Easy Goulash (American Style) Recipe

Introduction

Easy Goulash is a comforting, hearty American-style pasta dish perfect for busy weeknights. It combines ground meat, savory tomato sauce, and tender elbow macaroni for a satisfying meal the whole family will love.

Ingredients

• ¾ pound ground beef (or ground turkey, chicken, pork, veal, or bison)
• ½ yellow onion, diced
• 2 cups low sodium beef broth (or chicken or vegetable 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 (or any short tubular pasta)
• ½ cup freshly shredded sharp cheddar cheese (optional)
• Chopped fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a Dutch oven, cook ground beef and diced onion over medium heat until the onion softens and the meat is fully cooked, about 3-5 minutes.
2. Step 2: Drain any excess grease from the pot.
3. Step 3: Add beef broth, marinara sauce, diced tomatoes, bay leaf, Italian seasoning, soy sauce, garlic powder, paprika, seasoned salt, and black pepper. Stir to combine and bring to a boil.
4. Step 4: Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer for 5-10 minutes to develop flavors.
5. Step 5: Stir in the elbow macaroni. Cover and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is tender, about 12-15 minutes. Avoid overcooking.
6. Step 6: Remove the bay leaf and taste the goulash, adjusting seasonings if needed.
7. Step 7: If using, sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over the top. To melt and brown the cheese, place the Dutch oven in a preheated oven under the broiler for a few minutes.
8. Step 8: Garnish with chopped fresh parsley before serving, if desired.

Tips & Variations

• For a lighter version, substitute ground turkey or chicken for the beef.
• Add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes for a bit of heat.
• Try using different pasta shapes like rotini or shells if elbow macaroni isn’t available.
• Use homemade marinara sauce for a fresher, richer flavor.
• Stir in some cooked vegetables like bell peppers or mushrooms for added nutrition.

Storage

Store leftover goulash in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat or in the microwave, adding a splash of broth or water if it seems too thick.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this dish ahead of time?

Yes, goulash can be prepared a day in advance and reheated. The flavors often deepen after resting overnight in the refrigerator.

What can I use instead of ground beef?

Ground turkey, chicken, pork, veal, or bison all work well as substitutes, offering different flavors and leaner options.

Easy Goulash (American Style) Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.6 from 62 reviews

This Easy Goulash recipe is a comforting American-style one-pot meal featuring ground beef, tender elbow macaroni, and a rich tomato-based sauce infused with Italian seasonings. Ready in under an hour, it’s perfect for a quick family dinner with optional cheese topping and fresh parsley garnish for extra flavor.

• Author: Tara
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Main Dish
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meat and Vegetables

• ¾ pound ground beef (or ground turkey, chicken, pork, veal, or bison)
• ½ yellow onion, diced

Liquids and Sauces

• 2 cups low sodium beef broth (or chicken or vegetable broth)
• 14.5 ounces diced tomatoes (1 can)
• 1 cup marinara sauce (store-bought or homemade)
• 2 teaspoons low-sodium soy sauce

Seasonings

• 1 tablespoon brown sugar (optional, for a sweeter sauce)
• 1 bay leaf
• 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning (store-bought or homemade)
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon ground paprika
• ½ teaspoon seasoned salt (or to taste)
• ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper (or to taste)

Pasta and Cheese

• 1 cup dry elbow macaroni (any short or tubular pasta works)
• ½ cup freshly shredded sharp cheddar cheese (optional)

Garnish

• Chopped fresh parsley (optional)

Instructions

1. Cook the beef and onion: In a Dutch oven, cook the ground beef and diced onion together over medium heat until the onion softens and the beef is fully cooked, about 3-5 minutes.
2. Drain grease: Remove and discard any excess grease from the cooked meat and onion to avoid a greasy sauce.
3. Add liquids and seasonings: Stir in the beef broth, marinara sauce, diced tomatoes, bay leaf, Italian seasoning, soy sauce, garlic powder, paprika, seasoned salt, black pepper, and brown sugar if using. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat.
4. Simmer to blend flavors: Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover the pot, and let the sauce simmer for 5 to 10 minutes to deepen the flavors.
5. Cook the pasta: Add the dry elbow macaroni directly into the simmering sauce. Cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is tender, approximately 12-15 minutes. Avoid overcooking to prevent mushy pasta.
6. Remove bay leaf and adjust seasoning: Take out the bay leaf and season the goulash with additional salt or pepper if needed to suit your taste.
7. Add cheese (optional): Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese to melt it into the goulash. Alternatively, if using a Dutch oven suitable for oven use, place it in a preheated oven to melt and brown the cheese on top.
8. Garnish and serve: Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the top for a fresh finish before serving the goulash hot.

Notes

• You can substitute the ground beef with ground turkey, chicken, pork, veal, or bison depending on your preference.
• Low sodium broth and soy sauce help control saltiness; adjust seasoning at the end if needed.
• Use any short pasta in place of elbow macaroni, such as penne or small shells.
• Adding brown sugar is optional and adds a subtle sweetness balancing the acidity from tomatoes.
• If you want browned cheese, use a Dutch oven safe for oven use or briefly broil after adding cheese.
• Leftovers store well refrigerated and may thicken—add a splash of broth or water when reheating.

Keywords: easy goulash, American goulash, ground beef pasta, one pot dinner, quick goulash recipe, comfort food, pasta goulash