Easy Goulash Recipe (American Style) - The Cookie Rookie (2024)

Easy Goulash Recipe (American Style) - The Cookie Rookie (1)

By: Becky Hardin

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If there is one recipe my kids will request I make time and time again, it’s this family friendly pasta. This Goulash Recipe is a hearty mix of ground beef, macaroni, and tomato sauce. I cook it all in one pot for a quick and easy dinner the whole family will love.

Easy Goulash Recipe (American Style) - The Cookie Rookie (2)

This easy goulash has over 500 5-star reviews. I’m so proud that so many people around the world have made it and decided they loved it enough to let me know. I hope your family loves it as much as ours.

Table of Contents

What’s in this Goulash Recipe?

I love that all you have to do to prepare this easy dinner is to throw all the ingredients in a pot and cook!

  • Ground Beef: Ground beef or hamburger meat is the best option for a quick, one-pot recipe like this.
  • Onion: I recommend using yellow onion for the best flavor. If you like red onions, use them as a topping instead.
  • Broth: Beef broth tastes best, but you can substitute chicken broth or vegetable broth if you need to.
  • Diced Tomatoes: Grab a can of regular diced tomatoes for convenience.
  • Marinara Sauce: Helps thicken up the sauce and enhances the tomato flavor.
  • Brown Sugar: This is optional but adds just a touch of sweetness!
  • Soy Sauce: Enhances the umami flavor of this dish. You could also use Worcestershire sauce.
  • Seasonings: This recipe uses paprika (a must for any goulash recipe!), Italian seasoning, garlic powder, seasoned salt, pepper, and a bay leaf.
  • Macaroni: Traditional elbow macaroni is my favorite, but you can use another short or tubular noodle. Penne works great too!
  • Cheddar Cheese: This is optional, but I love to make our beef goulash cheesy by adding some on top at the end.

Pro Tip: Cook the goulash in a Dutch oven or heavy-based pot. This will distribute the heat more evenly and you are less likely to get hot spots that can burn the bottom.

Variations

When I want to add some vegetables to this dish, I mix in carrots, potatoes, and other hearty veggies. That’s one great way I mix in some hidden veggies that the kids want to scarf down. I always par-cook them to slightly tender, then add them in with the rest of the ingredients.

Easy Goulash Recipe (American Style) - The Cookie Rookie (3)

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How to Store and Reheat

I store leftover goulash in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. When ready to serve, I reheat on the stove over medium-low heat or in the microwave in 30-second increments until warmed through.

How to Freeze

Let the goulash cool completely before transferring it to Ziplock bags or an airtight container. It will keep well for 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Serving Suggestions

This hearty American Chop Suey makes a great dinner by itself, but I find it also pairs well with cornbread, dinner rolls, or any kind of bread you like for a bit of scooping and dipping. My kids love it best when I serve it with a side of mashed potatoes or au gratin potatoes.

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Recipe

Easy Goulash Recipe (American Style)

4.66 from 645 votes

Author: Becky Hardin

Prep: 5 minutes minutes

Cook: 35 minutes minutes

Total: 40 minutes minutes

Easy Goulash Recipe (American Style) - The Cookie Rookie (6)

Serves4 bowls

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Ground beef, tomatoes, and noodles make a delicious comfort food dinner you can make any night of the week!

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Ingredients

  • ¾ pound ground beef
  • ½ yellow onion diced
  • 2 cups low sodium beef broth
  • 14.5 ounces diced tomatoes (1 can)
  • 1 cup marinara sauce store-bought or homemade
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar optional, for a sweeter sauce
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning store-bought or homemade
  • 2 teaspoons low-sodium soy sauce
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon ground paprika
  • ½ teaspoon seasoned salt or to taste
  • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper or to taste
  • 1 cup dry elbow macaroni
  • ½ cup freshly shredded sharp cheddar cheese optional
  • Chopped fresh parsley optional, for garnish

Instructions

  • In a Dutch oven, cook the ground beef and onion together until the onion softens and the meat cooks through, about 3-5 minutes.

    ¾ pound ground beef, ½ yellow onion

    Easy Goulash Recipe (American Style) - The Cookie Rookie (8)

  • Drain any grease.

  • Add the beef broth, marinara sauce, diced tomatoes, bay leaf, Italian seasoning, soy sauce, garlic powder, paprika, seasoned salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil.

    2 cups low sodium beef broth, 14.5 ounces diced tomatoes, 1 cup marinara sauce, 1 bay leaf, 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning, 2 teaspoons low-sodium soy sauce, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon ground paprika, ½ teaspoon seasoned salt, ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper

    Easy Goulash Recipe (American Style) - The Cookie Rookie (9)

  • Turn heat down to medium low and simmer for 5 or 10 minutes, covered.

  • Add the elbow macaroni and simmer, covered, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is tender, about 12-15 minutes. Don’t overcook.

    1 cup dry elbow macaroni

    Easy Goulash Recipe (American Style) - The Cookie Rookie (10)

  • Remove the bay leaves and adjust the seasonings to taste.

  • Add the shredded cheese, optional. If you are using a Dutch oven, you can pop it in the oven and melt and brown the cheese if desired.

    ½ cup freshly shredded sharp cheddar cheese

    Easy Goulash Recipe (American Style) - The Cookie Rookie (11)

  • Garnish the finished dish with chopped parsley, optional.

    Chopped fresh parsley

Last step! Don’t forget to show me a pic of what you made! Upload an image or tag me @thecookierookie on Instagram!

Becky’s tips

  • When the goulash is warm, it will resemble a soup, but it will thicken as it cools.
  • Cook the goulash in a Dutch oven or heavy based pot. This will distribute the heat more evenly and you are less likely to get hot spots which can burn the bottom.
  • Fell free to add in extra veggies. Bell peppers and mushrooms both work well.
  • If making ahead of time, let it cool completely before storing.

