This super easy Goulash Recipe is a comfort food classic! It’s filled with hearty ground beef and tender pasta in a rich tomato-based sauce and comes together in about 30 minutes!
I’m always looking for new and exciting ways to turn ground beef into dinner, but sometimes I just love the good old classics that bring me right back to my childhood. This Goulash Recipe is just that. It’s super affordable, quick to make and tastes like a warm hug on a cool evening.
Classic Goulash Recipe
Are you familiar with Goulash? If not, let me introduce you to this old fashioned recipe! This recipe is an American Goulash that’s great for busy weeknights, but I love to take this recipe to potlucks and parties because it makes a ton and is super affordable. It’s also great for picky eaters, I haven’t met one kid who doesn’t love this dish!
Goulash is filled with ground beef, onion and bell peppers along with macaroni noodles in a tomato-based sauce. I like to stir in some sharp cheddar cheese at the end to give it a creamy texture. My family loves it!
Goulash Ingredients:
- Onion – I like to use either a white or yellow onion
- Green Bell Pepper – you can use other colors of peppers if desired
- Ground Beef
- Garlic
- Tomato Sauce
- Diced Tomatoes – I love using the petite diced tomatoes here
- Beef Broth
- Worcestershire Sauce
- Seasoned Salt
- Italian Seasoning
- Bay Leaves
- Dry Macaroni Noodles – other small pastas would work too
- Cheddar Cheese
How To Make Goulash
- Start by browning the ground beef along with the onion and bell pepper. Drain any fat and then toss in garlic until fragrant.
- Pour in tomato sauce and diced tomatoes along with beef broth and Worcestershire sauce for some added depth of flavor.
- Add in the seasonings as well as dried macaroni noodles and let simmer until the noodles are cooked through.
- Finally stir in the cheddar cheese and dig in!
Tips and Variations:
- Make sure you use a big pot, as this recipe does make a lot!
- You can swap out the macaroni noodles for any other small pasta you have on hand.
- To make this an even leaner meal, you can use ground turkey in place of ground beef.
- Try adding in extra veggies like: corn, peas, diced carrots, green beans or even stirring in baby spinach at the end!
- Stir in a cup of sour cream at the end to give this recipe an even creamier base!
- The goulash is not quite soup consistency, but if you would like to add extra beef broth to make it more soupy you can definitely do that!
More Comfort Food Dinners
- Chicken Noodle Casserole
- Cabbage Soup Recipe
- Instant Pot Beef Stew
- Ground Beef Cheesesteak Pasta Skillet
Helpful Products To Make This Recipe
Here are some of my favorite tools to make this American Goulash Recipe:
- Cast Iron Dutch Oven (6 quarts)
- Wooden Spoon Set
- Cheese Grater
Easy Goulash Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 cup onion, diced
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 2 lbs. ground beef, lean
- 3 tsp garlic, minced
- 2 15 oz cans tomato sauce
- 2 15 oz cans petite diced tomatoes
- 3 cups beef broth
- 3 tbsp Worcestershire Sauce
- 2 tsp seasoned salt
- 2 tbsp Italian Seasoning
- 3 bay leaves
- 2 cups macaroni noodles, uncooked
- 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
Instructions
- Add olive oil to large pot over medium-high heat. Add in the onion, bell pepper and ground beef then cook until beef is no longer pink. Drain any excess fat and return pot to stove top. Add in garlic and stir until fragrant (about 30 seconds).
- Pour in the tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, seasoned salt, Italian seasoning, bay leaves and dried macaroni noodles. Stir and bring mixture to a boil. Reduce heat to a light boil and stir occasionally until the pasta is tender, about 20 minutes.
- Remove the bay leaves and stir in the cheddar cheese just before serving. Enjoy!
Nutrition
PIN THIS IMAGE TO SAVE THE RECIPE:
Spicy Italian Pinwheels Recipe
Me
Way too much stuff in it . . . I wanted a very basic goulash and I knew this one had way too much stuff in it but I tried it and wasted all the ground beef I could afford to buy. No one in my family will eat it so it has to go down the garbage disposal . . .
Traca Kusch
Wow rude much?
Dennis
We all know that opinions are like a-holes … everybody has one and they vary from person to person
Here is my take. My wife and I felt that the Italian seasoning was too strong. I changed the serving size to 5 and followed the recipe with the exception of the suggested 1Tbs Italian seasoning and only added 1 Tsp. Even using just 1/3rd of the suggested Italian seasoning amount … the spice still over-powered the goulash even after adding 1/2 cup of tomato paste. If I would’ve omitted it the Italian seasoning it would’ve been delicious. I will use the recipe again with that change. I also plan to try celery instead of the green peppers like others have suggested.
