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    Home » Main » Easy Old Fashioned Goulash Recipe

    Easy Old Fashioned Goulash Recipe

    Published: Aug 26, 2021 by Megan Porta · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video

    This easy old fashioned goulash recipe is the ultimate one-pot comfort food, packed with rich flavor and nostalgic charm. Perfect for busy weeknights or feeding a crowd, it’s a hearty and satisfying dish that always gets rave reviews. Once you try it, you’ll see why it’s a go-to favorite for breakfast, lunch, and dinner!

    Hands holding a large pan filled with goulash.

    Original recipe: December 2016 | Updated: August 2021

    Why This American Goulash Recipe Works

    • This is the best goulash recipe (aka American Chop Suey) you will ever taste. 
    • I’ve made this easy dinner recipe more than a hundred times and it has never failed me.
    • This ultimate comfort food is a ONE POT meal! Dump everything in and just let it cook for a super easy dinner tonight the whole family will love. 
    • It’s an all-time favorite nostalgic recipe that I literally cannot control myself around. When it is in the fridge, I eat it for breakfast, lunch and dinner until it is totally gone.
    • One of the easiest, most delicious and hearty comfort food recipes I make consistently. 
    • This easy old-fashioned goulash recipe is jam-packed with flavor and texture.
    • I make this dish both for intimate family dinners and also for large gatherings. No matter the crowd, it is always a big hit. 
    • If you have an Instant Pot, give my super easy Instant Pot Goulash a try!

    Goulash Ingredients

    Ingredients for goulash sitting on a white counter.

    Ground beef – Replace the ground beef (or a portion of it) with ground pork for an added kick of flavor. For a healthier version of this comforting meal, replace the beef with lean ground beef, ground turkey or ground chicken.

    Onion – Yellow onions or white onions will be your best options for bringing out the flavors in the dish.

    Garlic – Use fresh minced. Replace with 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder in a pinch.

    Diced tomatoes – Do not drain the tomatoes! Also, consider using a variety with added herbs and flavors.

    Tomato sauce – If you have time for it, you will be happy with the boost of flavor that homemade tomato sauce offers. This rich tomato-based sauce is hard to beat.

    Water – Replace all or a portion of the water in the recipe with low sodium beef broth for an even more flavorful meal.

    Worcestershire sauce – This sauce is one of my little secret ingredients for this recipe. A little goes a long way!

    Seasoned salt and Italian seasoning – Don’t skip either of these seasonings! They add the perfect flavor to the dish. 

    Elbow macaroni noodles – A different variety of small pasta can be used in this recipe, such as penne or rotini.

    Delicious pot filled with cooked ground beef and pasta.

    What Is Goulash?

    Goulash? Gulach? Goolash? Ghoulash? What the heck does this funny word even mean? First of all, American and Hungarian Goulash are two entirely different dinner recipes. 

    Based on this recipe from Taste of Home here are the ingredients you’ll find in the Hungarian version that you will not find in the Americanized version: carrots, green peppers, stew meat (in place of ground beef), beef broth, paprika, caraway seeds and sour cream.

    Keep reading for details about the American version of the delish one-pot dinner detailed in this post.

    As for the goulash origin, it stems from the Hungarian word “Gulyás” which is defined as “cowboy.” Hungarian cowboys butchered the weakest cattle and made easy meals out of their meat. Hence, the word!

    Are Goulash and Spaghetti the Same

    Goulash and spaghetti contain similar ingredients. When making spaghetti, the pasta and sauce are cooked separately and combined just before serving. Goulash is typically made in a single pot.

    How To Make This Easy American Goulash Recipe

    Step 1

    Cook 2 pounds of ground beef in large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat on the stove top until no longer pink. Drain the grease from the pan. Add 1 yellow onion and 3 cloves of minced garlic and cook until onions are translucent.

    Ground beef, onions and garlic in a Dutch oven.

    The onions and garlic will be nice and fragrant, as well (I love the smell of sauteed garlic).

    Step 2

    Add the remaining ingredients to the ground beef onion mixture and stir.

    Tomato sauce, tomatoes, pasta and seasonings in a Dutch oven, ready to stir and cook.

    Bring to a boil over medium high heat.

    Step 3

    Simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is tender. Remove from heat and serve to hungry tummies!

    Recipe Notes

    • Sprinkle sharp cheddar cheese or Parmesan over the top just before serving for an extra cheesy version of this dish. 
    • Garnish with fresh parsley, oregano or basil and top with a sprinkling of black pepper or red pepper flakes.
    • Add 2 bay leaves and/or a splash of red wine to the pot before cooking for extra flavor. 
    • Include a small can of tomato paste into the meat sauce for a robust tomato flavor.
    • Add chopped green bell peppers to the onion mixture for added texture and flavor. Red, yellow, orange or green peppers would all taste great.
    • Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese over the top just before serving.
    • Leftover goulash is delicious! This hearty ground beef recipe makes a large batch, but you can easily reheat throughout the week.

