Easy American Goulash Recipe

Enjoy this Easy American Goulash Recipe, a 30-minute meal with seasoned ground beef, robust vegetables, elbow macaroni, and tomato sauce, topped off with a sprinkle of parmesan cheese.

Why We Love This Goulash Recipe

• Classic Comfort: Ground beef and pasta create a timeless meal the whole family will love.
• One-Pot Wonder: Easy to make in a single pot, simplifying cooking and cleanup.
• Versatile: Swap beef with pork or turkey to suit your preference.
• Perfect Standalone or Pairing: Satisfying on its own, yet pairs well with other side dishes like salads and veggies.

What Is American Goulash?

First, American Goulash and Hungarian Goulash are distinctly different dishes. While both feature beef, onions, and paprika, Hungarian goulash is a soupier recipe, whereas American goulash, with the addition of macaroni and tomatoes, resembles more of a pasta dish. Both varieties are delicious in their own right.

Recipe Ingredients

• Extra Virgin Olive Oil: This can be substituted with any vegetable oil or butter for sautéing.
• Yellow Onion: White onions can be used.
• Lean Ground Beef: Ground turkey, chicken, or plant-based meat alternatives are suitable substitutes.
• Garlic, Minced: Garlic powder or jarred minced garlic can be used if fresh is unavailable.
• Paprika: Smoked paprika or chili powder can provide a similar flavor profile.
• Dried Oregano: Dried basil or Italian seasoning can be used as an alternative.
• Salt: Any table salt or sea salt will do.
• Ground Black Pepper: Freshly cracked or pre-ground black pepper works.
• Canned Diced Tomatoes, Undrained: Fresh diced tomatoes or tomato puree can be used with slight texture variations.
• Tomato Sauce: Tomato paste diluted with water, or canned crushed tomatoes can substitute.
• Beef Broth: Chicken or vegetable broth are good alternatives.
• Elbow Macaroni: Any small pasta shape works, or use a gluten-free pasta for dietary needs.
• Grated Parmesan Cheese: Grated Romano or Asiago cheese can be used for a similar cheesy flavor.

How to Make American Goulash

1. Heat Oil & Cook the Onions: Drizzle the olive oil into a large saucepan or dutch oven over medium heat. Coarsely chop the onion and add it to the pan. Sauté for 1 minute.
2. Add Beef: Add the ground beef, gently breaking it up with a spatula or wooden spoon. Cook for roughly 5 minutes, or until the beef is browned and no longer pink.
3. Stir in Spices: Add the minced garlic, paprika, oregano, salt, and pepper. Stir to disperse evenly.
4. Add Tomatoes, Sauce & Broth: Add the canned tomatoes, tomato sauce and beef broth. Cover and bring to a boil. Once boiling, reduce to a simmer for 4 minutes.
5. Add Macaroni: Add the elbow macaroni noodles and cook, uncovered, for 8 minutes or until the noodles reach your desired tenderness.
6. Cover & Let Stand: Remove your saucepan from the heat and sprinkle the goulash with parmesan cheese. Cover it and let it stand for roughly 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy!

Tips for Success

• Simmer Sauce to Thicken: For a thicker beef sauce, simmer it for 4 minutes before adding the macaroni, or reduce simmer time for a more liquid sauce and add macaroni earlier.
• Season to Taste: Before you add in the noodles, taste your sauce to make sure you’re satisfied with the flavor.
• Pasta Options: If you don’t have elbow macaroni on hand, you can use another small pasta noodle. Use gluten-free pasta if needed.
• Add More Cheese: Feel free to use as much cheese on top of this pasta as you’d like. You could use another kind of cheese, like cheddar, too.

Serving Suggestions

This goulash is a full meal on its own, but it’s also easy to pair with this simple Cucumber Salad with Sour Cream Dressing or a big pan of Oven Roasted Vegetables or Romano Beans. One of these soft and fluffy No-Knead Dinner Rolls or Homemade Biscuits would be a delicious and classic accompaniment.

How to Store and Reheat Leftovers

• Leftover goulash should be stored in an airtight container once it has cooled completely. Keep it refrigerated for 3 to 4 days.
• If you know you want to freeze your goulash, hold off on adding the pasta. Instead, you should remove it from the heat after the sauce has simmered, let the sauce cool completely, and then freeze it in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Make the macaroni before you want to serve it.
• Reheat individual portions on the stovetop or in the microwave.

More Pasta Dinner Ideas

• Creamy Shrimp Alfredo Pasta
• One Pot Jambalaya Pasta
• Lasagna Stuffed Pasta Shells
• Seafood Mac And Cheese
• Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta