American Goulash Recipe (2024)

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 somecornbread or homemade biscuits for sopping up the sauce in the bottom of the bowl!

American Goulash Recipe (1)

What is Goulash?

American Goulash and Hungarian Goulash are two completely different dishes.

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.

The difference between Hungarian and American Goulash:

  • Hungarian Goulash, a robust beef and onion soup seasoned with Hungarian paprika and sometimes containing potatoes and/or carrots (more often made without vegetables though).
  • American Goulash is old-fashioned goodness. It’s a simple dish consisting of ground beef and elbow macaroni in a tomato-based sauce. It’s classic American comfort food that also goes by the name “slumgullion”, Hamburger Goulash, or “American chop suey” among many others!

American Goulash Recipe (2)

Why We Love This Dish

  • American goulash uses a few simple inexpensive ingredients, it’s a great way to feed a crowd.
  • It needs only one pot which means less mess and fewer dishes to wash!
  • It’s really easy to make and great for beginners, it’s cozy and tastes great!
  • This recipe can be stretched to feed a bigger crowd by adding extra pasta and sauce.
  • Double up the batch or freeze leftoversfor future meals.

American Goulash Recipe (3)

Goulash Ingredients

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.

Variations

  • Add some shredded carrots or red bell peppers for a bit of sweetness in the zesty sauce. Diced celery is great in this recipe too.
  • Stir in some Worcestershire sauce, a sprinkle of chili flakes.
  • Stretch out the meal with extra pasta (and water) or a can of drained kidney beans (or your favorite kind of beans).
  • Top it with cheese if desired.

American Goulash Recipe (4)

How to Make Goulash

It’s literally as easy as 1,2,3.

  1. Brown beef, onion, & garlic in a large pot or dutch oven.
  2. Add remaining ingredients except for pasta. Cover and simmer 15 minutes to thicken.
  3. Add pasta and simmer until tender.

Serve goulash with bread, or dinner rolls for dipping and dunking.

American Goulash Recipe (5)

Leftovers?

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.

American Goulash Recipe (6)

More Easy Ground Beef Pasta

  • Instant Pot Pasta Sauce
  • Easy Homemade Lasagna
  • Cheesy Skillet Lasagna
  • Easy Baked Mostaccioli
  • Crock Pot Spaghetti Sauce
  • Fusilli with Meat Sauce

Did your family love this American Goulash? Be sure to leave a rating and a comment below!

American Goulash Recipe (7)

4.97 from 647 votes↑ Click stars to rate now!
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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!

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ReviewPrint

American Goulash Recipe (8)

Prep Time 20 minutes minutes

Cook Time 50 minutes minutes

Total Time 1 hour hour 10 minutes minutes

American Goulash Recipe (9)

Servings 8 servings

American Goulash Recipe (10)

Author Holly Nilsson

Ingredients

  • 1 pound lean ground beef
  • 1 large yellow onion chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 cups marinara sauce or tomato-based pasta sauce, approx. ½ of a 26 oz jar
  • 2 cups beef broth or water (more as needed)
  • 14 ounces canned diced tomatoes undrained
  • 3 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 green bell pepper diced, optional
  • 1 ½ teaspoons Italian seasoning
  • 1 bay leaf 2 if they are small
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 ½ cups elbow macaroni noodles uncooked, about 8 oz
  • ½ cup cheddar or mozzarella cheese, shredded, optional

Instructions

  • In a large skillet with a lid or a Dutch oven, cook the ground beef, onion, and garlic over medium-high heat until no pink remains. Drain any fat.

  • Add the marinara sauce, broth, diced tomatoes with juices, tomato paste, bell pepper (if using), Italian seasoning, & bay leaves. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat.

  • Add the elbow macaroni, reduce the heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

  • Uncover and simmer for an additional 5 to 10 minutes or until the pasta is tender.

  • Remove & discard the bay leaf. Top with cheese if using, and replace the lid. Let rest for about 5 minutes or until the pasta has thickened and the cheese is melted.

Video

Notes

This recipe can easily be doubled to feed a crowd (serving sizes can be adjusted in the print screen).

For heartier appetites, the meal can be stretched with additional pasta (and water/broth), canned beans or chopped vegetables. (diced zucchini, sliced mushrooms, corn, or additional bell peppers). Any ground meat can be substituted for beef.

Start with the amount of broth/water as listed and add extra if needed (depending on pasta shape). The goulash will thicken as it cools and rests. Depending on the size and shape of your pan, you may need to add a little bit more liquid. Keep an eye on the dish as it cooks, and add more liquid as needed. The mixture will thicken slightly as it cools.

Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.