    Pure Comfort Food Recipes

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    • Homemade Hamburger Helper
    • Crab Soup

    What To Serve With Goulash

    The great thing about this one-pot meal is that everything is wrapped into a single pot. If you’re looking for something extra to serve alongside this American comfort food, consider any of the following:

    • A delicious chopped salad complements the dish perfectly. 
    • You can’t go wrong with garlic bread.
    • Any side of vegetables would go great with it. Steamed broccoli, green beans or cauliflower or sauteed zucchini or mushrooms. Asparagus and Brussels sprouts would be great, too! 
    • Add a giant heaping spoonful of goulash over a baked potato. 
    • Roasted or grilled tomatoes would taste amazing with this dish and would complement the tomatoes in the recipe even more.

    How Long Does Goulash Last in the Fridge

    Cooked and cooled beef goulash, when stored in an airtight container, will last in the fridge for up to 5 days.

    How To Freeze Goulash

    Goulash freezes fairly well, with the pasta losing some of its firmness after it has been thawed. When preparing a big batch of goulash to freeze, consider cooking the pasta separately and adding it to the recipe just before serving. 

    Place in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 6 months for best results. When ready to thaw, allow it to sit in the fridge over night.

    Bowl of goulash with a fork stuck into it.

    Make Hamburger Goulash in an Instant Pot

    Make this comforting meal in your Instant Pot! Instant Pot goulash could not be easier or more delicious. It cooks perfectly every time and is done in only 30 minutes. Perfect easy dinner any night of the week!

    Make Goulash in a Slow Cooker

    This slow cooker goulash recipe is a delicious, filling and hearty meal that is super easy to prepare in your crockpot. Requiring mere minutes of prep time and a few simple ingredients, crockpot goulash is the perfect family meal for a busy night!

    Make Your Own Tomato Sauce

    To add an extra touch of flavor to this meal, consider making your own tomato sauce! Homemade Tomato Sauce is SO easy to make and the flavor is out of this world.onths for best results. When ready to thaw, allow it to sit in the fridge over night.

    What People Are Saying About This Easy Goulash Recipe

    My family loved this meal. I did cook the noodles separate and added at the end after simmering everything else. I used roasted tomato and garlic diced tomatoes. Will absolutely make again. Thank you for the recipe. – Kelly

    This rekinds me of my childhood. I usually use my garden stewed tomatoes which have onion, bell pepper and celery. If not, I make sure to add celery when the onion is added. Also, beef better than bouillon works nicely inplace of the broth. Bay leaf is another good flavor inhancer. I like the one pot method. – Lisa

    Hands down one of my favorite recipes. I make it at least once a month but I cut everything in half because it does make a huge pot of food. I also substitute ground sausage for the beef. But again….amazing recipe. – Lily

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    If you make this recipe and love it, stop back and give it a 5-star rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and leave a comment. THANK YOU!

    Easy Old Fashioned Goulash Recipe

    This easy old fashioned goulash recipe is the ultimate one-pot comfort food, packed with rich flavor and nostalgic charm. Perfect for busy weeknights or feeding a crowd, it's a hearty and satisfying dish that always gets rave reviews. Once you try it, you'll see why it's a go-to favorite for breakfast, lunch, and dinner!
    4.91 from 107 votes
    Prevent your screen from going dark
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 30 minutes minutes
    Servings: 8
    Calories: 554kcal
    Author: Megan Porta

    Ingredients

    • 2 lbs ground beef
    • 1 yellow onion chopped
    • 3 cloves garlic minced
    • 30 oz diced tomatoes undrained
    • 30 oz tomato sauce
    • 3 cups water
    • 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
    • 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
    • 2 tsp seasoned salt
    • 16 oz elbow macaroni

    Instructions

    • In a Dutch oven or large saucepan, cook ground beef over medium heat until no longer pink. Drain grease. Add onion and garlic and cook for 3 minutes, or until soft and fragrant.
    • Add diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, water, Worcestershire sauce, Italian seasoning, seasoned salt and elbow macaroni to the pan. Mix well and bring to a boil. Reduce to medium-low heat, cover pan and simmer for 25-30 minutes or until pasta is cooked through.
    • Remove from heat and serve immediately!

    Video

    Notes

    • Sprinkle sharp cheddar cheese or Parmesan over the top just before serving for an extra cheesy version of this dish. 
    • Garnish with fresh parsley, oregano or basil and top with a sprinkling of black pepper or red pepper flakes.
    • Add 2 bay leaves and/or a splash of red wine to the pot before cooking for extra flavor. 
    • Include a small can of tomato paste into the meat sauce for a robust tomato flavor.
    • Add chopped green bell peppers to the onion mixture for added texture and flavor. Red, yellow, orange or green peppers would all taste great.
    • Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese over the top just before serving.
    • Leftover goulash is delicious! This hearty ground beef recipe makes a large batch, but you can easily reheat throughout the week.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 554kcal | Carbohydrates: 55g | Protein: 29g | Fat: 24g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 10g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 81mg | Sodium: 1275mg | Potassium: 1051mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 599IU | Vitamin C: 19mg | Calcium: 102mg | Iron: 6mg
    Did you make this recipe?If you loved this recipe, please rate the recipe and leave a comment below!
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Angie Smith

      March 15, 2025 at 6:20 pm

      Very good and easy to make. Definitely the closest to my Mom’s than I’ve ever found before. I will not add the Italian seasoning next time. We have never been a big fan of it but I followed the recipe this time. I did add about a cup of diluted ketchup, it adds a sweet flavor.

