This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

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.
Save This Recipe!
Just enter your email and get it sent to your inbox! Plus you’ll get new recipes from us every week!

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

    Get my cookbook!

    My new cookbook is the ultimate resource for feeding your friends and family with 200+ simple recipes including videos, tips & more!

    4.97 from 600 votes (296 ratings without comment)

    Leave a comment

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    674 Comments

    1. Dawn says:

      5 stars
      My husband and i love this recipe!

      1. Kristyn Merkley says:

        Yay!! So glad you do! Thank you 🙂

    2. Maryann says:

      5 stars
      I’ve made this goulash for years. Instead of tomato sauce & crushed tomatoes, I add V-8 juice and rotel chili’s & tomatoes plus a lot of onions. Sometimes I also add bell peppers, if i have them. Yum! Thanks for the recipe. I never thought of adding soy sauce plus I never had a recipe. This is great!!! Maryann

      1. Kristyn Merkley says:

        Thank you for saying that!! I sure hope you do try this 🙂 Yours sounds yummy, too 🙂

    3. Ty says:

      haven’t tried but looks very good! Am wondering if and how could add corn to this? Would it be as simple as adding a drained can or less of corn?

      1. Kristyn Merkley says:

        Corn would be a great addition. I would drain the can, before adding it 🙂

    4. Carol says:

      5 stars
      I absolutely LOVE THIS RECIPE!! Thank you ?

      1. Kristyn Merkley says:

        You are so welcome!! Thank you for sharing that 🙂

    5. Lydia says:

      5 stars
      I definitely give this 5 stars! Thank you:) it was really simple and evreybody loved it! I used spiral egg noodles and also added onion and some mushrooms! ?

      1. Kristyn Merkley says:

        Thanks for the rating! I am so happy everyone loved it! Thank you for trying it!

    6. Vilda Collier says:

      5 stars
      Best goulash I have ever made and tasted !!!!!!

      1. Kristyn Merkley says:

        Awe, thank you!! I am so happy to hear that!!

    7. Fran says:

      5 stars
      I added corn, peas, & carrots yum!!!!

      1. Kristyn Merkley says:

        Perfect!! Thank you for sharing. I am glad you liked it!

    8. 2pots2cook says:

      5 stars
      So beautiful to be back to find this beauty !

    9. Rachel says:

      I’m wondering if I could half the recipe. It’s just me and my brother and we dont necessarily need that much food lol Although leftovers would be amazing if you think I shouldn’t half the recipe. Tia. This sounds amazing by the way

      1. Kristyn Merkley says:

        You sure could or freeze what you don’t eat!

    10. Natalie says:

      4 stars
      This Very goOd and my little picky eater ate it. It was way too saltY though. I had to go back and be sure that i didnt do something wrong. Next time i muSt cut back on salt or soy sauce.

      1. Kristyn Merkley says:

        Thank you for giving it a try 🙂 Glad your picky eater liked it!