Storage:Store goulash in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Nutrition Information

Serving: 1bowl Calories: 435kcal (22%) Carbohydrates: 40g (13%) Protein: 28g (56%) Fat: 19g (29%) Saturated Fat: 8g (50%) Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g Monounsaturated Fat: 7g Trans Fat: 1g Cholesterol: 72mg (24%) Sodium: 1191mg (52%) Potassium: 1017mg (29%) Fiber: 4g (17%) Sugar: 9g (10%) Vitamin A: 670IU (13%) Vitamin C: 15mg (18%) Calcium: 185mg (19%) Iron: 4mg (22%)

Did You Make This?I want to see! Be sure to upload an image below & tag @thecookierookie on social media!

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What is goulash?

Goulash is a stew made from meat and vegetables seasoned with paprika and other spices.

Is Hamburger Helper the same as goulash?

Hamburger Helper is similar to goulash, but it is creamier, cheesier, and less tomato-heavy.

What is the difference between Hungarian goulash and American goulash?

American Goulash is made with ground beef, a tomato-based sauce, and elbow macaroni. Overall, it’s more like a casserole than a stew. Hungarian Goulash, on the other hand, is more of a traditional stew, made with stew meat (like chuck roast), and lots of vegetables. It’s a much thicker consistency and served over a bed of noodles or dumplings.

What cuts of meat are best for goulash?

I like to use lean ground beef for this recipe, but you can easily make it with ground turkey, chicken or pork, or even try ground veal or bison.

Should I cook the pasta beforehand?

No, the pasta will cook through perfectly in the pot along with the other ingredients.

How do you thicken goulash?

If it’s watery or runny, just let it continue to simmer for a while longer and stir. This usually does the trick for me, Otherwise, you can mix in just a bit of cornstarch and continue cooking.

Can I add cheese?

If you like, add plenty of shredded cheese on top after everything has finished cooking. Then pop it in the oven to broil for a few minutes to melt the cheese.

Can you freeze goulash?

Absolutely! It will keep well for up to 3 months.

More Goulash Recipes We Love

  • Crockpot Goulash
  • Instant Pot Goulash
  • Hungarian Goulash

Easy Goulash Recipe (American Style) - The Cookie Rookie (14)

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Easy Goulash Recipe (American Style) - The Cookie Rookie (2024)

FAQs

What's the difference between Hungarian 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.

How much Goulash do I have to make in Genshin? ›

After defeating the Great Snowboar King and getting his meat, players will need to give it to Harris. He will then give players the Goulash recipe and request for players to make it for him. The Goulash recipe requires two pieces of Chilled Meat, two carrots, and one tomato to create.

What is American Goulash made of? ›

It's a simple dish with ground beef and elbow macaroni in tomato sauce. This American comfort food is also called “slumgullion”, Hamburger Goulash, or “American chop suey” among other names!

What country did Goulash originate from? ›

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. Its origin may be traced back as far as the 10th century, to stews eaten by Hungarian shepherds.

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.

How do you unlock delicious Goulash? ›

The recipe for Goulash is obtainable by completing the World Quest Ah, Fresh Meat!

How do you trigger a land entombed? ›

Start the quest by picking up one of the Ancient Investigation Journals in Dragonspine, Mondstadt.
  1. Return to the base camp and ask the researchers for clues regarding the journal.
  2. If any parts have not been collected, obtain the following steps: ...
  3. Give the gathered journals to Stevens.

What is the max food in Genshin? ›

The maximum quantity that a single item can be held at one time depend on the type of item: 20,000: Lucky Coin. 9,999: Most Items. 2,000: Food, Processed Items (Excluding Crab Roe), and Dust of Azoth.

What is the difference between American and traditional goulash? ›

American goulash is a one-pot dish of ground beef, pasta (often elbow macaroni), tomatoes and cheese. Sometimes it includes paprika, like its Hungarian counterpart. Since American goulash calls for ground beef, it cooks much faster than Hungarian goulash which relies on low-and-slow cooking to render the beef tender.

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? ›

Hungarian goulash and American goulash. Hungarian goulash is a thick soup with meat and vegetables, usually seasoned with paprika. American goulash is very different. It generally has tomato sauce, macaroni and beef.

What country has the best goulash? ›

Hungary's most famous food, the goulash, is a crimson-hued beef soup laced with vegetables and imparting the sweet-sharp flavor of fresh paprika. The dish is named after the herdsmen in eastern Hungary — the gulyás — who prepared this hearty soup in large cast-iron kettles.

What is goulash eaten with? ›

What is Goulash Traditionally Served with? In Hungary, goulash is served with buttered egg noodles called Csipetke, which is the Hungarian word for spaetzle. Also good to serve with goulash is any kind of small pasta, mashed potatoes, dumplings, rice or bread to mop up the delicious sauce.

What country eats the most goulash? ›

Goulash is the most famous Hungarian dish in the world. It's one of Hungary's national dishes -- the symbol of their country. And it is for a good reason. It's a dish made with basic ingredients like meat, peppers and root vegetables elevated to perfection by the use of Hungary's most famous spice: paprika.

Why is it called Hungarian goulash? ›

The word Goulash comes from the Hungarian word Gulyás pronounced almost the same only with no L, which is a word for a Hungarian Herdsman or Cowboy.

What do you eat with Hungarian goulash? ›

Serve with traditional accompaniments: Serve Hungarian goulash with traditional accompaniments such as bread, egg noodles, or dumplings. A dollop of sour cream and chopped fresh parsley or chives is also a popular garnish.

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