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American Goulash is my kind of comfort food! It’s rich, savory, and full of that cozy, tomato-y goodness. It’s hearty, easy to make, and one bite will have you hooked just like my family is!
A Reader’s Review
Perfect. Followed the recipe! Tasted better than my Mom’s! Thank you for sharing.
How This Goulash Stole My Heart (and Fork)
- One-pot: Everything cooks together in a single pot, which means less cleanup and more flavor as the pasta soaks up the rich, seasoned sauce.
- Family-friendly: Kids love it, but it’s also packed with hearty, comforting flavor that adults can feel good about!
- Freezer-friendly: Perfect for meal prep! Make a batch, freeze it, and enjoy the same rich flavor and texture!
How To Make American Goulash
Making this classic American goulash recipe couldn’t be easier. Cook the beef and onion, and then throw everything together and let it simmer. You’ll have time to make my 1-hour rolls and green goddess salad to have on the side.
- Brown the Meat: Add 2 pounds of ground beef to a large stockpot over medium high heat. Cook and brown the beef for 7-8 minutes. Remove the meat from the pot and drain, leaving about 1-2 tablespoons of grease in the pot.
- Cook the Onion: Add diced onion and cook for about 5 minutes over medium heat until tender. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute.
- Make Soup Base: Return the cooked beef to the pot. Add water, beef base, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, soy sauce, Italian seasoning, seasoned salt, paprika, black pepper, and bay leaves. Stir to combine, then bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes.
- Add Noodles & Simmer: Stir in uncooked noodles. Cover and simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until al dente. Stir occasionally to prevent the noodles from sticking to the bottom. Just before serving, stir in cheese. Garnish your goulash with fresh chopped Italian parsley on top before serving!
What’s the Difference Between Hungarian and American Goulash?
Hungarian goulash is a hearty stew loaded with meat, vegetables, and plenty of paprika. Hungarian sometimes uses dumplings or potatoes instead of pasta. American goulash skips the extra veggies (aside from the tomato based sauce) and goes all-in with macaroni noodles and cheese. You might also hear it called “American chop suey.”
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Classic American Goulash
Ingredients
- 2 pounds ground beef
- 1 large diced onion
- 4 cloves minced garlic
- 3 cups water
- 1 tablespoon beef base or bouillon
- 2 (15-ounce) cans tomato sauce
- 2 (15-ounce) cans diced tomatoes (one petite diced)
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons Italian seasoning
- 1 tablespoon seasoned salt
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 3 bay leaves
- 2 cups elbow macaroni noodles uncooked
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- fresh chopped Italian parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Add 1 large diced onion and cook for about 5 minutes over medium heat until tender. Add 4 cloves minced garlic and cook for 1 minute.
- Return the cooked beef to the pot. Add 3 cups water, 1 tablespoon beef base, 2 (15-ounce) cans tomato sauce, 2 (15-ounce) cans diced tomatoes, 3 tablespoons soy sauce, 2 tablespoons Italian seasoning, 1 tablespoon seasoned salt, 2 teaspoons paprika, ½ teaspoon black pepper, and 3 bay leaves. Stir to combine, then bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes.
- Stir in 2 cups elbow macaroni noodles. Cover and simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until al dente. Stir occasionally to prevent the noodles from sticking to the bottom.
- Just before serving, stir in 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese. Garnish with fresh chopped Italian parsley on top before serving!
Video
Notes
- Fridge: Store cooled goulash in an airtight container for 3–4 days.
- Freezer: Freeze in a labeled, airtight container or bag for up to 3 months.
- Reheat: From fridge—warm on stove or microwave in 1–2 min intervals. From freezer—thaw overnight, then reheat on stove.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
More Hearty Soups to Try
When it gets cold outside, I love making a big pot of soup! It warms my soul as well as my heart! Here are some of my favorites!
Very good. Lean hamburger doesn’t leave a tablespoon of grease, so I use 80% or 85%.
Perfect. Followed the recipe! Tasted better than my Mom’s! 😀 Thank you for sharing.
Looking for cream cheese recip that has pretzel crust. Can’t find it again
Hi Nona, I think you are looking for either my strawberry pretzel salad, or raspberry pretzel salad. If not, give me some more details so I can help you find what you’re looking for!
I made this last night and was delicious! Made it for my picky eater who is from New England and refers to this as American Chop Suey. These were the variations I made. 1lb ground beef, 1 can beef broth plus slightly more than 1/2 can water. 29 oz, can crushed tomatoes, 2 8 oz. cans tomato sauce, 1 6 oz. can tomato paste. Substituted soy sauce with Worcestershire sauce. No cheese. I read several complaints about too much Italian seasoning but I thought it was just fine. My picky eater approved. Thanks for an EZ and tasty recipe!!
Used to make this when I was young only I just called it Goulash. And never put soy sauce in mine. Will try it out and see if it changes how it tastes.?
Made this tonight for the first time. IT WAS DELICIOUS! Only made half the recipe since there is only 2 of us. I did change up a couple things because I had to ingredients on hand…
1. I used mild Italian sausage instead of hamburger.
2. I used beef broth instead of water AND also used the “Beef Better Then Bouillon.
Recipe will definitely be a rerun many times!
This was very good I would make it again. The only thing I would do is cook the noodles a little more
I made this a great recipe family enjoyed
We’re limping along until payday so I made a couple substitutions, but regardless this was AWESOME! I made 1/2 batch and used ground turkey, condensed tomato soup, chicken bouillon, and a little extra water to make up for the smaller soup cans (I had 22 oz of soup, so I used an extra 8 oz of water lol). Also used tubetti pasta instead of macaroni noodles. My 5 year old daughter was thrilled, she declared it “More delicious than I expected” and “We should make this more often”
Getting creative and getting compliments from your 5 year old, sounds to me like you’re winning in life! I’m so glad you guys liked it!
Best goulash I have tried! Recipe is perfect as is! It’s a hit with the family.
Have made many variations of American goulash over the years, but this one is by far one of thee best! I loved all of the different spices and herbs, the soy sauce ect, it all came together to create a super flavour filled meal. The family absolutely gave it 2 thumbs up! Served with warm dinner rolls and a veggie filled salad.
Very like this recipe. Mostly I used all the ingredients but made of few changes to it. I omitted the tomatoes sause, water and use 3 cups beef broth. I use 1/2 onions diced and add green bell pepper (diced). My family did prefer use less spice or omit some of the spices. But overall, they like it.
Thank you so much for sharing this recipe. Would like to make it again.
This recipe is delicious. I did omit the tomatoes sause and used 3 cups of beef broth instead. I did use less onion and add one bell pepper. All the rest of the ingredients, I use as it is written. For my family they did prefer to I use less spice that it is written on this recipe. But overall, my family and myself like this recipe and would use it again.
Delish! I had to make some modifications for what I had and didn’t have on hand, and it was so tasty. I used one pound ground beef and one pound of ground mild Italian sausage, worchestershire instead of soy, and a can of beef consommé with two cups of water. Will make this again for sure!
How can you rate a recipe as published when you’ve changed the recipe?If you’re going to publish your own recipe,then just make a comment don’t rate your own recipe.
I have made the recipe a month ago and made no changes to original.That’s why the 5 stars
I’ve tried many goulash recipes, but this one was the tastiest! It’s a keeper for sure! My family who is very fussy, loved it. I made some garlic bread for dipping into the juices & cleaning up the bowl. I highly recommend this goulash.
Made tonight, very salty. I wouldn’t use soy sauce Next time around.