Best Goulash Recipe

4.97 from 616 votes

Best Goulash Recipe

This easy goulash recipe is a one pot favorite, combining ground beef, pasta, and rich tomato sauce into a hearty dinner we make on repeat.

Prep Time10

Cook Time45

Total Time55

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Servings:

Author: Kristyn Merkley

Ingredients

2 pounds ground beef, 80 percent lean/20 percent fat
3 teaspoons minced garlic
3 cups water, or beef broth
2 (15-ounce) cans tomato sauce
2 (14.5-ounce) cans diced tomatoes
3 tablespoons soy sauce
2 tablespoons Italian seasoning
1 teaspoon seasoned salt
3 bay leaves
2 cups elbow macaroni, or penne or shell pasta
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, optional topping

Instructions

In a large skillet over medium-high heat, sauté ground beef until cooked, 8-10 minutes, then drain off excess fat.
Add garlic and sauté for about 2-3 minutes. Add water, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, soy sauce, Italian seasoning, seasoned salt and bay leaves. Stir, cover and cook for 15-20 minutes.
Add macaroni to the skillet, stir well and cover. SImmer for about 15 minutes. Turn off the heat, remove the bay leaves, and cheese right before serving.

Video

Notes

Recipe Tips.

Drain excess grease to avoid a heavy, greasy sauce.
Stir occasionally while simmering so the pasta does not stick or burn.
Remove the bay leaves before serving.
Add a splash of broth if the pasta absorbs too much liquid.
When serving, we love to top our individual bowls with a little extra cheddar cheese (each to our liking), for a little extra cheesy goodness.
Crock pot directions: 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.

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.

Slow Cooker Directions. Saute ground beef in a skillet until cooked. Drain excess fat, add garlic and saute for 2 minutes. Transfer beef to the slow cooker along with all remaining ingredients except the cheese. Cook on high for about 3 hours or on low for 6-7 hours. Add cheese 20-30 minutes before serving.

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