This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
Amercian Goulash is a delicious and easy one pot dinner recipe that combines ground beef with elbow macaroni, peppers, onions, tomatoes and tons of flavor!
This easy recipe is a family favorite in our house. The easiest way to describe it (according to my family) might be chili with pasta instead of beans, spaghetti with extra meat and not much sauce, or a homemade Hamburger Helper. Whatever you want to call it, this goulash is pure comfort food!
Granny’s Classic Amercian Goulash is one of those recipes that just tastes like home. It has a little bit of everything a satisfying meal should have – meat, carbs, veggies. This easy goulash recipe is the kind of meal you can make for your family for dinner and then then stuff into the kids thermos for their lunch the next day.
What is Goulash?
You either grew up eating goulash or you didn’t. Everyone pretty much falls into either of those categories.
Goulash is a stew with meat. The defining spice in traditional Hungarian Goulash, where the original recipe originated, is paprika.
This Goulash recipe has been completely Americanized. We’re talking ground beef, macaroni, a flavorful tomato sauce, and the convenience of the entire meal being made in one pot.
This meal is not only delicious and satisfying, it’s an easy dinner recipe that will save any busy extra curricular and homework filled weeknight.
How easy is it to make Goulash?
I’m not sure about traditional Hungarian Goulash, but this American Goulash is super simple to make. Since it is a one-pot recipe, the clean up ain’t too bad either!
This recipe starts by browning ground beef in a heavy bottom dutch oven. You can use a stockpot as well. You’ll add the onion and bell pepper to the ground beef and continue cooking until the meat is browned and crumbly and the vegetables are tender.
Next you’ll add all of the remaining ingredients except the macaroni. You don’t want to add the pasta this early. If you did, it would get super mushy. Let that wonderful stew simmer for a good 20 minutes to develop the flavor.
Finally, add the uncooked macaroni, cover, and simmer until the macaroni is tender. Give it a good stir and serve it up!
The best way to reheat it:
When I reheat dinners like this, I’ll either reheat them on the stove or in the microwave.
If you choose to reheat goulash on the stove, use a saucepan, cover, and heat on low. If your goulash looks like it could benefit from a bit of moisture, you can add a small amount of broth or even some pasta sauce.
If you reheat this goulash recipe in the microwave, I always recommend covering with a plate or paper towel (it will splatter) and heat on 50% power. The last thing you want to do is hit it full blast. Ground beef that’s been microwaved too long is just gross.
Love ground beef dinner recipes?
You’ll have to try these family friend ground beef recipes:
- Easy Sloppy Joes
- Sloppy Joe Casserole
- Cheeseburger Casserole
- Classic Meatloaf
- Classic Stuffed Peppers Recipe
Pin this now to save it for later
Pin ItGranny’s Classic Amercian Goulash
Video
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 large yellow onion diced
- 1 green bell pepper diced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 1/2 cups water
- 15 oz can tomato sauce
- 14.5 oz can diced tomatoes
- 4 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1 1/2 tbsp Worcestershire Sauce
- 1 tablespoon Hot Sauce
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 cup elbow macaroni uncooked
- 1 1/2 tsp kosher salt more if needed
- 1/2 tsp black pepper more if needed
Instructions
- Heat large Dutch oven over medium high heat. Add the 1 lb ground beef, and brown for 10 minutes, breaking up with the back of your wooden spoon as you stir. Add the 1 large yellow onion and 1 green bell pepper and continue to cook, while stirring, until tender, about 5 minutes.
- Add all the remaining ingredients (2 cloves garlic, 1 1/2 cups water, 15 oz can tomato sauce, 14.5 oz can diced tomatoes, 4 teaspoons Italian seasoning, 1 1/2 tbsp Worcestershire Sauce, 1 tablespoon Hot Sauce, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 1/2 tsp kosher salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper), except the 1 cup elbow macaroni, and cover with a lid, and simmer for 20 minutes.
- Stir in the macaroni, cover with the lid, and simmer for another 15-20 minutes until pasta is tender. Remove from heat
- Let mixture stand for 5 minutes before serving. Serve with a green salad and garnish with fresh parsley.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Your writing has a way of making even the mundane sound interesting. Kudos!
I doubled the noodles so it wasn’t as soupy but otherwise followed instructions. So good and full of flavor.
Have made this several times and have on occasion substituted the Hamburger with Sweet Italian Sausage and Fusilli (Spiral) Pasta for the Macaroni. Great either way and one of our favorites…
I made this tonight and it was excellent! I’m so glad that I doubled the recipe so that I could put some down in the freezer. I just didn’t add the noodles until I’m ready to take it out of the freezer. But what we had tonight was amazing. Thank you so much.
So glad you liked it!
Love this recipe,have made it several times.
This is fabulous !! Just like my mom used to make many years ago !!
You are right, Krissy, I am trying to watch my carbs in January, thank-you for spoiling that with this wonderful simple dish we can’t get enough of.
Really good! Only change I make is to cook the pasta separately as I make enough for several nights of leftovers. That way, the pasta stays al dente for each serving. Adjust water accordingly.
Used this recipe several times. I love it. Ty
I absolutely live this recipe. My family can’t get enough of it! It is even better than my childhood version