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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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    674 Comments

    1. Tara Caldara says:

      5 stars
      I don’t think you have enough 5 starts for this recipe! Just made it tonight for the family and everyone had seconds! It was delicious and easy! Perfect for this mom. THAnk you for sharing!!!

      1. Kristyn Merkley says:

        You are so welcome!! I am so happy to hear that! Thank you so much for sharing the recipe with your family!!

    2. Chad Harris says:

      5 stars
      This is by the far the most flavorful and Delicious homemade goulash we have ever had. It is a dish that you will crave and one bite will satisfy that craving!

      The longer your simmer- the more flavorful the dish!

      1. Kristyn Merkley says:

        Thank you so much for sharing that!! I am so glad you like it, as much as we do!

    3. Carol Houston says:

      5 stars
      I remember this meal from my childhood. Mom made it a lot cause we didn’t have much money during the war. glad to find it again. Thanks

      1. Kristyn Merkley says:

        Glad you found it! It’s a good, easy recipe 🙂

    4. Anne says:

      5 stars
      I added a can of kidney beans for extra fiber and protein! Yum!

      1. Kristyn Merkley says:

        Great idea!! Glad you liked it!

    5. Laurie Shupe says:

      5 stars
      We made this tonight and it was Awesome! My husband LOVED it. Thank you for all your recipes. ??

      1. Kristyn Merkley says:

        You are so welcome!! Thank you for trying them 🙂

    6. Jacquie says:

      4 stars
      Made this tonight and it was a hit with the family. We all found it to be on the salty side. Will make again, but will definitely cut down on the salt. It was easy too…..which I looooove!

      1. Kristyn Merkley says:

        Glad to hear 🙂 Thank you for trying it!

    7. Celine says:

      5 stars
      Made this for dinner tonight! Delicious! I Used vegetable stock instead of water, turned out great! Pinning!

      1. Kristyn Merkley says:

        Great option!! Thanks for sharing & trying it!

    8. Sian says:

      5 stars
      LoVely recipe, simple and tasty. Added finely cHopped fresh rosemary and herbs de provence and half a cube of chicken sTock Dissolved in water

      1. Kristyn Merkley says:

        Sounds yum! Glad you liked it! Thank you for letting me know!

    9. Chloe says:

      5 stars
      This recipe is a family favourite! My husband and my kids love this, it makes frequent appearances on our menu plan, and it is simple enough that my eldest son who is 11 years old can make dinner for all of us.

      For Aussie readers, the closest comparison to “tomato sauce” we have is a can of Leggos tomato puree.

      1. Kristyn Merkley says:

        Thank you so much for sharing that!! I am so glad it’s on your menu 🙂 That’s awesome your son can make it, too!

    10. Pam JOHNSON says:

      5 stars
      The whole family loved this recipe. The family asked that I make it weekly and triple the recipe. I also added Rotel.

      1. Kristyn Merkley says:

        Glad it’s a keeper!! Thank you so much!