Signed,
Finicky Tastebuds
Ellie
Can this dish be frozen goulash?
Terri Kimball
I absolutely LOVED this recipe. I actually just got done eating it . My husband loved it too. It was super easy to make. Thank you for the recipe. It’s definitely a keeper. Iam bringing some to work tomorrow for my lunch. YUM.
susan obryan
No celery; add Ranch Style beans.
Ann Whitman
I was short on tomatoes, so I put some Zing Zang (used to make Bloody Mary’s) and it was delicious. Gave it a little kick!
Seasons01
Nummy. I omit the Bell Pepper and add Celery.
Cynthia
Really liked this recipe!! I just used minced onion since my husband doesn’t care for onions or peppers. Added an extra cup of elbow macaroni and it made a dutch oven pot full! Was enough to share with our little neighbor couple, the grandsons and still had lots of leftovers! It’s definitely a repeater! Thank you for sharing this!!
Lanea J
The recipe was quick, simple and good. Growing up this was my mom go to meal when on a budget.
Brought back so many memories. I kicked up the heat by adding fresh jalapenos. Thanks for sharing
Lanea J
The recipe was quick, simple and good. Growing up this was my mom go to meal when on a budget.
Brought back some many memories. I kicked up the heat by adding fresh jalapenos. Thanks for sharing
Jackie Dickerson
I was a can of rotel! What do you think I’ve never made it.
Liz
I halved this recipe since there are only 2 of us and followed the recipe exactly. Let me tell you this is amazing!! My husband hated goulash since it was always made bland when he was a child, but the second he tasted this he told me to write it down and please add to the week night rotation! Seriously this is so good as written!
Michele Goldsmith
My family loved it! Delicious and will definitely be the new go-to recipe for goulash in our house!
Debbie
Very good had no peppers just added more season came out good
Michelle
Love this recipe! I’ve made it several times now and it’s always a hit. Great comfort food recipe. Thanks so much!
Yeah
Amican
Micah
Second paragraph on the page specifically states “This recipe is an American Goulash”… so that’s your fault for not reading.
Shannon E.
I’m not sure if I’ve commented before TBH, but since I found this recipe last year I’ve made it at least once a month and it’s amazing! My S.O. doesn’t like onions or peppers, I think it’s a texture thing, so I usually omit the bell pepper and use dried onion flakes. He actually enjoys the flavor of cooked onion but can’t admit it, so I compromise.
To stretch my budget, I use one giant can of crushed tomatoes instead of the tomato sauce, red lentil or other protein based pasta, and I tend not to put in a full 2 lbs of ground beef. If I feel it’s too watery, there’s tomato paste for that.
We add cheese to taste in our own bowls, and mozzarella works just fine for me.
Also, to help keep sodium down, I use chicken stock instead of beef.
I’m looking forward to making it again soon, as it’s a great, hearty, flavorful meal that goes a LONG way. It’s also great for sharing portions with friends and family. My ex has been battling esophageal cancer for 3 years now and he will go through periods where he can’t physically get food down. This meal is one of the 1st ones he had and was able to actually eat after his chemo was restarted the last time, and to say he was pleased is a vast understatement.
I live alone, but am looking forward to checking out your recipes to see if you have smaller versions of anything delicious. Thank you again for sharing this, it’s fantastic!
Shannon E.
BTW, I JUST now found the slider in the recipe which automatically adjusts portion size! I’m SOO happy!!
Shannon E.
SHAUNA K MAROFSKY
I blend up the onion and peppers in the sauce. No one ever notices
Kris
The recipe shows the number of calories per serving but I don’t see the Serving size. Can someone please help?
Kim
Made last night, it was amazing! Added the cheddar cheese on top when serving. So so good. It has been many years since I’ve had American goulash.
Kim
Oh I also added a can of corn and a can of cut green beans, yum.
Kelli Cotey
Excellent! Love the beef broth (4 cups)…used stewed tomatoes cause I didn’t have green peppers, didn’t put in bay leaf also. Did add in 1 cup frozen corn which gave it a little sweetness which helped with acidity of tomatoes. Already printed it out for cook book.
Thanks again
David Blanck
Really easy to make and very satisfying. One pot wonder.
Tammi Dellapina
Trying this tonight, can’t wait! Am I the only one that already knows I’ll want to add more pasta? I have 2 teenage boys & they eat a lot!
Katie
I use 4 cups of dried pasta and just double the broth! I make this recipe multiple times a month because it feeds many and lasts long!!
