Ground Beef Goulash: A Quick & Easy Weeknight Recipe

This easy Ground Beef Goulash recipe is the ultimate one-pot comfort food, guaranteed to become a family favorite. It’s a hearty, flavorful, and budget-friendly meal that comes together in under an hour, making it perfect for busy weeknights. Packed with savory ground beef, tender macaroni, and a rich tomato-based sauce, this dish is pure nostalgia in a bowl.

If you’re looking for a simple yet satisfying dinner, this American-style goulash is the answer. It requires minimal prep and delivers maximum flavor, solving the “what’s for dinner” dilemma with delicious results.

Why This Ground Beef Goulash is a Weeknight Winner

You’ll fall in love with this recipe for its simplicity and incredible taste. It’s a true one-pot wonder, which means less time cleaning up and more time enjoying your meal. The ingredients are simple, affordable pantry staples you likely already have on hand.

• Quick & Easy: Ready from start to finish in about 45 minutes.
• Budget-Friendly: Uses common, inexpensive ingredients to create a filling meal.
• Family-Approved: A classic comfort food that kids and adults adore. For another family favorite, try this easy homemade hamburger helper.
• One-Pot Meal: Everything cooks together in a single Dutch oven or large pot for easy cleanup.

American Goulash vs. Hungarian Goulash: What’s the Difference?

While both are delicious, it’s important to know that American Ground Beef Goulash is quite different from traditional Hungarian Goulash. Hungarian Goulash is a rich, slow-cooked stew made with chunks of beef (like chuck roast), a generous amount of paprika, and vegetables like peppers and carrots. It’s often served over egg noodles or with dumplings.

American Goulash, on the other hand, is a quicker, simpler dish. It features ground beef and elbow macaroni cooked together in a savory tomato and beef broth sauce. It’s the comforting, home-style dish many of us grew up with.

Ingredients You’ll Need

This recipe uses simple, accessible ingredients to create its signature savory flavor.

• Ground Beef: 85/15 or 90/10 ground beef works best to provide flavor without being overly greasy.
• Onion & Garlic: The aromatic foundation for our sauce. Yellow or white onion will work well.
• Beef Broth: Adds a deep, savory flavor to the sauce.
• Canned Tomatoes: A combination of crushed tomatoes and tomato sauce creates a rich, balanced base.
• Seasonings: Paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper are all you need. The paprika gives it a classic goulash color and taste.
• Elbow Macaroni: The classic pasta for American goulash. It cooks right in the pot, soaking up all the delicious sauce.
• Worcestershire Sauce: A secret ingredient that adds a fantastic depth of flavor.
• Shredded Cheddar Cheese: Optional, but highly recommended for a cheesy, delicious finish.

How to Make The Best Ground Beef Goulash

Follow these simple steps for a perfect pot of goulash every time.

1. Brown the Beef: In a large Dutch oven or pot over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef and chopped onion until the beef is no longer pink and the onion is softened. Drain any excess grease.
2. Sauté Aromatics: Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
3. Build the Sauce: Stir in the beef broth, crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, paprika, Italian seasoning, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper. Bring the mixture to a simmer.
4. Cook the Macaroni: Stir in the uncooked elbow macaroni. Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until the pasta is tender, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
5. Finish and Serve: Once the pasta is cooked, remove the pot from the heat. If using, stir in the shredded cheddar cheese until melted and creamy. Serve hot.

Tips for the Perfect Goulash

A few simple tips can take your goulash from great to absolutely unforgettable.

• Don’t Overcook the Pasta: Keep an eye on the macaroni as it simmers. You want it to be al dente, as it will continue to soften in the hot sauce.
• Use Quality Ingredients: Using a good quality beef broth and canned tomatoes makes a noticeable difference in the final flavor.
• Let it Rest: Allow the goulash to rest for about 5 minutes after cooking. This helps the sauce thicken up perfectly.
• Customize It: Feel free to add other vegetables like bell peppers or corn. For a similar hearty meal, check out this incredible ground beef and potato soup.

What to Serve with Goulash

This Ground Beef Goulash is a complete meal on its own, but it also pairs wonderfully with a few simple sides. A fresh green salad with a simple vinaigrette, crusty bread or garlic bread for dipping, or a side of steamed green beans are all excellent choices.

Storage and Reheating Instructions

Storing

Allow the goulash to cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. It can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Reheating

Reheat gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat, adding a splash of beef broth or water to loosen the sauce if needed. You can also reheat individual portions in the microwave.

Freezing

Goulash freezes beautifully! Let it cool completely, then store it in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw it overnight in the refrigerator before reheating. For another comforting soup that stores well, try our creamy white lasagna soup.

Frequently Asked Questions About Ground Beef Goulash

More Comfort Food Recipes to Try

This Ground Beef Goulash recipe is a testament to the joy of simple, homemade food. It’s a comforting classic that brings everyone to the table. We hope you and your family love it as much as we do! If you make it, please leave a comment below or share a photo on Pinterest!

Ground Beef Goulash Recipe

Ground Beef Goulash: A Quick & Easy Weeknight Recipe

This one-pot Ground Beef Goulash is the ultimate comfort food! A hearty, budget-friendly American-style goulash with tender macaroni, savory ground beef, and a rich tomato sauce, ready in under 45 minutes for the perfect family dinner.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 35 minutes mins

Total Time 45 minutes mins

Servings: 6 people

Course: Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine: American

Calories: 450

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 1 lb lean ground beef 85/15 or 90/10
• 1 large yellow onion chopped
• 3 cloves garlic minced
• 4 cups beef broth low sodium
• 15 oz canned crushed tomatoes
• 15 oz canned tomato sauce
• 1 tbsp paprika
• 2 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tsp salt or to taste
• 1/2 tsp black pepper or to taste
• 2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese optional

Equipment

• 1 Large Dutch oven or pot
• 1 Wooden spoon

Instructions

 

1. In a large Dutch oven or pot over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef and chopped onion until the beef is browned and the onion has softened, about 5-7 minutes. Drain off any excess grease.
2. Add the minced garlic to the pot and cook for 1 minute more until fragrant.
3. Stir in the beef broth, crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, paprika, Italian seasoning, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper. Stir well to combine and bring the sauce to a simmer.
4. Add the uncooked macaroni to the pot and stir to combine. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until the macaroni is tender. Stir occasionally to prevent the pasta from sticking to the bottom of the pot.
5. Remove the pot from the heat. If desired, stir in the shredded cheddar cheese until it's completely melted and the sauce is creamy. Serve the goulash hot.

Notes

For a spicier goulash, add 1/4 teaspoon of red pepper flakes with the other seasonings.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.