This Easy American Goulash (also known as hamburger goulash or American chop suey) is a perfect dinner choice for busy weeknights. It’s budget-friendly, prepared in ONE POT for easy cleanup, and on the table in 30 minutes!
This old-fashioned one pot wonder is a delicious combination of ground beef, onions, and macaroni pasta in a deliciously seasoned tomato-based cheesy sauce. Serve with skillet cornbread for a hearty meal the whole family will love.
This recipe uses simple ingredients you likely already have in your fridge and pantry and can easily be adapted to suit your taste. Classic homemade comfort food has never been easier!
American Goulash Ingredients
- Ground beef
- Onion
- Elbow macaroni
- Diced tomatoes – Canned diced tomatoes (undrained).
- Tomato sauce – Marinara sauce can be substituted for tomato sauce.
- Beef broth – I prefer low sodium broth so that I can have more control over the saltiness of the dish.
- Steak sauce – Worcestershire sauce can be substituted for steak sauce.
- Herbs and seasonings: Salt, black pepper, garlic, bay leaf, and Italian seasoning.
- Granulated sugar – To balance out the acidity in the tomato sauce.
- Fresh parsley – Optional garnish.
How to Make Goulash
Following is a brief overview of how to prepare. Please see the recipe card for detailed instructions.
- Cook the ground beef and onion until beef is browned and no longer pink. Drain off fat.
- Add garlic and cook until fragrant.
- Add diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, broth, seasonings, bay leaf, sugar, and steak sauce. Stir to combine.
- Bring to a gentle boil and stir in macaroni.
- Cover and simmer until pasta is tender, stirring occasionally.
- Remove and discard bay leaf.
- Stir in shredded cheese until melted. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley, if desired.
Recipe Variations
- Sneak in veggies: Add diced bell pepper, zucchini and/or carrots.
- For a leaner option, use ground turkey or chicken as a substitute for ground beef.
- Add heat by adding crushed red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper.
- Cheese alternative: Use shredded mozzarella (or your favorite cheese) instead of cheddar.
- Increase the number of servings by adding a can or two of kidney beans that have been rinsed and drained.
Common Questions
Goulash can be frozen for up to 3 months when stored properly. Once cooled, store in a zip-top plastic freezer bag (press out as much air as possible before sealing) or in a freezer-safe airtight container. Defrost in the refrigerator overnight.
When stored properly in an airtight container, it will last up to 3 to 4 days in the fridge.
American goulash includes ground beef and macaroni in a tomato-based sauce with cheese that is typically seasoned with Italian seasoning, while Hungarian goulash is a stew (that does not include pasta or cheese) that has chunks of beef instead of ground beef. Hungarian goulash is seasoned with paprika and is often served over egg noodles.
Helpful Tips
- Stir occasionally while the goulash is simmering so that the pasta doesn’t stick to the bottom of the pot.
- Shred your own cheese from a block instead of using pre-shredded cheese. Freshly shredded cheese melts better.
- When reheating leftovers, you may need to add a little beef broth since the pasta tends to absorb the liquid when stored.
5 Star Review
This is absolutely delicious! It’s pure comfort in a bowl. We’ll be making it often!
~ Jenna
More Easy One Pot Meals
Easy American Goulash
Ingredients
- 1 ¼ pounds ground beef
- 1 ½ cups chopped yellow onion
- 2 tablespoons minced fresh garlic
- 1 (28 ounce) can diced tomatoes undrained
- 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
- 1 cup beef broth low sodium
- ½ teaspoon salt more or less, to taste
- ½ teaspoon black pepper more or less, to taste
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon steak sauce
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 ½ cups elbow macaroni
- 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
- Chopped fresh parsley optional garnish
Instructions
- Cook ground beef and onion until beef is browned and no longer pink (about 5 to 6 minutes) in a 6-quart Dutch oven or large soup pot over medium high heat. Crumble beef while cooking using a wooden spoon. Drain off fat.
- Add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, beef broth, salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, sugar, steak sauce, and bay leaf. Stir to combine.
- Bring to a gentle boil and stir in elbow macaroni. Cover and simmer for 15 minutes or until pasta is tender, stirring occasionally to prevent pasta from sticking to the pot. Reduce heat as necessary to maintain a simmer (medium to medium low).
- Remove from heat and discard bay leaf. Stir in cheese until melted.
