American Goulash Recipe (2024)

This easy American Goulash recipe is full of hearty ingredients that will warm you from the inside out.

Simple ingredients like ground beef (hamburger meat), canned tomatoes, elbow macaroni, and onions are all cooked in one pot for an easy hearty meal.

It’s packed with zesty flavor and the perfect way to feed a crowd on a budget!Serve it alongside somecornbread or homemade biscuits for sopping up the sauce in the bottom of the bowl!

American Goulash Recipe (1)

What is Goulash?

American Goulash and Hungarian Goulash are two completely different dishes.

American Goulash is not the same thing as goulash in other parts of the world. Like many dishes that have the same name (like dumplings for example) the ingredients and preparation are different.

The difference between Hungarian and American Goulash:

  • Hungarian Goulash, a robust beef and onion soup seasoned with Hungarian paprika and sometimes containing potatoes and/or carrots (more often made without vegetables though).
  • American Goulash is old-fashioned goodness. It’s a simple dish consisting of ground beef and elbow macaroni in a tomato-based sauce. It’s classic American comfort food that also goes by the name “slumgullion”, Hamburger Goulash, or “American chop suey” among many others!

American Goulash Recipe (2)

Why We Love This Dish

  • American goulash uses a few simple inexpensive ingredients, it’s a great way to feed a crowd.
  • It needs only one pot which means less mess and fewer dishes to wash!
  • It’s really easy to make and great for beginners, it’s cozy and tastes great!
  • This recipe can be stretched to feed a bigger crowd by adding extra pasta and sauce.
  • Double up the batch or freeze leftoversfor future meals.

American Goulash Recipe (3)

Goulash Ingredients

GROUND BEEF: Ground beef (or hamburger meat) gives this dish its base and adds lots of flavors, Italian sausage can be substituted for the beef for extra flavor.

ELBOW MACARONI: Use whatever pasta is on hand! Elbow, small shells, bowties, or ditalini all work well.

SAUCE: Goulash has a rich zesty tomato sauce! Use your favorite jarred pasta or marinara sauce combined with a can of tomatoes (and juice!). We add water to cook the pasta but you can use beef broth in place.

The sauce is seasoned with tomato paste and Italian Seasoning for an extra boost of flavor.

Variations

  • Add some shredded carrots or red bell peppers for a bit of sweetness in the zesty sauce. Diced celery is great in this recipe too.
  • Stir in some Worcestershire sauce, a sprinkle of chili flakes.
  • Stretch out the meal with extra pasta (and water) or a can of drained kidney beans (or your favorite kind of beans).
  • Top it with cheese if desired.

American Goulash Recipe (4)

How to Make Goulash

It’s literally as easy as 1,2,3.

  1. Brown beef, onion, & garlic in a large pot or dutch oven.
  2. Add remaining ingredients except for pasta. Cover and simmer 15 minutes to thicken.
  3. Add pasta and simmer until tender.

Serve goulash with bread, or dinner rolls for dipping and dunking.

American Goulash Recipe (5)

Leftovers?

Keep leftover American goulash in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat on the stove before serving. Freeze chilled portions in zippered bags with the date labeled on the outside for up to 4 weeks. Thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.

American Goulash Recipe (6)

More Easy Ground Beef Pasta

  • Instant Pot Pasta Sauce
  • Easy Homemade Lasagna
  • Cheesy Skillet Lasagna
  • Easy Baked Mostaccioli
  • Crock Pot Spaghetti Sauce
  • Fusilli with Meat Sauce

Did your family love this American Goulash? Be sure to leave a rating and a comment below!

American Goulash Recipe (7)

4.97 from 644 votes↑ Click stars to rate now!
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American Goulash

Goulash is a simple skillet dinner with tomatoes, beef, and macaroni noodles in a zesty tomato sauce. It's a perfect comfort food on a budget!

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ReviewPrint

American Goulash Recipe (9)

Servings 8 servings

American Goulash Recipe (10)

Author Holly Nilsson

Ingredients

  • 1 pound lean ground beef
  • 1 large onion chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 cups marinara or tomato-based pasta sauce, approx. ½ of a 26 oz jar
  • 1 ¾ cups beef broth or water or as needed
  • 14.5 ounces canned diced tomatoes with juices
  • 3 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 green bell pepper diced, optional
  • 1 ½ teaspoons Italian seasoning
  • 1 bay leaves 2 if they are small
  • salt & black pepper to taste
  • 1 ¼ cups elbow macaroni noodles uncooked
  • ½ cup cheddar or mozzarella cheese, shredded, optional

Instructions

  • In a large skillet with a lid or a Dutch oven, cook ground beef, onion, and garlic over medium-high heat until no pink remains. Drain any fat.

  • Add water, pasta sauce, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, green peppers (if using), seasonings, & bay leaves. Simmer, covered, for 15 minutes.

  • Add in the elbow macaroni and continue to simmer, covered, stirring occasionally, until pasta is tender (about 20 minutes).

  • Remove & discard bay leaves. Top with cheese if using and replace the lid. Let rest about 5 minutes or until cheese is melted.

Video

Notes

This recipe can easily be doubled to feed a crowd (serving sizes can be adjusted in the print screen).

For heartier appetites, the meal can be stretched with additional pasta (and water/broth), canned beans or chopped vegetables. (diced zucchini, sliced mushrooms, corn, or additional bell peppers). Any ground meat can be substituted for beef.

Start with the amount of broth/water as listed and add extra if needed (depending on pasta shape). The goulash will thicken as it cools and rests. Depending on the size and shape of your pan, you may need to add a little bit more liquid. Keep an eye on the dish as it cooks and add more liquid as needed. The mixture will thicken slightly as it cools.

Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.

4.97 from 644 votes

Nutrition Information

Serving: 2cups | Calories: 217 | Carbohydrates: 24g | Protein: 21g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 47mg | Sodium: 562mg | Potassium: 812mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 587IU | Vitamin C: 23mg | Calcium: 59mg | Iron: 4mg

Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.

American Goulash Recipe (11) Course Beef, Dinner, Main Course, Pasta

American Goulash Recipe (12) Cuisine American

© SpendWithPennies.com. Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited. Please view my photo use policy here.

More Favorite Cozy Meals

  • CrockPot Goulash – super easy to make
  • Chicken Parmesan Casserole – quick take on an Italian favorite
  • Classic Stuffed Shells – filled with cheese and baked until bubbly
  • Baked Rigatoni Pasta – easy family favorite
  • Easy Lasagna – made in just one pot

Categories:

Beef, Main Dishes, Pasta and Pizza Recipes

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About the author

Holly is a wine and cheese lover, recipe creator, shopping enthusiast and self appointed foodie. Her greatest passion is creating in the kitchen and making deliciously comforting recipes for the everyday home cook!
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American Goulash Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between goulash and American goulash? ›

There are two kinds of goulash: Hungarian goulash, which calls for the slow-simmered beef to be served alongside egg noodles, and American goulash, which pulls in ground beef and cooks the noodles in the pot alongside the sauce.

What is true goulash made of? ›

The classic “kettle goulash” is prepared by frying cubes of beef or mutton with onions in lard. Garlic, caraway seeds, tomatoes, green peppers, and potatoes complete the stew. Székely gulyás, another Hungarian specialty, is a stew of pork and sauerkraut flavoured with tomatoes, onions, caraway seeds, and sour cream.

What to serve with American goulash? ›

The best side dishes to serve with American Goulash are crispy green beans, country gravy, mashed sweet potatoes, butternut squash, watermelon cucumber salad, caramelized carrots, Tabasco sauce, corn salsa, grilled asparagus, cornbread, roasted Brussels sprouts, cucumber salad, garlic bread, biscuits, and macaroni ...

What is technically goulash? ›

Goulash (Hungarian: gulyás) is a soup or stew of meat and vegetables seasoned with paprika and other spices. Originating in Hungary, goulash is a common meal predominantly eaten in Central Europe but also in other parts of Europe. It is one of the national dishes of Hungary and a symbol of the country.

Is beef stroganoff the same as goulash? ›

Goulash is a stew, and stroganoff is a sauce

Stroganoff, on the other hand, is pan-fried on the stove and consists of steak, mushrooms, and onions that are tossed with a sauce made of brandy and sour cream. It's traditionally served over rice instead of noodles.

What do you serve goulash with? ›

Serve up a hearty goulash for the ultimate comforting stew on winter nights. Searching for the perfect accompaniment? Try mashed potato, dumplings or your favourite veg.

What is goulash called in America? ›

American goulash, sometimes called slumgullion, is an American comfort food dish, similar to American chop suey. American goulash is usually referred to in the midwestern and southern United States as simply "goulash".

What is a substitute for tomato paste in goulash? ›

Strain a can of diced tomatoes to remove excess liquid, then cook over medium heat until they've reduced by about half. Use two to three tablespoons of diced tomatoes for every tablespoon of paste called for in the recipe.

Does goulash contain tomatoes? ›

Boldly flavoured with stacks of paprika, lots of onion, garlic and capsicum/bell peppers, with fall apart hunks of beef. It's sort of a stew, sort of a soup. The broth is not supposed to be as thick as typical stews. It's naturally thickened slightly using fresh tomatoes that break down into the sauce.

How to thicken goulash? ›

Whisk a teaspoon of flour in a little cold water to make a slurry, then stir into the stew as it's cooking. Don't add dry flour directly to the stew as it may clump. After adding the slurry, bring the stew to boil. This will cook out the flour taste and allow the starch to swell.

What is the difference between spaghetti and goulash? ›

Now, what's the difference between American Goulash and spaghetti? American Goulash combines the meat sauce and noodles in one pot to cook together, while the meat sauce and noodles are cooked then served separately in spaghetti.

Is hamburger helper the same as goulash? ›

Hungarian goulash is a thick soup with meat and vegetables, usually seasoned with paprika. American goulash is very different. It generally has tomato sauce, macaroni and beef. It's almost like a homemade hamburger helper.

How to get goulash tender? ›

Choose marbled meat for your goulash, as it cooks very slowly, the fat will render down and give you a tender end result. Beef and veal are very popular, but you can also choose game, pork, or lamb. Lean meat is less suitable, as it will toughen up over the long cooking time.

How many different types of goulash are there? ›

As a result, there are countless goulash variations, such as pork goulash, and even goulash made with chicken or turkey. What is Goulash Soup? It's like goulash but with the consistency of soup instead of stew. You simply add more liquid (meat or chicken broth or water).

What's the difference between goulash and Johnny Marzetti? ›

This easy Johnny Marzetti recipe is similar to American goulash but with lots and lots of cheese. It is a comfort dinner recipe that is easy to prepare and so delicious.

What does Hungarian beef goulash taste like? ›

Hungarian goulash is very similar to beef stew, but there are some differences. While a typical stew consists of slow braising chunks of meat with root vegetables in a seasoned broth, goulash uses spices such as caraway, cumin, paprika, and peppers which really enhance and alter the flavor from a classic beef stew.

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