This easy one-pot meal is a cozy comfort food your family will devour. I love making this on cold nights when we need something warm and filling.
Recipe Overview
Cozy Comfort Food: Packed with tender pasta, savory hamburger meat, and a flavorful sauce, Simple American Goulash is the perfect cozy meal. It's best enjoyed with a blanket on the couch while watching your favorite TV show.
How Long Does It Takes?: About 10 minutes to cut the veggies, 10 minutes to cook the ground beef, 20 minutes for the sauce to simmer, 15 minutes to cook the pasta, and 5 minutes for finishing touches. In all, about 60 minutes.
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Ingredients & Substitutions
- Lean Ground Beef: I recommend using 90% ground beef, so you won't have to drain any excess grease, making this recipe that much easier.
- Garlic: Use two minced garlic cloves or ¾ teaspoon of garlic powder.
- Beef Broth: You can use beef broth, chicken broth, or vegetable broth.
- Tomato Sauce & Petite Diced Tomatoes: The combination of the two gives the pasta a great creamy, chunky texture.
- Elbow Macaroni Noodles: Macaroni is traditionally used in American Goulash, but you can use any short pasta you have on hand. If you do use another noodle you may need to adjust the cooking time.
- Italian Seasoning & Paprika: Italian seasoning is a traditional flavor for American goulash and paprika is traditional for Hungarian goulash.
- Cheddar Cheese: I went a little light with 1 cup of the cheese; you can add ¼ to ½ cup more if you like your goulash cheesy; you can also leave it out entirely.
How to Make American Goulash
Step 1 | Cook the Beef & Veggies
Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Cook onions, peppers, and ground beef. Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
Step 2 | Simmer Sauce
Add broth, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, Worcestershire, and seasonings. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes.
Step 3 | Add Pasta
Stir in uncooked macaroni. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 12-15 minutes until pasta is tender.
Step 4 | Finish & Serve
Remove bay leaves, stir in cheddar cheese, and season to taste.
What To Do With Leftovers
Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days. The pasta might absorb more liquid, so add a splash of broth or water when reheating.
Freezer: This recipe freezes well. Store in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
What to Serve With Goulash
- Texas Toast Garlic Bread - Perfect for soaking up that delicious sauce!
- Simple Green Salad - Adds a fresh contrast to the hearty pasta.
- Corn on the Cob - A classic pairing that that family will love.
Common Questions
If the noodles are done cooking and there is still too much liquid-let the goulash simmer uncovered to evaporate some of the excess liquid. You can also mix a teaspoon of cornstarch with a teaspoon of water and stir it in.
American Goulash is a one-pot dish made with ground beef, pasta, and a tomato-based sauce. Hungarian Goulash is more of a stew with chunks of meat, vegetables, and a paprika seasoned broth. American Goulash is thicker and milder, and Hungarian Goulash is soupier.
Tips & Tricks
- Stir every 5 minutes while the pasta cooks to prevent sticking.
- If the sauce looks dry, add ¼ cup beef broth or water.
- The consistency should be hearty and slightly saucy-not overly thick like a casserole but not runny like a soup. The cheese will help thicken it.
- Use a large pot! This recipe makes quite a bit.
Tried this recipe? Let everyone know how it turned out! Your feedback and tips help others decide if they should make it.
Nostalgic American Goulash
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium onion diced
- 1 green bell pepper diced
- 1 lb. ground beef 90% lean
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- 2 ½ cups beef broth
- 1 15-oz can tomato sauce
- 1 15-oz can petite diced tomatoes don't drain
- 1 ½ cup macaroni noodles uncooked
- 2 tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce
- 1 tablespoon Italian Seasoning
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large pot or skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add diced onion, bell pepper, and ground beef. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the beef is browned and no longer pink.
- Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds, stirring until fragrant.
- Pour in the beef broth, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes (with their juice), Worcestershire sauce, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and pepper. Stir well and bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it simmer for 20 minutes.
- Turn the heat back up to medium-high. Add the uncooked macaroni noodles to the pot. Cook for 10-12 minutes or until the pasta is al dente and the sauce thickens. Stir occasionally to prevent the pasta from sticking to the bottom.
- Remove the bay leaves. Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese until melted and well combined. Taste and adjust salt and pepper if needed.*
- Serve warm, garnished with additional cheese or fresh herbs if desired.
Notes
Nutrition
The nutritional information provided is an estimate and may vary based on the ingredients used.
Jerry says
You did good girl, reminded me of home, 70 years ago when I was a kid. Thanks
Melanie says
Omitted the bell pepper & Westerchire, just bc I didn't have any. Otherwise, followed the recipe (well...I added fresh spinach too😬)! It was delicious 😋
SBrabford says
Reminds me of my childhood. Kids loved it too!