Go Back
+ servings
american goulash in a beige dutch oven with a ladle inside.
Print Recipe Add to Collection
4.43 from 45 votes

American Goulash

This American Goulash is the epitome of comfort food, marrying succulent ground beef, perfectly tender elbow macaroni, and a deeply flavorful tomato sauce all in one pot. Quick to prepare and delightfully satisfying, it's the perfect dish to turn a regular dinner into a heartwarming feast.
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time45 minutes
Total Time1 hour
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American
Keyword: american goulash, chop suey
Servings: 8
Calories: 438kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • pounds ground beef lean or extra lean
  • ½ teaspoon salt or to taste
  • ½ teaspoon pepper or to taste
  • 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
  • 1 medium yellow onion chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 28 ounces diced tomatoes 1 can
  • 2 cups passata or tomato sauce
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 2 cups beef broth low sodium
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 2 cups elbow macaroni dry, uncooked
  • cups cheddar cheese
  • 1 tablespoon parsley freshly chopped, for garnish

Instructions

  • Add the olive oil to a large dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef, salt and pepper, and cook for 3-4 minutes, breaking it up as it cooks. If needed, discard excess grease from the pan, leaving behind 1-2 tablespoons.
    process shots showing how to make american goulash.
  • Stir in the Italian seasoning, and onion. Cook for another 3-4 minutes, or until the onion softens and becomes translucent. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute, or until aromatic.
    process shots showing how to make american goulash.
  • Stir in the diced tomatoes, passata, soy sauce, beef broth, and bay leaves. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Cover and simmer the sauce for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
    process shots showing how to make american goulash.
  • Add the macaroni and cook, covered, stirring occasionally, for 12-15 minutes or until the noodles are tender.
    process shots showing how to make american goulash.
  • Stir in the cheese, garnish with parsley, and serve.
    process shots showing how to make american goulash.

Video

Notes

  1. Adapt to your taste: Feel free to modify the spices or ingredients according to your preference. If you like a bit of heat, add some chili flakes. If you prefer a cheesier goulash, add more cheese.
  2. Ground Meat: While the recipe calls for ground beef, you could substitute with ground turkey or chicken. Just note that the flavor may change slightly.
  3. Pasta: This recipe uses elbow macaroni, but you can use any other small pasta shapes you have on hand. Remember to adjust the cooking time based on the type of pasta you're using.
  4. Vegetable Add-ins: If you want to add more nutrition or make the dish more colorful, feel free to toss in some bell peppers, peas, corn, or other veggies of your choice.
  5. Storage: This goulash stores beautifully, making it a great option for meal prep. It can be refrigerated for up to 4 days and frozen for up to 3 months. Remember to store it in an airtight container.
  6. Reheating: If the goulash thickens up too much in the fridge, loosen it with a splash of broth or water when reheating.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 438kcal | Carbohydrates: 39g | Protein: 30g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 76mg | Sodium: 757mg | Potassium: 999mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 702IU | Vitamin C: 18mg | Calcium: 227mg | Iron: 5mg