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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. Brittney neal says:

      5 stars
      This recipe was amazing! I did not use bay leafs but i did add some fresh chopped yellow onions when i added the garlic and let it cook for 5 mins before adding the rest! My picky kids loved it too!

      1. Kristyn Merkley says:

        Yay..glad your picky eaters liked it! Thank you for sharing that!

    2. Camara says:

      5 stars
      Delicious kids enjoyed it I used ground turkey and garlic and onion powder my favorite seasoning and pepper onions and orange bell pepper

      1. Kristyn Merkley says:

        Sounds perfect! Thank you for sharing what you did! Glad everyone liked it!

    3. Sara says:

      GOULASH FROM EUROPE IS NOT THIS!! I AM FROM EUROPE AND THIS FOOD I DO NOT KNOW. OUR RECIPE IS VERY DIFFICULT 🙂 FIND ON GOOGLE GULÁŠ AND TRY

      1. Kristyn Merkley says:

        I hope you do try this. My family loves this! Let me know what you think!

    4. TIMi jo says:

      5 stars
      So great! Normally all of the recipes I find online need a little bit of a tweaking, but this recipe was fantastic just as the recipe calls! I have been on the search for a goulash recipe that has great flavor… the search is now over! New favorite & regular for my family of 6! Thank you!

      1. Kristyn Merkley says:

        Yay! I love hearing that! So happy you liked it! Thank you so much for letting me know!

    5. Paul Smith says:

      5 stars
      i liked this recipe very much and tried it on the christmas dinner i hosted in Chicago i was a little worried as i am net to cooking but it turned out fine and everyone liked it. Thank you!

      1. Kristyn Merkley says:

        I am happy everyone liked it. Thank you for making it!

    6. Dee Dee says:

      5 stars
      This is the best! The whole family, even the 8 month old loved it!

      1. Kristyn Merkley says:

        Yay!! I am glad your whole family liked it! I appreciate you trying it!

    7. Linda says:

      4 stars
      Skillet was not large enough. Recipe did not say whether to drain the diced tomatoes so with the 3 cups of water, had an overflow. Had to cook MACARONI separate. Will see how it turns out taSteWise.

    8. Nikki says:

      5 stars
      Thank you for the great recipe. I will add this one to my rotating collection. My family loved it and it’s simple enough for a week night. I’ve made this twice now and I added chopped zucchini when i added the pasta. good way to get the kids to eat veggies!

      1. Kristyn Merkley says:

        Great idea! Thank you for sharing that! Glad you like it 😉

    9. CArrie says:

      5 stars
      Big hit with the family! It makes A LOT so you will have plenty of leftovers. It’s a keeper!!

      1. Lil'Luna Team says:

        Yay! Glad it was a hit! Yes, it’s a good one for leftovers or taking to a neighbor!

    10. Sybil says:

      5 stars
      This was a hit. I used gluten free pasta, added pinto beans and let everyone add their favorite cheese right before serving/

      1. Lil'Luna Team says:

        Great idea!! I am glad it was a hit! Thank you for letting me know 😉