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.
Table of Contents
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!
It really is so easy! But also, delicious!
Doesn’t tell you how much of any ingredients to use in any of the recipes 🤷♀️
Hi Peggy! We have a printable recipe card with the ingredients towards the bottom of our posts. Enjoy!
My husband loves this and talks about how great it is even between the time we have it and the next!
thank you for making my childhood recipes come back to life.
I’m so happy to hear he loves it! Thank you for your comment and review Denise! :)
If you freeze the goulash in the tin pan covered with foil, should it be baked covered or not covered? Thanks.
I bake it covered! :)
It is delicious!!! I used chicken broth because I used lean ground turkey and you honestly couldn’t tell the difference by the time it all “married” ! I did pre-cook my pasta and added it five minutes before serving along with shredded Parmesan so it had a cheesy texture😋
Corn was served on the side…highly recommend this dish, the beauty of it, the basics from scratch are there and they are awesome 👏🏻
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for sharing your experience!
Favorite goulash recipe! Most don’t have enough flavor and depth!! And I didn’t even the right bell peppers and it was still perfect!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
My Husband and I had American Goulash. So easy to make we both love it . Delish 😋 Thank you Denise & Reggie
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! :)
Loved it
Hi there
Would like to try your American goulash recipe with the elbow noodles but while it gives all the ingredients, it says nothing about quantities?? Please can you tell me the quantities of everything that is required? Also – fresh diced tomatoes or diced tomatoes in a tin?
Hi! If you scroll down to the recipe it will have all the ingredients, amounts and instructions listed.
Wonderfully tasty and SO easy! Made this twice already, just as written. We prefer mozzarella and parmesan over your suggestion of cheddar. Served with a salad and crusty, toasted baguette. This recipe will go into my regular rotation. Thanks for the post!!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for your comment Renee. :)
Very good. My 15 month old is a picky eater and he ate 2 bowls while saying “yum” after each bite. Only downfall was the pasta got too mushy. How does one ensure noodles don’t get too soft?
I’m glad it was a hit with your picky eater! I would just test the noodles after 8 minutes and cook until they are the right consistency for you. :)
Easy to make and soooo delish, thanks so much!!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! :)
Delicious and super easy to make. Exactly how I like food to be.
So glad to hear you enjoyed it! :)
This recipe will came out perfect! I was hesitant to use the corn, I only used half of the can. The corn make a sweet burst of flavor against the savory salty flavors. I will make this again!
I’m glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for leaving a comment and review! :)
Good!
I’m happy that you recognised that this is American and not real goulash. It looks good enough but I remember my grandmother back in the old country making authentic Madarsko Goulash. Now that stuff is authentic. I can’t compare anything called “goulash” to real goulash but I’m still willing to give this a try. Who knows, I might like this.
Made it tonight. I live alone and was tired of eating the same old thing. This recipe is definitely a keeper. I didn’t have the soy sauce, but the flavor was fine without it.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! :)
Made it and ate it. Good recipe. Didn’t have any bell peppers, so I used string beans. Tossed in a bit of hot smoked paprika. Deluxe. It is “goulash” after all. Which to me, means anything you have in the fridge.
I’m glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for leaving a comment! :)