Hearty, delicious, and made in one pot. This homemade American Goulash is one of our go-to weeknight dinners. It's loaded with ground beef, macaroni noodles, and a flavorful tomato-based sauce, all simmered together in just 45 minutes. Less mess, less cleanup, and a comforting dinner that everyone loves!
I grew up eating this from-scratch dish, and it still reminds me of cozy family meals. I love that you can customize it-thrown-in veggies, swap the beef for sausage or chicken, or double it to freeze for later. Family-approved, freezer-friendly, and so adaptable!
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If you love comforting pasta dinners, you might also enjoy favorites like this One Pot Italian Sausage or this Easy Beef Stroganoff, perfect for busy weeknights.
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
- Ground Beef - Classic and flavorful. Swap with ground turkey, pork, or Italian sausage for a twist.
- Elbow Macaroni - Any small pasta shape works well.
- Tomato Sauce + Diced Tomatoes - Forms the rich, savory base.
- Onions & Garlic - Fresh adds the best flavor; use garlic and onion powder if needed.
Occasionally I will add diced carrots or english peas to the pot as it is cooking. Just to add a little extra vegetable to the dish. Garlic Bread is always a must have with this dish in my house. Everyone likes to soak up the flavorful tomato sauce with the bread. You can also serve it with cornbread or dinner rolls.
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If you tried this Goulash recipe or any other recipe on my blog, I'd love to hear from you! Leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the comment section below!
📖 Recipe
Goulash
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 cup onion small diced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 15 ounces diced tomatoes petite diced
- 15 ounces tomato sauce
- 2 ½ cups water
- 2 cups elbow macaroni noodles
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 teaspoon worcestershire sauce optional
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- In a large pot over medium heat, cook ground beef and diced onions until the beef is fully cooked. Drain off any grease, then add back to the pot over medium heat.
- Add in the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant. About 30 seconds.
- Add in the diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, Worcestershire sauce, water and all of the herbs and spices. Stir well to combine.
- Bring to boil and add in the noodles. Reduce to a simmer and cover. Cook for 20 to 30 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. Once the noodles are done, turn the heat off, remove the bay leaf and stir in the cheese. Adjust the seasonings if needed. Enjoy!
Notes
- Freeze it for later: Portion into freezer bags and lay flat. Thaw overnight for quick reheats.
- Add veggies on the go: Stir in carrots or peas for additional veggies.
- Serve it up: Garlic bread, cornbread, or dinner rolls are perfect for soaking up the sauce.
Storage Tip
This is a great dish for the freezer. Double the recipe, portion and freeze. I like to put the portions in freezer bags, spread it out and lay it flat in the freezer so that I can stack them to take up less space. This also helps with faster thawing.
Anonymous says
This is one of my family's favorite pasta recipes! I've made it so many times and they always gobble it up!
Sky Pilgreen says
That is so wonderful to hear!!
Jon says
Really good recipe. I added more cheese, because I love cheese!
Simply Scratch Made says
Thank you Jon, I'm happy to hear you liked it.
Erica says
This was so easy to make! I made garlic bread to go with it and everyone loved it!
Simply Scratch Made says
I love making garlic bread with goulash. I'm glad to hear you like it!