like. You could also crush/chop them smaller?

        1. Autumn says:

          5 stars
          I just used another can of tomato sauce. Thank you! It was very good.
          Thanks for the recipe!

        2. Kristyn Merkley says:

          You are so welcome!!

    9. Cassandra Lee says:

      I grew up eating variations of this ghoulash but as an adult I started using my left over Mac and Cheese as I always make too much for one meal. I always cook diced onion with the ground beef (one pound is plenty) and I also add a can of kidney beans.

      1. Kristyn Merkley says:

        Yes, there are lots of variations! Thanks for sharing what you do!

    10. Virginia says:

      5 stars
      My family loved this meal! They wanted to make certain that we’ll have this again.

      1. Kristyn Merkley says:

        Yay! So glad your family liked it! Thank you for letting me know!