This easy homemade goulash recipe is a family-favorite made in one pot with ground beef, noodles and a flavorful tomato sauce. It’s a classic comfort food dish ready in 30 minutes!
More one pot recipes that we love include homemade hamburger helper and easy hamburger casserole.
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American Goulash Recipe
This American goulash is easy to make in one pan for a quick 30-minute meal. It’s one of our favorite ground beef recipes and it tastes just like one my mom used to make. Salisbury steak was another childhood favorite.
Just like million dollar spaghetti casserole and tater tot casserole this easy goulash recipe is a budget-friendly classic! I love that you don’t have to cook the noodles in a separate pan like my spaghetti bolognese. These one pot burrito bowls are another simple one-pot dinner!
What is Goulash?
There are two types: Hungarian goulash and American goulash. Goulash originated in Hungary and is traditionally a hearty stew that consisted of cubes of meat, vegetables and spices (usually including paprika). The Hungarian version is definitely still loved by many, however this is an Americanized version.
American goulash has more of a tomato base and typically includes ground beef and macaroni noodles as well. My version of this recipe is considered an American goulash.
Key Ingredients
Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.
- Ground beef: This meat is the base of the recipe and adds great flavor to the dish. I like to use 80/20. You can substitute ground turkey if desired.
- Elbow macaroni noodles: If you don’t have these on hand you can use another small noodle like small shells or ditalini.
- Beef broth: You can also use a vegetable or chicken broth if that’s all you have on hand.
- Tomatoes: This recipes uses tomato sauce along with petite diced tomatoes.
- Vegetables: I like to add in onion, bell pepper and corn.
- Seasonings: Lots of great seasonings to add great flavor to this goulash recipe.
How to Make Goulash
- SAUTE. In a skillet cook the beef, onion and peppers in large pot or dutch oven until brown (about 3-5 minutes) over medium-high heat. Drain the grease, then add in garlic, Italian seasoning, seasoned salt and Worcestershire sauce. Cook for 1-2 more minutes.
- SIMMER. Stir in diced tomatoes, corn, broth and tomato sauce and bring to light simmer. Then add in noodles, stir and cover with lid.
- COOK. Continue to cook for 10-12 minutes, or until noodles are tender.
- TOP. Salt and pepper to taste. If desired, sprinkle with cheese and cover for about 1 minute, until cheese has melted. Then top with fresh basil or parsley.
TIP: Stir goulash every couple of minutes so that the noodles don’t stick!
Crockpot Version
You can easily make this recipe in the slow cooker if you prefer. I recommend cooking the ground beef ahead of time, then add all the ingredients to your crockpot and stir. Cook on high for 1 to 2 hours or low for 3 to 4.
Add the noodles the last 30 minutes of cooking and cook until noodles are tender. Remove lid and sprinkle on cheese. Cover with lid for about 1 minute, until cheese has melted. Then add fresh basil if desired and serve!
Tips and Variations
- Leaner: Use ground turkey in place of the ground beef to make this a leaner meal.
- Extra veggies: Peas, green beans, shredded carrots, or chopped celery or mushrooms can be added.
- Creamier: Add up to a cup of sour cream at the end.
- Soupy: If you would like it a little more of a soup consistency add an extra cup of broth, water, or tomato sauce.
- Heat: Add a sprinkle of chili flakes.
- Instant Pot goulash: An easier hands off way to make this favorite!
Storing + Freezing
- To store: Place any leftovers in an airtight container and store in the fridge for about 3 to 4 days. To reheat, simply microwave or heat on stove until warmed throughout.
- To freeze: Place in an 8×8″ metal tin and wrap with foil. Then place tin inside a ziptop bag and add a freezer label with the date. When ready to eat, place in the refrigerator to thaw overnight and then cook at 350°F for 30-45 minutes, or until hot. You could also top with more cheese before baking.
5 star review
“This is a recipe I’ve gone to several times. It is everything it promises, fast, easy, and delicious. Finally, if you don’t have something this recipe is forgiving and adapts easily to anything you have on hand. My picky family always gobbles it right up.”
-Leigh
Frequently Asked Questions
Classic American goulash is a main dish made of ground beef, onion, bell pepper, macaroni noodles, tomato sauce and seasonings.
I prefer to make it with ground beef, but you could also use ground turkey, ground chicken or ground sausage.
American goulash is made with ground beef where Hungarian goulash is made with beef cubes and simmered in a broth seasoned with paprika.
We love to serve this goulash recipe with a chopped salad and artisan bread or garlic bread. Another great side dish is roasted vegetables.
