This easy Goulash Recipe is a family favorite and the ultimate comfort food! Macaroni noodles are cooked in a hearty meat sauce and then covered in melted cheese, making this the best American goulash ever!
American Goulash Recipe
We absolutely love this easy Goulash Recipe, and your family will too! This is the perfect one-pot meal that comes together in a snap for a weeknight dinner. This recipe is the classic American Goulash version and a regular in our house, but also great for potlucks because it makes a large amount and is budget friendly. Kids really love this dinner as well!
What is the Difference between Hungarian Goulash and American Goulash?
Hungarian Goulash is more like a stew with meat and veggies, while American Goulash is a quick dish made from ground beef, seasoned tomato sauce, and elbow macaroni noodles. This recipe also goes by the name of American Chop Suey.
Ingredients Needed
Here’s what you’ll need to make Easy Goulash Recipe (the exact measurements are below in the easy to print recipe card).
- Olive oil – you’ll cook the onion, pepper, and ground beef in the oil. If you prefer, you can use a different oil, such as vegetable oil.
- Onion – either a yellow or white onion works well.
- Green bell pepper – bell peppers are mild, but add great flavor to the goulash.
- Beef – Lean ground beef
- Garlic – fresh peeled and minced garlic is the best for this recipe.
- The Sauce – Canned tomato sauce, petite diced tomatoes, beef broth, Worcestershire Sauce, seasoned salt, Italian seasoning, and bay leaves.
- Macaroni noodles – be sure you do not cook the macaroni before adding it to the beef goulash. It will cook as it simmers together with the meat and sauce.
- Cheddar cheese – you’ll add this right at the end to make the goulash nice and cheesy.
How To Make American Goulash
This takes just 15-20 Minutes to prepare!
- Add olive oil to large pot or Dutch oven and heat over medium-high heat.
- Mix the onion, bell pepper, and ground beef then cook, stirring often, until the beef is fully browned. Drain off any excess fat. Next, add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
- Pour in the tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, seasoned salt, Italian seasoning, and bay leaves.
- Add the uncooked macaroni noodles.
- Stir well and bring mixture to a boil over medium-high heat.
- Reduce the heat to low and allow the mixture to simmer, stirring occasionally, for about 20 minutes until the pasta is tender. Remove the bay leaves and stir in the cheddar cheese just before serving.
- So delicious and cheesy!
What to Serve with American Goulash
Here are a few side dish options to serve with this goulash recipe.
- Additional Toppings – Extra cheese, sour cream, and/or fresh chopped parsley.
- Bread – Olive Garden bread sticks, garlic knots, French bread or Cheesecake Factory brown bread are great choices.
- Salad – a side garden salad is great or this delicious avocado salad.
- Veggies – We love sauteed green beans with this recipe.
Variations
Easy Goulash Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- 1 large onion peeled and diced
- 1 green bell pepper seeded and diced
- 2 pounds lean ground beef
- 3 cloves garlic peeled and minced
- 2 (15 ounce) cans of tomato sauce
- 2 (15 ounce) cans of petite diced tomatoes
- 3 cups beef broth
- 3 Tablespoons Worcestershire Sauce
- 2 teaspoons seasoned salt
- 2 teaspoons Italian Seasoning
- 3 bay leaves
- 2 cups macaroni noodles uncooked
- 2 cups cheddar cheese shredded
Instructions
- Add olive oil to large pot or Dutch oven and heat over medium-high heat. Add the onion, bell pepper, and ground beef then cook, stirring often, until the beef is fully browned. Drain off any excess fat. Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
- Add the tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, seasoned salt, Italian seasoning, bay leaves, and uncooked macaroni noodles. Stir well and bring mixture to a boil over medium-high heat.
- Reduce the heat to low and allow the mixture to simmer, stirring occasionally, for about 20 minutes until the pasta is tender.
- Remove the bay leaves and stir in the cheddar cheese just before serving.