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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 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

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    4.97 from 601 votes (296 ratings without comment)

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    Recipe Rating




    675 Comments

    1. Cameron says:

      5 stars
      I made it last Friday 13th August for a dinner party and they enjoyed. There was enough left over us to have for tea Sunday night. My parents enjoyed it as well. We put in an onion. Didn’t have mushrooms or chilli beans to put in.

      I add more water, seasoned salt and tomato sauce to it. Definitely would make it again. Super quick and easy to make.

      1. Lil'Luna Team says:

        Yay! I’m so glad to hear the dish was a success!! Your changes sound delicious and I’m happy you enjoyed it.

    2. Cameron Webb says:

      Hi. I am wanting to know what you can put in, in place of the Seasoned salt because I am from NZ and haven’t seen it. I was wondering if you can make it a day before you eat in.

      1. Lil'Luna Team says:

        Hi! Seasoned salt is a combination of salt, herbs, and spices. There are a bunch of different copy cat/substitution recipes. I’d suggest just searching google if you want to create your own version of seasoned salt. Another option is to just use salt, pepper and a little garlic powder.

    3. Gina L says:

      5 stars
      My go to recipe for goulash! Tastes amazing and one of my favorite comfort foods. I add mushrooms and onions to make it my own but the recipe is easy and great.

      1. Lil'Luna Team says:

        Ooh the addition of the mushrooms and onions sounds delicious. So glad to hear you love the goulash!

    4. Courtney says:

      5 stars
      Delicious! I didn’t have tomato sauce on hand but used 1.5 cups of homemade pasta sauce/veg purée instead. Also added spinach & coloured peppers to get some extra veg in the pot. Will make again!

      1. Lil'Luna Team says:

        That sounds like a tasty adaptation! So glad you enjoyed the recipe!

    5. Marga Reardon says:

      5 stars
      I made this recipe tonight it’s very good. I added some onions when I added the garlic.

      1. LilLunaTeam says:

        I’m so happy you liked the recipe! Thanks so much for trying it!

    6. Joyce Miller says:

      5 stars
      My husband and I love this recipe! I’ve noticed complaints about the pasta turning to mush when it’s cooked in a crockpot but if you wait until the last hour before adding the macaroni it will turn out perfectly.

      1. Lil'Luna Team says:

        Thanks for sharing! I’m glad to hear you enjoyed the recipe.

    7. Cherie Hanes says:

      3 stars
      Don’t make this in the crockpot! It turns your noodles to mush and ruins the consistency of the dish. I also thought it was bland, but my husband liked the flavor.

      1. Lil'Luna Team says:

        Thanks for your feedback and for giving the recipe a try!

    8. Danielle Santiago says:

      5 stars
      The family loved the dish even our picky 2 year old grandson ate all of his!! 👏👏👏 So this recipe is a keeper.

      1. Lil'Luna Team says:

        Yay!! It’s always a win when the toddlers enjoy a dish, right? 🙂 Thanks for sharing! Glad to hear it was a hit.

    9. Barbara says:

      A the recipes I have seen for goulash seem to have Italian seasoning in it. Now that makes it more Italian than anything else. I dont remember my mother EVER using Italian seasoning in it. I wish I could find a really good recipe for goulash.

      1. Lil'Luna Team says:

        You could certainly try it and just omit the Italian seasoning if you don’t care for the flavor it gives. Hope you find the right recipe! 🙂

    10. Anita Babcock says:

      5 stars
      I added a can of kidney beans. This was super good. It is better than my mother’s recipe.
      I added some grated cheese into my bowl and stirred it up before eating it. That seemed to top it off.
      To make what is leftover in the pot easier to reheat, I would wait to add the cheese into everyone’s bowl once it
      Was reheated. It was fast and easy to fix.

      I will definitely make this again this gets 5 stars.

      1. Lil'Luna Team says:

        Thank you for sharing!! I’m all about extra cheese to top off any dish, so that sounds like a brilliant idea. 😉 So glad you enjoyed the dish!