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An extreme close-up of hearty beef and macaroni goulash in a pot, highlighting the rich texture of the tomato sauce and tender pasta.

American Goulash Recipe (Classic & Easy Comfort Food)

This classic American Goulash Recipe is the ultimate one-pot comfort food! A hearty and easy meal made with ground beef, elbow macaroni, and a rich, savory tomato sauce that's ready in under an hour.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 450
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Goulash
  • 2 lbs lean ground beef 85/15 or 90/10
  • 1 large onion chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 32 oz beef broth
  • 28 oz canned crushed tomatoes
  • 15 oz canned diced tomatoes undrained
  • 15 oz canned tomato sauce
  • 2 tbsp paprika
  • 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
  • 2 tbsp soy sauce
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 16 oz uncooked elbow macaroni
  • 1 tsp salt or to taste
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper or to taste

Equipment

  • 1 Large Dutch oven or pot
  • 1 Wooden spoon

Method
 

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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

Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
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.