Home » Recipes » American Goulash Recipe

American Goulash Recipe

Name: American Goulash Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 40 min
Ingredients: 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1 medium onion (diced); 1 large green bell pepper (diced (use 2-3 jalapeno peppers for a spicier version)); 1.5 pounds ground beef; 4 garlic cloves (minced); 2 tablespoons Italian seasoning blend (or use 2 teaspoons dried basil, 2 teaspoons oregano, 1 teaspoon rosemary, and 1 teaspoon thyme); 1 tablespoon paprika (I use hot paprika); 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for spicy – use more as desired); Salt and pepper (to taste); 4 15-ounce cans fire roasted tomatoes (or use canned diced tomatoes); 3 cups beef broth; 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce; 1 bay leaf; Hot sauce (to taste (optional, for spicy)); 2 cups macaroni noodles (uncooked (elbow macaroni)); 1 cup cheddar cheese (shredded (or more to taste. Optional - you can use other melty cheeses if preferred))

by Mike Hultquist · Mar 25, 2024 · 42 Comments · Jump to Recipe

American-style goulash is a one-pot comfort dish of ground beef and noodles simmered in a zesty tomato sauce, an easy recipe to make that always satisfies. Learn how to make it!

American Goulash Recipe

It's goulash time, my friends! I grew up with dishes like this, simple one-pot meals with lots of ground meats and noodles, easy to make comfort foods that don't take much time or effort.

Dishes like this make sense to busy people who need to feed a hungry family. This American Goulash recipe is the perfect example of this. It's so easy to make with seasoned ground beef cooked up with elbow noodles in a tomato based sauce.

I say "American Goulash" because while here in the U.S. we may think of this as a classic goulash recipe, there is another famous goulash called "Hungarian Goulash" that is quite different.

American Goulash Vs. Hungarian Goulash

American goulash may have evolved from Hungarian goulash, but they have become quite different over the years. Old World, traditional Hungarian goulash was a simple stew of meats cooked in pot with paprika, thickened by the collagen of the meat in the slow cooking process.

It evolved to become more like a beef soup or stew with vegetables added in, like potatoes and carrots.

American goulash evolved to use ground meats instead. It also evolved to incorporate an obvious Italian influence, opting for more Italian seasonings, and a tomato-based sauce.

You may have heard it referred to as "American chop suey" "Slumgullion", "Beefaroni", or "Johnny Marzetti", among others.

This recipe is similar to the one I grew up with, though I like to add in a few optional additions to spice things up, as I usually do.

Let's talk about how to make goulash, shall we?

Goulash Ingredients

Olive Oil. For cooking.
Vegetables. Onion, green bell pepper, garlic. I like to use 2-3 jalapeno peppers in place of the green pepper for a spicier version.
Lean Ground Beef. You can also use ground turkey or pork for a lighter version.
Seasonings. Use your favorite Italian seasoning blend, or use a mixture of dried basil, oregano, rosemary, and thyme. Also, paprika (I like hot paprika), salt and black pepper, and bay leaves. Simple seasoned salt is also a popular addition, found in many American kitchens.
Canned Tomatoes. Canned are best for making this recipe easy. I prefer fire roasted tomatoes for a flavor boost, but you can use canned diced tomatoes or tomato sauce.
Beef Broth. Beef bouillon is great for this.
Worcestershire Sauce.
Elbow Macaroni Noodles. You can use others, but these are more traditional.
Cheddar Cheese. Optional, if you'd like a slightly cheesy version.
Optional Additions. Red pepper flakes and hot sauce, for Mike's spicy twist.

How to Make Goulash - the Recipe Method

This is a general overview of how to make goulash. You can find the printable full recipe with measurements in the recipe card below.

First, cook down the onions and peppers with a bit of oil in a large pot or Dutch oven a few minutes, then brown the ground beef and cook is mostly through.

Cooking vegetables and meat in a pot to make easy American Goulash

Next, cook in the spices and garlic a minute or so, then toss in the roasted tomatoes and liquids along with bay leaf and salt and pepper.

Don't forget the hot sauce!

Simmer the pot to develop the flavors, 30 minutes or so, then stir in the noodles. Cook about 20 minutes or so, stirring occasionally, just until the noodles are done to your liking.

The sauce cooks the pasta. I like the noodles cooked right in the sauce, but you can cook them separately and just stir them in.

Simmering the goulash in a pot with pasta noodles

For a cheesy version, stir in shredded cheese and cook until nicely melted through.

Boom! Done! Your goulash is ready to serve. Easy enough to make, isn't it? This is a huge pot and will serve lots of people!