- Garnish with chopped fresh parsley when serving, if desired.
Video
Notes
- Storage Â
- To freeze: Once cooled, store in a zip-top plastic freezer bag (press out as much air as possible before sealing) or in a freezer-safe airtight container. Freeze for up to 3 months. Defrost in the refrigerator overnight.
- To refrigerate:Â Once cooled, store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 to 4 days.
- This recipe yields approximately 11 cups.
Nutrition
If provided, nutritional info is a courtesy, is not guaranteed and should only be considered as a guideline.
I made this tonight for my husband and the only changes I made were adding mushrooms and extra noodles. My husband loved this dish and had 3 helpings…. he is now napping, I’ll take that sa big hit!!!
Thanks so much, Cynthia! The mushrooms sound delicious in this… so glad it was a hit!! 🙂
I am going to the grocery store and buying the list for this recipe, I’ve been through a ton of the goulash recipes and this one sounded great! Thanks so much!
Jo
Thank you, Jo! I hope you love it! 🙂
My mom has made this for years and it is one of my favorite comfort foods. When I read this recipe had to give it a try with the extra seasoning and it is another winner for us! Didnt think it needed the additional salt and sugar so left those out and used we were out of steak sauce so used worcestershire sauce. Liked the bay leaf added to give the goulash a slow cooked flavor. Will be making this again! Made and reviewed for the Alphabet recipe tag game.
Thanks so much, Lori! It’s one of my favorite comfort foods too. So happy everyone enjoyed it! 🙂
Are you supposed to drain diced tomatoes?
Hi Dave, no do not drain the diced tomatoes. I hope you enjoy the goulash! 🙂
I live this recipe. Easy enough to make and impossible to mess up., and it’s always delicious . Thenks for sharing .
Thanks so much, Carl! So glad you enjoyed it! 🙂
Two picky eaters in the house gave it a 9 out of 10 and cleaned their bowls! Everyone else gave it a 10 out of 10.
That’s awesome for picky eaters! Thanks so much, Lisa. Happy to hear everyone enjoyed it! 🙂
I love goulash but haven’t had it in years. I happened upon this recipe when searching for a simple one, and it’s BY FAR the best I’ve ever tasted. Better than I remember! The only thing I added was a green pepper 🙂 So thankful for this quick, simple, and delicious recipe, especially being pregnant and chasing twin toddlers (who devoured it as well…something they never do lol!) So thank you very much for sharing!!!
Thanks so much, Devin! So happy to hear you (and the twins!) enjoyed it! 🙂
I stumbled across this recipe & thought this looks familiar. I’ve been making a very similar thing for as long as I have been cooking. It was on e of my grandma’s standards, the main difference is we never used cheese of any kind. I use ground turkey, and sometimes add green peppers. I never make it the same way twice, always comes out really good. Never called it goulash either but maybe I will now. Great recipe thanks for posting!
Thanks, Lisa! Green peppers in this sounds delicious! 🙂
Best Goulash I’ve ever had! All the spices really make a difference.
Thanks so much, Kathy! So glad you enjoyed it! 🙂
Making this for my hardworking hubby tonight!!! He’s been wanting to have goulash for a long time and this just sounds perfect together all in one pot!!
Thanks so much, Amanda… I hope he enjoyed it! Have a great Sunday! 🙂
This is absolutely delicious! It’s pure comfort in a bowl. We’ll be making it often!
Thanks so much, Jenna! So happy to hear you enjoyed it! 🙂
I love chunks of tomatoes in dishes like this! And how can you go wrong with cheese?
Thanks, Bethany… it is definitely comforting to say the least! 🙂
Looks great. I was just putting together a grocery list. Perfect!
Will make this tomorrow.
Thank you for sharing.
Have a great day!
Mona.
Thanks, Mona… hope you enjoy it and have a great day as well! 🙂
This is true comfort food. Reminds me of my childhood! Love that its one pot too!
Thanks so much, Karly! 🙂
Doubling therefore could assume double of everything?
Hi Ann, I’ve never doubled this recipe but yes I would double everything. Hope you enjoy it! 🙂
Can i use vegetable or chicken broth if I’m using ground turkey.
Hi Arlene, I haven’t tested the recipe this way, but it sounds delicious. I wouldn’t be hesitant to give it a try. Please let me know how it turns out! 🙂