There’s something incredibly special about those meals that instantly take us back to childhood—the ones that made the kitchen smell like comfort and brought the whole family to the table. For me, this goulash recipe is that dish. It’s simple, hearty, flavorful, and most importantly, made with love. I’ve been making it for years, and no matter how many times I do, it never fails to bring back warm memories.
Whether you’re looking for a meal to please picky eaters, feed a crowd, or just satisfy your craving for classic comfort food, this goulash will hit the spot. With tender pasta, seasoned ground beef, tomatoes, and a savory sauce, it’s the kind of one-pot wonder that fills bellies and hearts.
💛 Why You’ll Love This Goulash
✅ One-pot recipe – Easy prep and cleanup
✅ Family favorite – Kids and adults love it
✅ Budget-friendly – Simple ingredients you likely have on hand
✅ Freezer-friendly – Great for meal prep
✅ Ready in under 45 minutes
🛒 Ingredients for Classic American Goulash
This goulash recipe uses pantry staples to create big, bold flavor:
1 lb ground beef – Lean (85/15) works great
1 small onion, diced
2–3 cloves garlic, minced
1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce
1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes, undrained
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
2 tsp Italian seasoning
1 tsp paprika
Salt & pepper, to taste
1½ cups elbow macaroni (uncooked)
2 cups beef broth or water – Adds flavor and helps cook the pasta
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional but recommended)
Optional Add-ins: Green bell pepper, red chili flakes, or a dash of hot sauce for heat.
🍳 Equipment You’ll Need
- Large sauté pan or Dutch oven with lid
- Wooden spoon or spatula
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Cutting board & knife
⏱️ Time & Yield
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30–35 minutes
- Total Time: ~45 minutes
- Servings: 6
- Calories: ~350–400 per serving
👨🍳 How to Make the Best Goulash (Step-by-Step)
Step 1: Brown the Beef & Aromatics
In a large pot or deep skillet, cook the ground beef over medium heat until no longer pink. Drain excess grease if needed. Add diced onion and garlic, and cook for another 3–4 minutes, until the onions are soft and fragrant.
Step 2: Add the Sauce Ingredients
Stir in the tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, Worcestershire sauce, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix well and bring to a gentle simmer.
Step 3: Add Pasta & Broth
Pour in the uncooked elbow macaroni and beef broth (or water). Stir well to make sure the pasta is evenly distributed and covered with liquid.
Cover and simmer over medium-low heat for 15–20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is tender and the flavors are blended.
Step 4: Finish with Cheese (Optional)
Once the pasta is fully cooked and most of the liquid has been absorbed, remove the pot from heat. Stir in shredded cheddar cheese if using. Let it sit for 2–3 minutes before serving so it thickens slightly.
Step 5: Serve & Enjoy!
Spoon your goulash into bowls and serve hot. Top with a little extra cheese or fresh parsley if you like.
🍽️ Serving Suggestions
This goulash is satisfying all on its own, but it pairs beautifully with:
Buttered crusty bread or garlic toast
Simple green salad with vinaigrette
Steamed green beans or peas
Pickles or coleslaw for contrast
Hosting tip: Double the recipe for potlucks and gatherings—it disappears fast!
🧠 Tips for the Best Goulash
Use beef broth instead of water for deeper flavor.
Don’t overcook the pasta – Stir occasionally and test at 15 minutes.
Add veggies – Bell peppers, mushrooms, or corn are great additions.
Make it spicy – Add crushed red pepper or hot sauce.
Cheese is optional, but delicious – Cheddar, mozzarella, or even cream cheese works.
🔁 Variations to Try
1. Cheesy Goulash Bake
Top with extra cheese and bake at 375°F for 10 minutes until bubbly and golden.
2. Turkey Goulash
Swap ground beef for ground turkey for a leaner option.
3. Tex-Mex Goulash
Add taco seasoning, corn, and black beans for a southwest twist.
4. Creamy Goulash
Stir in ½ cup sour cream or heavy cream at the end for a creamy version.
❄️ Storage & Reheating
To Store:
Let goulash cool completely and store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
To Freeze:
Freeze in individual portions or a large container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
To Reheat:
Reheat on the stove or in the microwave, adding a splash of broth or water if needed to loosen it up.
🥘 Nutritional Snapshot (Approx. Per Serving)
- Calories: 375
- Protein: 22g
- Fat: 15g
- Carbs: 38g
- Fiber: 3g
Based on standard ingredients and optional cheese
❤️ Final Thoughts
This recipe truly is the best goulash—not just because of how good it tastes, but because of the memories it brings. It’s cozy, filling, and made with love, just like Grandma used to make. Whether you’re serving it on a chilly night or just want a taste of nostalgia, this dish will always satisfy.
It’s not fancy, but it’s real food for real life—and those are the recipes that mean the most.
Tried it?
Share your version with #BestGoulashRecipe and tell us—did it remind you of home?
Print Recipe From Here ⤵️
The Best Goulash Recipe
Equipment
- Large sauté pan or Dutch oven with lid
- Wooden spoon or spatula
- – Measuring cups and spoons
- Cutting board & knife
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef – Lean 85/15 works great
- 1 small onion diced
- 2 –3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 15 oz can tomato sauce
- 1 14.5 oz can diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp paprika
- Salt & pepper to taste
- 1½ cups elbow macaroni uncooked
- 2 cups beef broth or water – Adds flavor and helps cook the pasta
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese optional but recommended
> Optional Add-ins: Green bell pepper, red chili flakes, or a dash of hot sauce for heat.
Instructions
Step 1: Brown the Beef & Aromatics
- In a large pot or deep skillet, cook the ground beef over medium heat until no longer pink. Drain excess grease if needed. Add diced onion and garlic, and cook for another 3–4 minutes, until the onions are soft and fragrant.
- —
Step 2: Add the Sauce Ingredients
- Stir in the tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, Worcestershire sauce, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix well and bring to a gentle simmer.
- —
Step 3: Add Pasta & Broth
- Pour in the uncooked elbow macaroni and beef broth (or water). Stir well to make sure the pasta is evenly distributed and covered with liquid.
- Cover and simmer over medium-low heat for 15–20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is tender and the flavors are blended.
- —
Step 4: Finish with Cheese (Optional)
- Once the pasta is fully cooked and most of the liquid has been absorbed, remove the pot from heat. Stir in shredded cheddar cheese if using. Let it sit for 2–3 minutes before serving so it thickens slightly.
- —
Step 5: Serve & Enjoy!
- Spoon your goulash into bowls and serve hot. Top with a little extra cheese or fresh parsley if you like.
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