Recipe Tips & Notes

The Seasonings. Most recipes call for a simple blend of Italian seasonings, though feel free to use your favorites. I find this recipe enjoyable to make when I add in a good mix of different spices.
The Noodles. Most classic goulash recipes use elbow macaroni noodles, but you can use any noodles. Smaller noodles are best, as opposed to long noodles, like spaghetti noodles.
The Ground Meats. Ground beef is traditional for goulash, but use ground turkey, chicken, or pork for a lighter version. It's really interesting with Mexican chorizo and Mexican spices for a Mexican spin!
Mike's Spicy Twists. I like to swap out the bell peppers for jalapeno peppers. I add hot paprika, though you can add cayenne, as well as spicy chili flakes. I also love it with a few dashes (or more!) of habanero hot sauce. I just have to be careful not to make it too spicy for Patty!

Leftovers and Storage

Leftover goulash will last up to 5 days in the refrigerator in a sealed container. It isn't bad served cold, but is easily reheated in a microwave or tossed in a hot pan.

You can also freeze it for 2-3 months, though the noodles can get a bit mushy after thawing.

That's it, my friends. I hope you enjoy this easy goulash recipe. It's an American classic goulash! Let me know if you make it. I hope you spiced it up a little!

Try Some of My Other Popular Recipes

Easy American Goulash in a bowl, ready to serve

Got any questions? Ask away! I’m happy to help. If you enjoy this recipe, I hope you’ll leave a comment with some STARS. Also, please share it on social media. Don’t forget to tag us at #ChiliPepperMadness. I’ll be sure to share! Thanks! — Mike H.

American Goulash Recipe

American-style goulash is a comforting dish of ground beef and noodles simmered in a zesty tomato sauce, different from Hungarian goulash, so easy to make! Plus, you can easily spice it up!

Save Recipe

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Keyword: ground beef, noodles, paprika, tomatoes

Prep Time: 10

Cook Time: 40

Calories: 413kcal

Author: Mike Hultquist

Servings:

Tap or hover to scale

5 from 15 votes

Leave a Review

Ingredients

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 medium onion diced
1 large green bell pepper diced (use 2-3 jalapeno peppers for a spicier version)
1.5 pounds ground beef
4 garlic cloves minced
2 tablespoons Italian seasoning blend or use 2 teaspoons dried basil, 2 teaspoons oregano, 1 teaspoon rosemary, and 1 teaspoon thyme
1 tablespoon paprika I use hot paprika
1 teaspoon red pepper flakes optional, for spicy – use more as desired
Salt and pepper to taste
4 15-ounce cans fire roasted tomatoes or use canned diced tomatoes
3 cups beef broth
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1 bay leaf
Hot sauce to taste (optional, for spicy)
2 cups macaroni noodles uncooked (elbow macaroni)
1 cup cheddar cheese shredded (or more to taste. Optional - you can use other melty cheeses if preferred)

Instructions

Heat the oil in a large pot or Dutch oven to medium heat. Add the onion and peppers and cook 3-4 minutes to soften.
Add the ground beef and break apart with a wooden spoon. Cook for 5 minutes, until browned and mostly cooked through.
Add the garlic, Italian seasonings, paprika, red pepper flakes (if using) and salt and pepper to taste. Cook 1 minute, stirring, until the garlic becomes fragrant and the spices bloom.
Add the roasted tomatoes, beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, and bay leaf, and salt and pepper. Also add optional hot sauce, if using. Stir to combine.
Cover and simmer 20 minutes to let the flavors develop.
Stir in the macaroni noodles and simmer, uncovered, stirring occasionally for 20 minutes, or until the noodles are softened to your liking.
For a cheesy version, stir in cheese and cook until nicely melted through, 2-3 minutes.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 413kcal Carbohydrates: 25g Protein: 23g Fat: 24g Saturated Fat: 10g Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g Monounsaturated Fat: 10g Trans Fat: 1g Cholesterol: 75mg Sodium: 548mg Potassium: 474mg Fiber: 2g Sugar: 2g Vitamin A: 729IU Vitamin C: 14mg Calcium: 161mg Iron: 3mg

Did You Enjoy This Recipe?I love hearing how you like it and how you made it your own. Leave a comment below and tag @ChiliPepperMadness on social media.

NOTE: This recipe was updated on 3/25/24 to include new information. It was originally published on 12/16/22.

American Goulash Recipe

American Goulash Recipe

American Goulash Vs. Hungarian Goulash

Goulash Ingredients

How to Make Goulash - the Recipe Method

Recipe Tips & Notes

Leftovers and Storage

Try Some of My Other Popular Recipes