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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. Savannah says:

      5 stars
      This is my second time making this recipe. It is so good and heats up very good in leftovers. Definitely one of my favorite Pinterest recipes! Thank you!

      1. Kristyn Merkley says:

        Yes, it’s the perfect leftover meal! Thank you so much 🙂

    2. Dancer says:

      Sheeze – Louise: can one really imagine the many – many different ways of making this meal? Here’s another way. 1ld ground beef 80/20% graveled we prefer frozen vegetables corn-peas 1- 1/2 cups each. add in beans of choice) we use generally chilly beans with it’s liquid) full table spoon Worcester sauce-A1 stake sauce seasoned salt ( to taste ) 1/2 table spoon Mrs Dash green top table salt 1/4 teaspoon cine-min 1 cup precooked macaroni ( elbow or ?? ) 2 cups fresh dices tomatoes adding one can of tomato 4 oz sauce. let simmer about 10-15 mins. Serves average 4 safely. Served over toast-biscuits or just as is. Add to ones taste their favorite hot sauce too. =)

      1. Kristyn Merkley says:

        Thanks for sharing! Sounds delish!

    3. Susan says:

      5 stars
      Thanks so much for the recipe we made tonight for dinner. It was very much a hit and makes a ton…was just wondering if anyone has tried freezing leftovers and if so, how were they upon defrosting? Thanks again for another good standby dinner!

      1. Kristyn Merkley says:

        You are so welcome!! Thank you for trying it & for letting me know what you thought!!

    4. Ksusha says:

      5 stars
      Its look so good!I’ll cook it for dinner tonight.

      1. Kristyn Merkley says:

        Yay!! Let me know what you think! I hope you love it!

    5. Ivy says:

      Hey Sorry, in the first step, do you leave the beef in the skillet after draining and then add the garlic to it? I assumed you would take it out to drain, but I don’t see when you add it back in?

      1. Kristyn Merkley says:

        Yes, sorry, you add it right back in 🙂 Thanks for asking! Hope you like it!

    6. Lori S says:

      5 stars
      I love your recipes but please please put a Pinterest link so I can save without having to go from here to Pinterest to search.

      1. Kristyn Merkley says:

        There is 🙂 I know on my computer, if my cursor is over the picture, the PIN button shows up, then I can PIN it. You may need to add the Pinterest on your toolbar.

    7. Lindsay says:

      5 stars
      I just made Cheesy Beef Goulash it was delicious unfortunately I put the past in too early and it was a bit soggy other than that it was really tasty. I will definitely be cooking it again. Thank you for an excellent recipe.

      1. Kristyn Merkley says:

        You are so welcome!Thank you for letting me know. I am glad you liked it 🙂

    8. Susan Fernandez says:

      5 stars
      I substituted the beef or ground turkey????

      1. Susan Fernandez says:

        For ground turkey*

      2. Kristyn Merkley says:

        That works too 🙂 Thank you!

        1. Susan Fernandez says:

          I just wanted to add that my three-year-old ask for seconds and everytime I serve myself leftovers he definitely ask for a bite so this is a very good family filling meal????????

    9. Kimberlee K Hucke says:

      4 stars
      It was good! However next time will adjust seasonings. A little more Italian than we like. Thanks for the recipe!

      1. Kristyn Merkley says:

        Glad to share & yes, you can always adjust to your liking 🙂 Thank you!

    10. Stacy Faircloth says:

      5 stars
      I just made this recipe for the first time and added corn and ranch style beans, it turned out delicious. Definitely the best goulash I have ever eaten or made.

      1. Kristyn Merkley says:

        Good idea! I’ll have to try it. Thank you for sharing!