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 601 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 601 votes (296 ratings without comment)

    Leave a comment

    Your email address will not be published.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

    Recipe Rating




    675 Comments

    1. Shauna Fults says:

      I tried it and all we could taste was the Italian seasoning. Next time I’ll probably add maybe teaspoons of the Italian seasoning instead of the tablespoons.

      1. LilLunaTeam says:

        Let me know how it turns out next time. I would love to hear! Thanks for trying it!

    2. Renae Greene says:

      5 stars
      I love this goulash! It”s a keeper!!

      1. LilLunaTeam says:

        I’m so glad you liked it! Thanks for sharing! 🙂

    3. Spanishguns says:

      Everybody that thinks it’s to salty use an extra cup of pasta it will flavor the noodles

      1. LilLunaTeam says:

        Thanks so much for the tip! Hope you enjoy it!

    4. Karla says:

      5 stars
      Very tasty! I forgot to add in the cheese. Added it afterwards. I actually liked it without the cheese. Delicious and simple.

      1. Kristyn Merkley says:

        That works 🙂 Thank you so much for sharing that!

    5. Laurel says:

      4 stars
      I made this in the crockpot and the flavour was good but the noodles turned to mush. I recommend that the pasta does not be added until the last few hours.
      I also used Mrs. Dash instead of season salt

      1. Kristyn Merkley says:

        Good suggestion! I haven’t tried in the crockpot, so good to know! Thank you!

    6. Con says:

      Eek that sodium amount is crazy insane! I would substitute the soy sauce for Coco aminos and omit the salt.

    7. Emily says:

      5 stars
      I’ve made this recipe several times and really enjoy it! The sauce had the perfect tang and I love the textures combined in this dish. Just got an instant pot and wondering if the recipe could be converted to work in that? Anyone have tips?

      1. Kristyn Merkley says:

        Happy you liked it! I have not tried this in the instant pot, yet.

    8. Rachel H says:

      5 stars
      Our family LOVES this recipe! And it makes enough for our family of six, with at least one serving of leftovers.

      1. Kristyn Merkley says:

        Love to hear that! I am glad you all do! Thank you for letting me know 🙂

    9. Kathy says:

      5 stars
      Other than not using soy sauce and adding an Onion to this recipe, this is what we called spaghetti growing up. Loved it.

      1. Kristyn Merkley says:

        Thank you for letting me know!

    10. Carrie Sentz says:

      5 stars
      This is my go to goulash recipe!! Packed with flavor, it is a family favorite…and did I mention it feeds AND satisfies everyone in my big family of ten with leftovers to enjoy!!’

      1. Kristyn Merkley says:

        Yes, it can feed many! Thank you so much for sharing that! Glad you like it!