There are few dishes as comforting and satisfying as a classic American Goulash. This hearty, one-pot meal is a weeknight dinner champion, bringing together savory ground beef, tender macaroni, and a rich tomato-based sauce. If you’re searching for a simple, crowd-pleasing dish that the whole family will love, this easy American Goulash Recipe is exactly what you need. It’s a nostalgic meal that warms you from the inside out, perfect for chilly evenings or whenever you crave a taste of home.
What Makes This The Best American Goulash Recipe?
This isn’t just another recipe; it’s a foolproof guide to the perfect goulash. We focus on building deep, savory flavors at every step. By browning the beef properly and layering aromatics like onion and garlic, we create a robust base. The sauce is rich but balanced, and the pasta cooks directly in the pot, absorbing all that deliciousness while saving you from extra cleanup. It’s the ultimate comfort food, made incredibly simple.
What Is American Goulash?
It’s important to distinguish American Goulash from its Hungarian counterpart. While Hungarian goulash is a slow-cooked stew of meat and vegetables seasoned heavily with paprika, American Goulash is a simpler, quicker dish. It’s more of a pasta and meat sauce combination, often called “slumgullion” or “American Chop Suey” in different regions. It features ground beef, elbow macaroni, and a tomato sauce base, making it a distinctly American comfort food classic.
Key Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe uses simple, easy-to-find ingredients to create a truly memorable meal. Here’s what you’ll need to gather.
For the Goulash
- Ground Beef: Lean ground beef (85/15 or 90/10) works best to avoid excess grease.
- Onion & Garlic: These aromatics form the essential flavor base.
- Beef Broth: Adds depth and richness to the sauce.
- Canned Tomatoes: A combination of crushed tomatoes and diced tomatoes provides the perfect texture.
- Tomato Sauce: Enriches the tomato flavor and thickens the sauce.
- Seasonings: Paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper are key. A bay leaf adds a subtle background note.
- Soy Sauce: A secret ingredient that adds a wonderful umami depth.
- Elbow Macaroni: The classic pasta choice, but other small shapes work too.
Optional Garnishes
- Shredded Cheddar Cheese: Melts beautifully on top for a cheesy finish.
- Fresh Parsley: Adds a pop of color and freshness.
- A Dollop of Sour Cream: Provides a cool, tangy contrast.
How to Make American Goulash (Step-by-Step)
Making this one-pot wonder is incredibly straightforward. Follow these steps for perfect results.
- Brown the Beef: In a large Dutch oven or pot, cook the ground beef over medium-high heat until browned. Break it apart with a spoon as it cooks. Drain off any excess fat.
- Sauté Aromatics: Add the chopped onion to the pot and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Build the Sauce: Stir in the beef broth, crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, paprika, Italian seasoning, soy sauce, and the bay leaf. Season with salt and pepper. Bring the mixture to a simmer.
- Cook the Pasta: Stir in the uncooked elbow macaroni. Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until the pasta is tender, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Finish and Serve: Once the pasta is cooked through, remove the bay leaf. Taste and adjust seasonings if necessary. Serve hot, topped with your favorite garnishes.
Tips for the Perfect Goulash
Want to elevate your goulash? Here are a few expert tips.
- Don’t Rush the Browning: Getting a good brown crust on the beef develops a huge amount of flavor.
- Toast Your Spices: Add the paprika and Italian seasoning with the garlic to wake them up and deepen their flavor.
- Control the Simmer: Keep the heat low and gentle while the pasta cooks to prevent the bottom from scorching.
- Make it Cheesy: For an extra decadent dish, stir in a cup of shredded cheddar or Colby cheese at the end until it’s melted and gooey. For other cheesy ground beef ideas, you might love this Bacon Cheeseburger Lasagna.
Serving Suggestions
This American Goulash Recipe is a complete meal on its own, but it pairs wonderfully with a few simple sides. A crisp green salad, some crusty garlic bread for dipping, or steamed green beans are all excellent choices. If you enjoy one-pot beef and pasta dishes, our One-Pot Beefaroni is another must-try.
Storage, Freezing, and Reheating Instructions
- Storage: Store leftover goulash in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Freezing: Goulash freezes exceptionally well. Let it cool completely, then transfer to a freezer-safe container or zip-top bag. It will keep for up to 3 months.
- Reheating: Reheat on the stovetop over low heat, adding a splash of beef broth or water to loosen the sauce as it warms up. You can also reheat it in the microwave.
Love a good casserole? Our Hamburger Green Bean Casserole is another comforting classic perfect for making ahead.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! For a delicious cheesy version, you can stir in 1-2 cups of shredded cheddar, Colby, or Monterey Jack cheese at the very end of cooking until it’s melted and gooey. You can also simply sprinkle it on top when serving.
Absolutely! While elbow macaroni is classic, you can substitute any small to medium pasta shape. Shells, rotini, or ziti would all work well. You may just need to adjust the cooking time slightly.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat, adding a splash of water or beef broth to loosen the sauce. It also reheats well in the microwave.
American Goulash is a pasta and ground beef dish with a tomato-based sauce, similar to American Chop Suey. Hungarian Goulash is a slow-cooked stew made with chunks of beef, vegetables like bell peppers, and a large amount of paprika.
Goulash is a hearty meal on its own, but it pairs wonderfully with crusty garlic bread, a simple green salad with vinaigrette, or steamed green beans.
The Easiest American Goulash Recipe
American Goulash Recipe (Classic & Easy Comfort Food)
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- In a large Dutch oven or pot, cook the ground beef over medium-high heat until browned. Break it apart with a spoon as it cooks. Drain off any excess fat.
- Add the chopped onion to the pot and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Stir in the beef broth, crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, paprika, Italian seasoning, soy sauce, and the bay leaf. Season with salt and pepper. Bring the mixture to a simmer.
- Stir in the uncooked elbow macaroni. Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until the pasta is tender, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Once the pasta is cooked through, remove the bay leaf. Taste and adjust seasonings if necessary. Serve hot, topped with shredded cheese or fresh parsley if desired.
Notes
Freezing: Cool completely and store in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.
Make it Cheesy: Stir in 1-2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese at the end until melted for an extra cheesy version.
Share This Classic Comfort Food!
We hope you love this classic American Goulash Recipe as much as we do! It’s a true taste of home that’s perfect for any night of the week. If you make it, we’d love for you to leave a comment below and share it on Pinterest for others to enjoy!