Matt H.
I have always doubled the pasta; it’s perfect.
Gwenevere
Great
Willow
Best goulash I’ve ever had!! I did cook the peppers and onions separately cuz I like them a certain mushiness. Cook the noodles in the broth mixture was hesitant but came out perfect. I did have to cook the noodles for about 40 minutes so they were tender. Well worth it!!! I am saving this recipe. this will be handed down!! DELICIOUS.
Cynthia Corcoran
Too tomatoey!
SHAUNA K MAROFSKY
The longer you cook tomatoes sauce with seasons the better it comes out anyway.
Fred
Have made this several times and it’s the best recipe for goulash out there!
Denise A
A little too tomatoey. Noodles got REALLY mushy. I cooked for 20 mins but they went from al dente to mush somewhere around 15. Otherwise DELISH!
Larry David Watson
I tried this recipe and it was too tomatoey for me.
Leigh
Add a little bit of sugar to it and it won’t taste so tomatoey. It cuts out the acidic taste. I’m sure it’s not the authentic Italian way, but I’m not Italian and it works.
Cynthia
Adding the sour cream cuts down on the acidity of the tomatoes so it’s not so tomatoey. Works good in chili, too!
PaulaBrown
I like to add a jar of beef gravy to cut the tomato a bit.
Cat
It’s cold and rainy was looking for comfort food. This was absolutely delicious. Cut the recipe in half because it’s just my son and I. It made alot! The seasoning was perfect and used red bell pepper because thats all I had. Definitely going in the rotation. So easy to make. Thank you for sharing
AJ Webb
Found this recipe and figured I’d give it a try. Hands down the best goulash I have ever had in my entire life. Thank you
Terese
Delicious and easy to make! I didn’t have quite enough ground beef on hand but had some left over mango habañero brats from last night’s BBQ, chopped them up and they turned out to be a nice touch!
All family members loved it!
Will defo make again!
Cheryl
I halved this – it was great! Didn’t have elbows so subbed shells, so had to cook a bit longer. The shells were great in that they “grabbed” some of the sauce in their little pockets. Oh, and had to add corn for the hubs – added a half can drained white corn shortly after I added the pasta. A cross between my Northern “hot dish” and my husband’s Southern goulash. Will make again!
Lin
Used a large jar of marinara sauce, instead of regular tomatoes. My mom always precooked the pasta. Similar but a little bit different. Loved it‼️‼️
Mimi V
This is the best goulash recipe ever!!
Paula Hill
I used ground turkey instead of beef, and it was delicious! Thank you for the yummy recipe!
Erica
This was excellent! Super easy to make. I added more cheese and a little more noodles because I just like lots of cheese and noodles but literally wouldn’t change anything else! Keeping this recipe for future thanks so much!
Irene
Has anyone tried to use crushed tomatoes instead of petite diced? I find that the chunks of tomatoes are still too big for my liking with petite diced.
Jeff
Use an immersion blender or small food processor.
It’s pretty basic
Leeann
I use rotel mild and omit the green peppers
Holly
I used crushed tomatoes and it was just fine.
Sally
This was so good ! Husband and grandson loved it too.
Nanci
I used diced tomatoes but I always cut them up a lot when I use them in anything. I don’t like big chunks of tomatoes.
Heather
Someone in another review
did and said it worked great.
John Hoyer
Perfect. Thought it was a bit to acidic so added 1/2 teaspoon sugar and acid taste totally gone
Samantha Taber
Didn’t have all the ingredients, so I improvised added some soy sauce, oyster sauce (since i didnt have Worcestershire sauce), tomato soup, and chicken base. Pureed cherry tomatoes, onion, and baby spinach with some water. Added some roasted garlic butter seasoning, garlic powder and onion powder along with what it called for, also added in some sour cream at the end for creaminess. It turned out amazing.
Jen
looks amazing can’t wait to try it!
Steven kreidermacher
Absolutely fabulous . Thank you
Scott VanFossen
Very good recipe, I changed the peppers from green to red as that was what I had on hand.
Very Savory, hit the spot.
Praxibetel Ix
I made this recipe for supper and I think it turned out great. I didn’t have any bay leaves. I did give it a couple shots of mustard, just because.
Robin
I used the new Chipotle broth. Amazing
Jessica C
This is an amazing recipe!! Followed it completely and it took me back to eating goulash my mom made when I was a kid. I let it sit a while to cool and it thickened beautifully. So ridiculously good! Love!!
Alice
The Best recipe on the interest for goulash!
I did add 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes to sauce. Yummo!