      Reply
      • Megan Porta

        March 17, 2025 at 9:49 am

        Sounds so good, Angie! Thanks for letting me know.

        Reply
    2. Kelley

      March 10, 2025 at 6:22 pm

      4 stars
      I used fired roasted diced tomatoes in the recipe and it was delicious!

      Reply
      • Megan Porta

        March 17, 2025 at 9:53 am

        Awesome, Kelley! Thanks for sharing.

        Reply
    3. Jks

      October 08, 2024 at 3:47 pm

      5 stars
      Best ever! I love this recipe and it’s so easy to make!

      Reply
    4. LORI

      September 17, 2024 at 10:56 am

      I have to tell you, this is the best goulash we have ever had. I’ve been making it for years and couldn’t hardly eat it. I’m not big on red sauce in anything [pizza, pasta,etc.]. My guy had a fit over this, he ate 3 bowls of goulash, 3 nights in a row! I am able to eat this TOO! I made it exactly as written, just added a couple spoons of sugar to cut the acid. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE GREAT RECIPE.

      Reply
    5. Emerson

      August 13, 2024 at 3:38 pm

      5 stars
      Actually,3 time I have this goulash!Comfort food!!Thank you!

      Reply
    6. Toni

      August 05, 2024 at 12:54 pm

      Love this recipe! How much is in one serving? I’m trying to incorporate this into my diet!

      Reply
      • Megan Porta

        August 05, 2024 at 1:24 pm

        Hey Toni! I’m so glad you love this one. There are 8 servings total if you make a full batch. You can find those details as well as calorie details at the top of the recipe card.

        Reply
    7. Monica

      September 06, 2023 at 2:24 pm

      4 stars
      This makes things so much easier not having to cook pasta separately. I think I need to increase the seasonings though but that’s just my taste personally. I also think there’s too much tomato sauce and diced tomatoes. I think you only need one can of each otherwise it’s really tomato like. It overpowers the dish a bit. Just could be my own taste but I think I’ll do that next time I make it. Thank you!

      Reply
      • Megan Porta

        September 07, 2023 at 8:17 am

        Thank you, Monica for sharing. I am a seasoning/flavor person too. But we have people who think ketchup is spicy and we have people who loves all the heat and in between. It will be an easy tweak!

        Reply
    8. EBurris

      June 28, 2023 at 8:44 pm

      Wow, absolutely delicious. My mom made goulash growing up and I always liked it but your recipe is so much tastier! Thank you!

      Reply
      • Megan Porta

        June 28, 2023 at 9:50 pm

        I’m glad it was enjoyed! Goulash can be enjoyed so many ways.

        Reply
    9. Robin Lockhart

      April 19, 2023 at 8:47 pm

      This was so easy. I cut it in 1/2 for 2 people. I still have leftovers. It tastes great!

      Reply
      • Megan Porta

        April 19, 2023 at 9:51 pm

        So glad to hear it was enjoyed, Robin. Thank you for sharing!

        Reply
    10. Connie

      March 19, 2023 at 3:51 pm

      I remember my Momma cooking this for us a lot when I was a kid. I haven’t had this in a very long time. I’m cooking this right now and I’m remembering those family meals and watching my Momma cooking in the kitchen. I can see her now up in heaven cooking

      Reply
      • Megan Porta

        March 20, 2023 at 5:43 pm

        Aw Connie. I’m glad you have those good memories to hold you tight. I hope you enjoy it. Hugs!

        Reply
    11. Carolanne

      February 27, 2023 at 5:19 pm

      I make this often but use ground venison.

      Reply
      • Megan Porta

        February 27, 2023 at 5:21 pm

        Great idea! Whatever you have on hand is best. Thank you for sharing!

        Reply
    12. Kara

      February 01, 2023 at 5:13 pm

      5 stars
      I can’t count the number of times I’ve made this recipe. It is a major staple and family favorite, and I usually make it during weeks where we need a leftover night or two because I know it makes a ton of food. Thank you so much for this recipe!

      Reply
      • Megan Porta

        February 02, 2023 at 12:42 am

        Love to hear this, Kara! Thank you for sharing.

        Reply
    13. Jennifer

      August 24, 2022 at 9:29 pm

      5 stars
      Delish! I have made this several times now. It’s on our dinner rotation. Easy. Tasty. What more could you want?! Thank you for the recipe.

      Reply
      • Megan Porta

        August 24, 2022 at 10:58 pm

        So glad to hear it, Jennifer! I love that it’s easy too but that everyone enjoys it is the winner. Thanks for sharing!

        Reply
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