Easy American Goulash Recipe

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.

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