This easy goulash recipe is family-friendly comfort food at it’s best! It’s a one pot American classic made with beef and pasta simmered in a flavorful tomato sauce.

Side angle of a Dutch oven filled with cooked American goulash, showing beef, pasta, red peppers, and yellow corn.

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Easy American Goulash

This easy goulash recipe is a cozy, one-pot dinner that brings back the nostalgic weeknight flavors I grew up with. Made with ground beef, elbow noodles, and a savory tomato sauce, it’s the kind of hearty, budget-friendly comfort food the whole family loves.

Unlike Hungarian goulash, which is more of a paprik heavy beef stew, American goulash is quick, saucy, and perfect for busy nights. I love that everything cooks in a single pot so there’s no need to boil noodles separately.

If you enjoy easy dinners with minimal cleanup, this belongs on the list along with homemade hamburger helper, tater tot casserole and easy hamburger casserole. Quick to make, simple to clean up, and always a hit with kids.

Ingredient Notes

Labeled ingredients for American goulash arranged on a white surface, including ground beef, elbow noodles, tomatoes, corn, peppers, onions, and seasonings.

Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.

  • Ground beef: I like to use 80/20 lean ground beef.
  • Macaroni noodles: Other small noodles work like small shells or penne.
  • Beef broth: Vegetable or chicken broth work if that is what you have on hand.
  • Tomatoes: This recipes uses tomato sauce along with petite diced tomatoes.
  • Vegetables: I like to add in onion, red bell pepper and corn. If you like green peppers that can be used.
  • Seasonings: I use my homemade Italian seasoning but store-bought is fine.
  • Cheddar cheese: While optional, I always melt sharp cheddar cheese on top before serving.

How to Make Goulash

Brown the beef, onion and peppers in large pot or large Dutch oven over medium-high heat until brown. Drain any fat, then add in garlic, Italian seasoning, seasoned salt and Worcestershire sauce for flavor. Cook 1-2 more minutes.

Ground beef browning in a pot with chopped red bell peppers and onions during the first step of making goulash.

Stir in diced tomatoes, corn, broth and tomato sauce and bring to light simmer. Then add in uncooked elbow macaroni to the meat sauce, stir and cover with lid.

Overhead shot of dry elbow macaroni just added to a pot of simmering tomato broth, ready to cook.

Continue to cook for 10-12 minutes, stirring every few minutes to prevent sticking. Salt and pepper to taste then if desired, sprinkle with cheese and cover for about 1 minute, until cheese has melted. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley.

Hearty spoonful of American goulash in a white pot with beef, macaroni, tomatoes, and melted cheese in a savory sauce.

Tips and Variations

  • Use ground turkey or ground chicken in place of the ground beef. Try Italian sausage for a different flavor!
  • Additional vegetables like peas, green beans, shredded carrots, chopped celery or mushrooms can be added.
  • For some extra creaminess, add up to a cup of sour cream at the end.
  • If you like your American goulash recipe a little more of a soup consistency add an extra cup of broth, water, or tomato sauce.
  • Add a sprinkle of red pepper flakes for some heat or some smoked paprika for a little smoky flavor.
  • My Instant Pot goulash is an easier hands off way to make this dish.
Overhead view of a pot of goulash with a wooden spoon scooping up beef, macaroni, tomatoes, and corn in tomato sauce.

Goulash Serving Suggestions

This traditional goulash recipe is rich and hearty so I love to serve it with a chopped salad and artisan bread or garlic bread to soak up all the delicious sauce.

For a seasonal easy weeknight meal that is warm and comforting, my whole family loves when I add roasted vegetables and sweet cornbread.

Close-up of homemade American goulash in a white bowl with elbow noodles, ground beef, bell peppers, corn, and fresh parsley.

Need more comfort food dinners? Try this turkey sloppy joe recipe, one pot burrito bowls or million dollar spaghetti casserole.

More Comforting Dinner Recipes

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Goulash in a white pot with wooden spoon.

