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American Goulash is my kind of comfort food! It’s rich, savory, and full of that cozy, tomato-y goodness. It’s hearty, easy to make, and one bite will have you hooked just like my family is!
A Reader’s Review
Perfect. Followed the recipe! Tasted better than my Mom’s! Thank you for sharing.
How This Goulash Stole My Heart (and Fork)
- One-pot: Everything cooks together in a single pot, which means less cleanup and more flavor as the pasta soaks up the rich, seasoned sauce.
- Family-friendly: Kids love it, but it’s also packed with hearty, comforting flavor that adults can feel good about!
- Freezer-friendly: Perfect for meal prep! Make a batch, freeze it, and enjoy the same rich flavor and texture!
How To Make American Goulash
Making this classic American goulash recipe couldn’t be easier. Cook the beef and onion, and then throw everything together and let it simmer. You’ll have time to make my 1-hour rolls and green goddess salad to have on the side.
- Brown the Meat: Add 2 pounds of ground beef to a large stockpot over medium high heat. Cook and brown the beef for 7-8 minutes. Remove the meat from the pot and drain, leaving about 1-2 tablespoons of grease in the pot.
- Cook the Onion: Add diced onion and cook for about 5 minutes over medium heat until tender. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute.
- Make Soup Base: Return the cooked beef to the pot. Add water, beef base, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, soy sauce, Italian seasoning, seasoned salt, paprika, black pepper, and bay leaves. Stir to combine, then bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes.
- Add Noodles & Simmer: Stir in uncooked noodles. Cover and simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until al dente. Stir occasionally to prevent the noodles from sticking to the bottom. Just before serving, stir in cheese. Garnish your goulash with fresh chopped Italian parsley on top before serving!
What’s the Difference Between Hungarian and American Goulash?
Hungarian goulash is a hearty stew loaded with meat, vegetables, and plenty of paprika. Hungarian sometimes uses dumplings or potatoes instead of pasta. American goulash skips the extra veggies (aside from the tomato based sauce) and goes all-in with macaroni noodles and cheese. You might also hear it called “American chop suey.”
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Classic American Goulash
Ingredients
- 2 pounds ground beef
- 1 large diced onion
- 4 cloves minced garlic
- 3 cups water
- 1 tablespoon beef base or bouillon
- 2 (15-ounce) cans tomato sauce
- 2 (15-ounce) cans diced tomatoes (one petite diced)
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons Italian seasoning
- 1 tablespoon seasoned salt
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 3 bay leaves
- 2 cups elbow macaroni noodles uncooked
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- fresh chopped Italian parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Add 1 large diced onion and cook for about 5 minutes over medium heat until tender. Add 4 cloves minced garlic and cook for 1 minute.
- Return the cooked beef to the pot. Add 3 cups water, 1 tablespoon beef base, 2 (15-ounce) cans tomato sauce, 2 (15-ounce) cans diced tomatoes, 3 tablespoons soy sauce, 2 tablespoons Italian seasoning, 1 tablespoon seasoned salt, 2 teaspoons paprika, ½ teaspoon black pepper, and 3 bay leaves. Stir to combine, then bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes.
- Stir in 2 cups elbow macaroni noodles. Cover and simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until al dente. Stir occasionally to prevent the noodles from sticking to the bottom.
- Just before serving, stir in 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese. Garnish with fresh chopped Italian parsley on top before serving!
Video
Notes
- Fridge: Store cooled goulash in an airtight container for 3–4 days.
- Freezer: Freeze in a labeled, airtight container or bag for up to 3 months.
- Reheat: From fridge—warm on stove or microwave in 1–2 min intervals. From freezer—thaw overnight, then reheat on stove.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
More Hearty Soups to Try
When it gets cold outside, I love making a big pot of soup! It warms my soul as well as my heart! Here are some of my favorites!
This was very simple to make and I loved that it’s a one pot recipe. However, it’s extremely salty and asks for way too much Italian seasoning. Next time I’ll half the soy sauce (I even used low sodium!), season salt (maybe even less!) and Italian seasoning, plus use low sodium beef broth instead of the water and bouillon.
I agree way too much Italian seasoning – in fact think it was a misprint – maybe 1 tbsp but I think even 1 tsp. Anyone have suggestions on how to cut the strong Italian seasoning taste?
Make another batch, leave out the Italian seasoning and combine them. Freeze half. That’s the only thing I can think to do for you.
Could I throw all ingredients in slow cooker on low for the afternoon?? Cook noodles separately and add when ready to eat?
Yes, that is perfect!
Really good! Just like my Mom used to make. She’s passed, and I didn’t have the recipe. Brought back fond memories.
You would need to omit the water if you don’t use the pasta. As it is, I cook the pasta separately and leave out the water because the pasta tends to get too mushy if you don’t take it off the heat at the exact right time. I also add bell peppers.
I love this recipe but with a couple modifications. I add chopped up zucchini and yellow squash. I also don’t add the bay leaves or cheese. Just because I didn’t have the bay leaves and don’t miss them and I don’t like cheese. 🙂
I love goulash and originally made it like this recipe but as the years passed I would make homemade Mac and Cheese one day then use the leftover Mac and Cheese for goulash but I also added a drained can of red kidney beans. It really made it so much better with the leftover Mac and Cheese.
I followed this recipe except I left out paprika bc I hate it! I also didnt have any seasoned salt, so I used kosher salt. It was really good! I cut everything in half and it worked out well. Topped with the cheese by the bowl instead of mixing it in. Will defiantly make again.
Wow, we loved it. I thought the entire list was a little crazy with the ingredients but I followed the recipe exactly and bom, did those flavors ever mix well together. A new favorite!
We visited a favorite cousin one winter weekend and she said she had made Hungarian Goulash for dinner. My picky youngsters rolled their eyes, which usually means “no way!” However, after eating a large portion, my oldest asked, “may I have more Yugoslavia?” A big laugh and another large helping. I’m making this the next time he visits! It sounds just like I remember.
This was a very good recipe, but it was too salty for me. I’m wondering if the recipe should read 1 tsp seasoned salt instead of 1 tbsp. Other than that, the flavors were delicious!
I don’t know what the complaints are all about. I’ve tried numerous recipes for American Goulash and this one is, by far, the very best. I just finished making it and it’s incredible!
My family and I love this recipe! Makes a ton. Was wondering if you’ve ever frozen it before and if that works. Thanks so much for the recipe!
Very good except it was too salty. I didn’t even use the soy sauce because I accidentally forgot.. next time I’ll use a fraction of that and a fraction of the season salt. The house smelled amazing though. Everyone liked it, I’ll make it again for sure . Thanks for the post
Delicious! Added green pepper and red pepper flakes! Delicious.
Great recipe to half. Easy tomsplit
I’m going to try this tonight. Sounds great and so easy.
This satisfied my picky eaters! Tons of compliments and delicious warmed over for lunch the next day!