Yes, this dish is great made ahead of time. It also makes great leftovers. I love to place the leftovers in a small baking dish and sprinkle with cheese. Then bake at 350°F until hot and bubbly.
Need more comfort food dinners? Try this turkey sloppy joe recipe, beef stew or cabbage soup.
More Easy One-Pot Meals
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Easy Goulash Recipe
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 beef, onion, and pepper over medium heat 3 to 5 minutes, or until brown. Drain any grease, if needed. Stir in the garlic, Italian seasoning, seasoned salt, and Worcestershire sauce. Let cook an additional 1 to 2 minutes.
- Stir in diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, corn, and broth. Season with salt and pepper. Add bay leaf, if desired. Bring to a light simmer and add 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!
Notes
- If you prefer more liquid, add an extra cup of broth, water, or tomato sauce.
- Also, this recipe is easy to add in extra veggies when cooking the onions. Sometimes I’ll add in chopped celery or mushrooms.
Nutrition
Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.
Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below!
I made this tonight for dinner. I followed the recipe exactly and it was really delicious and easy! Even my husband who “ doesn’t care for goulash” enjoyed this recipe. Thanks for a great weeknight meal for a busy Mom!!
I’m so glad it was a hit, even for your husband! Thanks for your comment and review Christine! :)
Do you drain the diced tomatoes and the corn? I am guessing yes…
Hi Steph! I actually leave the juices so the noodles have enough liquid to cook! :)
I just had to comment because I have made goulash before (ok, let me say I have attempted to make goulash before) and it didn’t turn out as good as this recipe. Everyone loved it! Will definitely be making this again. Thanks!
I’m so glad everyone loved it. Love this comfort food!
This was an awesome recipe. I will be making this again.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it. It is a family staple! :)
Made this tonight for my family w/Elk meat. It was so good that when I got up from the dinner table, I made another pot for the rest of the week- or to freeze. It was fabulous! I didn’t use peppers (as I had none)- and added 3tsp of garlic, rather than 2. The first batch was pretty salty- so i omitted adding any extra salt beyond the season salt. I also used oregano, basil, garlic diced tomatoes. My husband and teenage boys were impressed and FULL!!
I’m so glad your family enjoyed this meal! Thanks for sharing your substitutions. Glad to know it is just as good with elk meat! :)
I loved this the first time I made it and I’m making it again tonight. I use ground turkey instead of hamburger and a can of rotel instead of tomatoes to add some bite. Thank you for such a simple and delicious recipe!
Thanks for sharing your substitutions! Glad you enjoyed this recipe. :)
I would like to try the crock pot as well. After browning the meat, should I add everything in the pot and cook on high for an hour? Cheese added after that? Also we have someone in our family who is allergic to bell peppers. What could I substitute? Thanks.
Yep! I would just leave the bell peppers out, you won’t be able to tell the difference! :)
Can this be done in a crock pot? If so, for what length of time?
Hi Tom! You could do this in the crockpot but I think it is easier just to do it on the stove since it only takes 30 minutes. If you would like to do it in the crockpot I would recommend cooking the ground beef ahead of time and then cooking in the crockpot for 1 hour on high. :)
This was awesome! I made a big batch for Halloween and it was gobbled up. I’ll definitely make again and can’t wait to check out more of your recipes!
I’m so glad it was a hit! Love this comfort dish. Thanks for stopping by Nikki! :)
EASY comfort food at its best. This looks totally delicious and I’d devour it if it were in front of me! Yum yum.
Definitely comfort food! My family loves this stuff!
Monday dinner idea solved. Thank you so much !
I made this last night and it was very easy and delicious. I left out the corn, due to dietary restrictions, but it was still very good. Thank you for the recipe.
I’m glad you liked it! It’s a staple in our house. :)
This sounds fabulous!
Thank you for the great recipe! We used ground bison meat instead of beef and frozen instead of canned corn. Turned out great!
Loved this! Made a pot for my husband and I for dinner tonight. I swapped chopped cauliflower for the corn and ground turkey for beef because that’s what we had on hand. It was delish! Thanks for the recipe!
I love simple meals and this one looks delicious. Can’t wait to try it!
Yum! My mom makes a goulash like this but with ground turkey instead of beef! Haha we call it piggy food in my family :D
Cute name! We love this one pot dish. It is ultimate comfort food! :)
You had me at “one pot”! Absolutely love simple yet delicious recipes like these, can’t wait to see more. Have a great week!