Easy Goulash Recipe

4.94 from 132 votes
Recipe by: Jamielyn Nye
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 8
This easy goulash recipe is family-friendly comfort food at it's best! It's a one pot American classic made with beef and pasta simmered in a flavorful tomato sauce.
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Video

Ingredients 

  • 1 pound lean ground beef
  • ½ cup chopped onion
  • 1 bell pepper , chopped
  • 2 teaspoons minced garlic
  • 1 ½ teaspoons seasoned salt , such as Lawry’s
  • 2 teaspoons  Italian seasoning , plus more to taste
  • 2 Tablespoons Worcestershire sauce , plus more to taste
  • 1 (15-ounce) can petite diced tomatoes
  • 1 cup frozen corn
  • 1 (15-ounce) can beef or chicken broth , add an extra cup if desired (see note)
  • 1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce
  • 1 ½ cups dry elbow noodles
  • Salt , plus more to taste
  • Ground black pepper , plus more to taste
  • Bay leaf , optional

For serving (optional): Shredded cheddar cheese and Fresh basil or parsley

Instructions

  • In a large pot, cook one pound ground beef, 1/2 cup onion, and 1 bell pepper over medium heat 3 to 5 minutes, or until brown. Drain any grease, if needed. Stir in 2 teaspoons garlic, 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning, 1 1/2 teaspoons seasoned salt, and 2 Tablespoons Worcestershire sauce. Let cook an additional 1 to 2 minutes.
  • Stir in 1 can diced tomatoes, 1 can tomato sauce, 1 cup corn, and 1 can broth. Season with salt and pepper. Add bay leaf, if desired. Bring to a light simmer and add 1 1/2 cups noodles. Stir and cover with a lid. Let cook 10 minutes, or until the noodles are tender, stirring halfway to prevent noodles from sticking.
  • Season to taste. Sprinkle cheese over top, if desired, and cover 1 minute, or until the cheese has melted. Add fresh basil or parsley, if desired. Serve while hot!

Last step: Please leave a comment and rating after you make the recipe.

Notes

Add-ins: It’s easy to add in extra veggies when cooking the onions. Sometimes I’ll add in chopped celery or mushrooms.
Storage: Place any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge up to 4 days. To reheat, simply microwave or heat on stove until warmed throughout.
Freezer instructions: Place any leftovers in a 8×8-inch metal tin and wrap with foil. When ready to eat, place in the refrigerator to thaw overnight and cook at 350°F for 30 to 45 minutes, or until hot. Top with cheese before baking.

Nutrition

Calories: 243kcal, Carbohydrates: 35g, Protein: 19g, Fat: 4g, Saturated Fat: 2g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 1g, Trans Fat: 0.2g, Cholesterol: 35mg, Sodium: 1036mg, Potassium: 746mg, Fiber: 4g, Sugar: 6g, Vitamin A: 820IU, Vitamin C: 30mg, Calcium: 69mg, Iron: 4mg

Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.

Storage

  • To store: Place any leftover goulash in an airtight container and store in the fridge for about 3 to 4 days.
  • To reheat: I love to place the leftovers in a small baking dish and sprinkle with cheese. Then bake at 350°F until hot and bubbly. You can also warm up in the microwave

FAQs

How can I make it more saucy?

If you prefer more liquid, add an extra cup of broth, water, or tomato sauce.

Can I make this in the crockpot?

Yes! Brown the ground beef first, then add it to your slow cooker with the other ingredients and stir. Cook on high for 1 to 2 hours or low for 3 to 4 hours.
Add the noodles during the last 30 minutes and cook until tender. Sprinkle cheese on top, cover for a minute to melt, then garnish with fresh basil if you like.

Can I make this into a freezer meal?

Yes, place in an 8×8″ metal tin and wrap with foil. Then place it inside a freezer bag and add a freezer meal label with the date. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight and then cook at 350°F for 30-45 minutes, or until hot. You could also top with more cheese before baking.