This American Goulash recipe is ready in only 5 steps and cooks in 1 pot! It uses a a classic combination of beef, tomatoes and pasta for a dinner that will quickly become a favorite go-to.

About The Recipe
If you’ve never had American Goulash before, the best part about it is the simple combination of beef + tomatoes + pasta. These are classic flavors that just go together in a way that’s so satisfying.
Here’s what else you need to know about this recipe:
- One pot recipe: this recipe is easy to make in one pot. All the ingredients are added directly to the pot, even the noodles.
- Make it your own: different versions of American goulash are popular across the country. Some favorites include mixing in corn or adding shredded cheese on top.
- Simple: this recipe is done in 5 steps and uses simple ingredients. After you’ve made the recipe once, it’s easy for it to become a go-to that you repeat again & again!

How to Make American Goulash
The full recipe is at the bottom of this page, but here’s a breakdown of how to make it in 5 easy steps:
Step 1: Cook The Onion & Garlic
Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large pot over medium high heat. Saute the onion 3 – 4 minutes, until tender. Add the garlic and saute for 1 minute more.
Step 2: Cook the Beef
Add the beef to the pot. Crumble and cook until browned, about 5 – 8 minutes. Drain excess grease.
Step 3: Simmer
Add all of the remaining ingredients except for the macaroni noodles to the pot. Stir and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, covered and stirring occasionally, for 30 minutes.
Step 4: Add Macaroni
Stir in the macaroni. Simmer for 10 minutes or until the pasta is tender, stirring occasionally.
Step 5: Serve
Serve warm, optionally garnished with chopped parsley on top.

Tips for The Recipe
- Add more broth: if you’d like to thin out your Goulash, add more broth after the macaroni noodles finish cooking. The noodles will absorb a lot of liquid and you can thin your soup out with more broth if you like.
- Use a heavy-bottomed pot: a large, heavy-bottomed pot like a dutch oven works best for this recipe. Because the whole recipe cooks in 1 pot, it’s helpful to use one that’s sturdy and cooks through evenly.
- How to serve Goulash: this can be a stand-alone meal or serve with with a side of bread or cornbread for dipping.
American Goulash vs. Traditional Hungarian Goulash
American Goulash is an adaptation of Hungarian Goulash. The main differences between these 2 versions are that Hungarian Goulash uses chunks of meat (rather than ground beef) and is flavored primarily with paprika.
How to Store American Goulash
- In the fridge: let your goulash cool to room temperature and then store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- In the freezer: freeze in an airtight container for up to 3 months. The macaroni noodles have a tendency to become mushy when frozen — consider cooking them separately if you plan to freeze this recipe.

American Goulash Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Description
This American Goulash recipe is ready in only 5 steps and cooks in 1 pot! It’s super simple and tasty. It uses a a classic combination of beef, tomatoes and pasta for a dinner that will quickly become a favorite go-to.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 yellow onion, diced (about 1 cup)
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 (15 ounce) cans diced tomatoes
- 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
- 3 cups beef broth
- 1 bay leaf
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 ½ teaspoons Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 cups elbow macaroni noodles (uncooked)
- Parsley, optional for garnish
Instructions
- Cook the onion & garlic: Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large pot over medium high heat. Saute the onion 3 – 4 minutes, until tender. Add the garlic and saute for 1 minute more.
- Cook the beef: Add the beef to the pot. Crumble and cook until browned, about 5 – 8 minutes. Drain excess grease.
- Simmer: Add all of the remaining ingredients except for the macaroni noodles to the pot. Stir and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, covered and stirring occasionally, for 30 minutes.
- Add macaroni: Stir in the macaroni. Simmer for 10 minutes or until the pasta is tender, stirring occasionally.
- Serve: Serve warm, optionally garnished with chopped parsley on top.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
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