Easy Goulash Recipe

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This easy Goulash Recipe is a family favorite and the ultimate comfort food! Macaroni noodles are cooked in a hearty meat sauce and then covered in melted cheese, making this the best American goulash ever!

American Goulash Recipe with a fork

    American Goulash Recipe

    We absolutely love this easy Goulash Recipe, and your family will too! This is the perfect one-pot meal that comes together in a snap for a weeknight dinner. This recipe is the classic American Goulash version and a regular in our house, but also great for potlucks because it makes a large amount and is budget friendly. Kids really love this dinner as well!

    What is the Difference between Hungarian Goulash and American Goulash?

    Hungarian Goulash is more like a stew with meat and veggies, while American Goulash is a quick dish made from ground beef, seasoned tomato sauce, and elbow macaroni noodles. This recipe also goes by the name of American Chop Suey.

    American Goulash Recipe in a bowl

    Ingredients Needed

    Here’s what you’ll need to make Easy Goulash Recipe (the exact measurements are below in the easy to print recipe card).

    • Olive oil – you’ll cook the onion, pepper, and ground beef in the oil. If you prefer, you can use a different oil, such as vegetable oil.
    • Onion – either a yellow or white onion works well.
    • Green bell pepper – bell peppers are mild, but add great flavor to the goulash.
    • Beef – Lean ground beef
    • Garlic – fresh peeled and minced garlic is the best for this recipe.
    • The Sauce – Canned tomato sauce, petite diced tomatoes, beef broth, Worcestershire Sauce, seasoned salt, Italian seasoning, and bay leaves.
    • Macaroni noodles – be sure you do not cook the macaroni before adding it to the beef goulash. It will cook as it simmers together with the meat and sauce.
    • Cheddar cheese – you’ll add this right at the end to make the goulash nice and cheesy.
    American Goulash ingredients

    How To Make American Goulash

    This takes just 15-20 Minutes to prepare!

    • Add olive oil to large pot or Dutch oven and heat over medium-high heat.
    • Mix the onion, bell pepper, and ground beef then cook, stirring often, until the beef is fully browned. Drain off any excess fat. Next, add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
    • Pour in the tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, seasoned salt, Italian seasoning, and bay leaves.
    • Add the uncooked macaroni noodles.
    • Stir well and bring mixture to a boil over medium-high heat.
    • Reduce the heat to low and allow the mixture to simmer, stirring occasionally, for about 20 minutes until the pasta is tender. Remove the bay leaves and stir in the cheddar cheese just before serving.
    • So delicious and cheesy!
    Homemade American Goulash Recipe in a pot with a spoon

    What to Serve with American Goulash

    Here are a few side dish options to serve with this goulash recipe.

    Variations

    Ground Turkey – to lighten the dish, you can use ground turkey instead of beef.

    Fire-roasted Tomatoes – try using fire-roasted petite diced tomatoes for extra flavor.

    Add some Spice – to make your goulash spicier, try adding some cayenne pepper.

    Homemade American Goulash in a bowl

    More Comfort Food Dinners

    American Goulash Recipe feature
    5 from 5 votes

    Easy Goulash Recipe

    This easy Goulash Recipe is a family favorite and the ultimate comfort food! Macaroni noodles are cooked in a hearty meat sauce and then covered in melted cheese, making this the best American goulash ever!
    Servings: 8 servings
    Prep: 20 minutes
    Cook: 30 minutes
    Total: 50 minutes

    Ingredients
      

    Instructions

    • Add olive oil to large pot or Dutch oven and heat over medium-high heat. Add the onion, bell pepper, and ground beef then cook, stirring often, until the beef is fully browned. Drain off any excess fat. Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
    • Add the tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, seasoned salt, Italian seasoning, bay leaves, and uncooked macaroni noodles. Stir well and bring mixture to a boil over medium-high heat.
    • Reduce the heat to low and allow the mixture to simmer, stirring occasionally, for about 20 minutes until the pasta is tender.
    • Remove the bay leaves and stir in the cheddar cheese just before serving.

    Last Step:

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    Nutrition

    Calories: 405kcal | Carbohydrates: 24g | Protein: 36g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 0.4g | Cholesterol: 99mg | Sodium: 1263mg | Potassium: 625mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 347IU | Vitamin C: 14mg | Calcium: 235mg | Iron: 4mg

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    5 from 5 votes (1 rating without comment)

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    5 comments on “Easy Goulash Recipe”

    1. 5 stars
      We had this bit of nostalgia for dinner tonight. A staple back in the day. Great version of goulash like a hearty version of soup for a winter day! A keeper !