4.97 from 647 votes

Nutrition Information

Serving: 2cups | Calories: 217 | Carbohydrates: 24g | Protein: 21g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 47mg | Sodium: 562mg | Potassium: 812mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 587IU | Vitamin C: 23mg | Calcium: 59mg | Iron: 4mg

Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.

American Goulash Recipe (11) Course Beef, Dinner, Main Course, Pasta

American Goulash Recipe (12) Cuisine American

© SpendWithPennies.com. Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited. Please view my photo use policy here.

More Favorite Cozy Meals

  • CrockPot Goulash – super easy to make
  • Chicken Parmesan Casserole – quick take on an Italian favorite
  • Classic Stuffed Shells – filled with cheese and baked until bubbly
  • Baked Rigatoni Pasta – easy family favorite
  • Easy Lasagna – made in just one pot

Categories:

Beef, Main Dishes, Pasta and Pizza Recipes

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Holly is a wine and cheese lover, recipe creator, shopping enthusiast and self appointed foodie. Her greatest passion is creating in the kitchen and making deliciously comforting recipes for the everyday home cook!
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American Goulash Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between goulash and American Goulash? ›

Hungarian Goulash is a thick meat and vegetable stew with a broth that's heavily seasoned with paprika, while American Goulash is a quick dish made from ground beef, tomato sauce, herbs, and elbow macaroni noodles. It also goes by the name of American Chop Suey.

What is goulash sauce made of? ›

Sauce – This goulash recipe has a rich zesty tomato sauce. Use favorite jarred pasta or marinara sauce combined with a can of tomatoes. 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.

What do you eat with American Goulash? ›

The best side dishes to serve with American Goulash are crispy green beans, country gravy, mashed sweet potatoes, butternut squash, watermelon cucumber salad, caramelized carrots, Tabasco sauce, corn salsa, grilled asparagus, cornbread, roasted Brussels sprouts, cucumber salad, garlic bread, biscuits, and macaroni ...

What is goulash called in the South? ›

American goulash, sometimes called slumgullion, American Chop Suey, or even Beef-a-Roni, is an American comfort-food dish popular in the Midwest and South.

Why is American goulash so different? ›

American goulash is more of a pasta and ground beef dish

Owing more influence to Italian-American cuisine than Hungarian, paprika isn't even a consistent addition, per Syracruse.com. The nostalgic family meal is synonymous with American chop suey, another macaroni-based one-pot dish.

What is another name for American goulash? ›

American chop suey is an American pasta casserole made with ground beef, macaroni and a seasoned tomato sauce, found in the cuisine of New England and other regions of the United States. Outside New England it is sometimes called American goulash or Johnny Marzetti, among other names.

What are the two types of goulash? ›

There are two kinds of goulash: Hungarian goulash, which calls for the slow-simmered beef to be served alongside egg noodles, and American goulash, which pulls in ground beef and cooks the noodles in the pot alongside the sauce.

What is technically goulash? ›

Goulash (Hungarian: gulyás) is a soup or stew of meat and vegetables seasoned with paprika and other spices. Originating in Hungary, goulash is a common meal predominantly eaten in Central Europe but also in other parts of Europe. It is one of the national dishes of Hungary and a symbol of the country.

Can you use tomato paste instead of tomato sauce? ›

Substitute Tomato Paste For Tomato Sauce

If you have a can of tomato paste in your pantry, you are in luck—this is the best substitution for tomato sauce. All you need is the tomato paste and water. Mix together 1 part tomato paste and 1 part water until well blended. Then, season your "sauce" to taste.

How do you thicken goulash? ›

Whisk a teaspoon of flour in a little cold water to make a slurry, then stir into the stew as it's cooking. Don't add dry flour directly to the stew as it may clump. After adding the slurry, bring the stew to boil. This will cook out the flour taste and allow the starch to swell.

Why is it called American goulash? ›

American goulash is usually referred to in the midwestern and southern United States as simply "goulash". As a descendant, of sorts, of Hungarian goulash, the only real connection seems to be the name, and the inclusion of beef and paprika.

What's the difference between stroganoff and goulash? ›

Traditional goulash is a stew/soup, usually using a cheaper cut of meat suited to slow cooking. It usually contains potatoes and other vegetables, as well as noodles. A true stroganoff consists of paprika-dusted fillet steak quickly pan fried with mushrooms and onions in a sour cream and brandy sauce.

Do you eat the bread in goulash? ›

Real goulash has no tomato paste or beans. Eat with a slice of rustic bread. Dip bread in sauce and clean the plate with the bread at the end.

Do you eat goulash in a bowl? ›

Also, it's not typically served over mash like stews, it's served in bowls like soup.

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