This easy American Goulash recipe is full of hearty ingredients that will warm you from the inside out.
Simple ingredients like ground beef (hamburger meat), canned tomatoes, elbow macaroni, and onions are all cooked in one pot for an easy hearty meal.
It’s packed with zesty flavor and the perfect way to feed a crowd on a budget! Serve it alongside some cornbread or homemade biscuits for sopping up the sauce in the bottom of the bowl!
American Goulash is not the same thing as goulash in other parts of the world. Like many dishes that have the same name (like dumplings for example) the ingredients and preparation are different.
GROUND BEEF: Ground beef (or hamburger meat) gives this dish its base and adds lots of flavors, Italian sausage can be substituted for the beef for extra flavor.
ELBOW MACARONI: Use whatever pasta is on hand! Elbow, small shells, bowties, or ditalini all work well.
SAUCE: Goulash has a rich zesty tomato sauce! Use your favorite jarred pasta or marinara sauce combined with a can of tomatoes (and juice!). We add water to cook the pasta but you can use beef broth in place.
The sauce is seasoned with tomato paste and Italian Seasoning for an extra boost of flavor.
Keep leftover American goulash in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat on the stove before serving. Freeze chilled portions in zippered bags with the date labeled on the outside for up to 4 weeks. Thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.
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Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
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American Goulash
Goulash is a simple skillet dinner with tomatoes, beef, and macaroni noodles in a zesty tomato sauce. It’s a perfect comfort food on a budget!
Prep: 20min
Total: 60min
Yield: 8
Serving Size: 2 cups
Nutrition Facts: calories 217 kcal, Carbohydrate 24 g, Protein 21 g, Fat 4 g, Saturated Fat 2 g, Cholesterol 47 mg, Sodium 562 mg, Fiber 3 g, Sugar 7 g, servingSize 2 cups, Trans Fat 1 g, unSaturated Fat 3 g
Ingredients:
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 large onion (chopped)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 2 cups marinara or tomato-based pasta sauce (approx. ½ of a 26 oz jar)
- 1 ¾ cups beef broth or water (or as needed)
- 14.5 ounces canned diced tomatoes (with juices)
- 3 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 green bell pepper (diced, optional)
- 1 ½ teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1 bay leaves (2 if they are small)
- salt & black pepper to taste
- 1 ¼ cup elbow macaroni noodles (uncooked)
- ½ cup cheddar (or mozzarella cheese, shredded, optional)
Instruction:
- Cook ground beef, onion and garlic over medium high heat until no pink remains. Drain any fat.
- Add water, pasta sauce, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, green peppers (if using), seasonings, & bay leaves. Simmer, covered, for 15 minutes.
- Add in the elbow macaroni and continue to simmer, covered, stirring occasionally, until pasta is tender (about 20 minutes).
- Remove & discard bay leaves. Top with cheese if using and replace the lid. Let rest about 5 minutes or until cheese is melted.
American Goulash (One-Pot Beef & Macaroni) – Food Wishes
FAQ
Why is American goulash so different?
Chunks of beef or pork are replaced by ground meat, drowned in a tomato sauce over macaroni. Owing more influence to Italian-American cuisine than Hungarian, paprika isn’t even a consistent addition, per Syracruse.com.
What is the difference between American goulash and Hungarian Goulash?
What makes something a goulash?
What is another name for American goulash?
