Homestyle American Goulash Recipe: Hearty Comfort in a Bowl

Comfort food takes center stage with this classic american goulash that promises to warm your soul on chilly evenings.

Rich, meaty, and packed with bold flavors, this one-pot wonder delivers pure satisfaction in every bite.

Each spoonful brings memories of traditional home cooking straight from midwestern kitchens.

Tender ground beef mingles with perfectly seasoned pasta and a robust tomato sauce that sings with depth.

Simple ingredients come together to create something truly magical for weeknight dinners.

Families gather around the table, eager to savor this timeless dish that never goes out of style.

This recipe transforms ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary meal you’ll crave again and again.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Calories: 360 kcal

Servings: 7

Everything For American Goulash

• Onion: Builds foundational flavor with sweet, mellow undertones that enhance the overall depth of the goulash.
• Bell Pepper: Adds crisp texture and vibrant color while providing a subtle vegetable sweetness to the dish.
• Garlic: Delivers bold, pungent notes that amplify the savory essence of the goulash.
• Olive Oil: Creates perfect sautéing medium and introduces a light, fruity undertone to the base.

• Ground Beef: Provides hearty protein and rich meaty flavor as the primary substance of the goulash.
• Salt: Heightens and balances all other ingredient flavors, ensuring a well-seasoned dish.
• Black Pepper: Introduces gentle heat and aromatic sharpness to complement the beef.
• Paprika: Brings warm, slightly sweet Hungarian-style complexity and beautiful reddish color.
• Italian Seasoning: Contributes herbal complexity with dried herbs like oregano and basil.
• Worcestershire Sauce: Adds umami depth and tangy complexity to elevate the meat's richness.

• Tomato Paste: Concentrates tomato flavor and helps thicken the sauce with deep, rich undertones.
• Tomato Sauce: Creates smooth, classic sauce base with bright acidic notes.
• Diced Tomatoes: Provide chunky texture and fresh tomato brightness.
• Beef Broth: Builds liquid foundation with additional meaty depth.
• Elbow Macaroni: Serves as hearty, comforting starch that absorbs and melds with sauce.

Helpful Equipment For American Goulash

• Large Pot: Essential for sautéing, browning, and simmering all ingredients.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Perfect for stirring ingredients and preventing sticking.
• Colander: Helpful for draining excess fat from ground beef.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Ensures accurate ingredient quantities for balanced flavor.
• Sharp Knife: Needed for chopping onions and bell peppers.
• Cutting Board: Provides a clean surface for ingredient preparation.

How To Make American Goulash

• Kickstart Flavor Base

Heat a large pot and sizzle onions and bell peppers until they become soft and fragrant. Toss in garlic and let it dance around for a minute, releasing its delicious aroma.

• Transform Ground Beef

Introduce ground beef to the pot, breaking it into small pieces. Cook until the meat turns a rich brown color. Sprinkle in seasonings and tomato paste, creating a deep, robust foundation.

• Create Hearty Sauce

Pour in tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, beef broth, and Worcestershire sauce. Blend everything together and let the mixture bubble gently, developing complex layers of flavor.

• Merge Pasta Magic

Add elbow macaroni directly into the sauce. Cover the pot and let everything simmer, stirring occasionally, until the pasta becomes perfectly tender and absorbs all the delicious liquid.

• Final Flourish

Pull the pot off the heat. If desired, stir in some cheddar cheese for extra creaminess. Allow the goulash to rest briefly, letting the sauce thicken and intensify its mouthwatering character.

Tasty Add-Ons For American Goulash

• Cooking Low and Slow: Simmer the goulash on low heat to allow flavors to meld perfectly, creating a rich and deeply satisfying dish that tastes like it's been cooking all day.
• Cheese Lover's Twist: Experiment with different cheese varieties like sharp cheddar, pepper jack, or a blend of cheeses to add extra depth and personalize the flavor profile of your goulash.
• Make-Ahead Magic: This recipe freezes beautifully for up to 3 months. Store in airtight containers and reheat gently, adding a splash of broth to restore moisture and freshness.
• Gluten-Free Option: Swap regular elbow macaroni with gluten-free pasta or cauliflower rice to make this classic comfort food accessible for those with dietary restrictions. Ensure all other ingredients are gluten-free certified.
• Veggie Power Boost: Sneak in extra nutrition by adding diced zucchini, spinach, or mushrooms during the vegetable sautéing stage. These additions create more layers of flavor and boost the dish's nutritional value without changing its core character.

Serve American Goulash Your Way

• Party Pleaser Platter: Serve this hearty goulash on a large wooden board with crusty bread slices around the edges, creating a rustic, inviting presentation that encourages family-style sharing.
• Comfort Classic Companion: Pair with a crisp green salad topped with cucumber and cherry tomatoes to balance the rich, meaty flavors and add a fresh counterpoint to the warm dish.
• Cheese Lover's Dream: Sprinkle extra sharp cheddar or parmesan on top just before serving, allowing the cheese to slightly melt and create an irresistible golden crust that enhances the goulash's depth.
• Hearty Side Kick: Add a dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt on top to bring a cool, tangy element that cuts through the robust meat and adds a creamy texture to each bite.

Store American Goulash Without Trouble

• Quick Refrigeration Strategies: Store leftovers in airtight containers within 2 hours of cooking. Chilled goulash stays fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator, maintaining delicious flavors and textures.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the entire dish up to 2 days before serving. Simply reheat gently on stovetop, adding tiny splash of broth to revive moisture and prevent sticking.
• Freezer-Friendly Option: Transfer cooled goulash to freezer-safe containers. Seal tightly and freeze up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before reheating thoroughly.
• Smart Portion Control: Divide remaining goulash into individual serving containers. These grab-and-go meals work perfectly for quick lunches or busy weeknight dinners, ensuring no food goes to waste.

Hearty American Goulash Recipe

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4.6 from 26 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 7 1x

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Description

Hearty American goulash combines ground beef, pasta, and rich tomato sauce in a comforting Midwestern classic. Savory flavors meld together, creating a satisfying meal families will eagerly devour.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 lb (454 g) ground beef
• 2 cups elbow macaroni (uncooked)
• 2 cups beef broth
• 1 (15 oz/425 g) can tomato sauce
• 1 (15 oz/425 g) can diced tomatoes (with juice)
• 1 large onion, diced
• 1 green bell pepper, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tbsps tomato paste
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tsp salt
• 0.5 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional)

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Instructions

1. Sauté Base: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add diced onions and bell peppers, cooking until softened. Introduce minced garlic and sauté briefly to release its aromatic qualities.
2. Brown Protein: Add ground beef to the pot, breaking it into small pieces. Cook until the meat develops a golden-brown crust. Drain excess fat, then season with salt, black pepper, paprika, Italian herbs, and tomato paste. Stir to incorporate flavors thoroughly.
3. Build Liquid Foundation: Pour in tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, beef broth, and Worcestershire sauce. Mix ingredients completely, creating a rich, flavorful base. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
4. Cook Pasta: Submerge elbow macaroni into the simmering sauce. Cover the pot, reduce heat to low, and cook, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. Continue until pasta reaches perfect tenderness and absorbs the sauce’s robust flavors.
5. Finish and Rest: Remove from heat. Optional: Stir in sharp cheddar cheese for added creaminess. Let the goulash rest momentarily, allowing the sauce to thicken and flavors to meld before serving.

Notes

• Optimize Meat Selection: Choose lean ground beef (90/10 or 85/15) to reduce excess fat while maintaining rich flavor and preventing greasy texture.
• Control Liquid Absorption: Monitor pasta cooking carefully, adding extra broth if needed to prevent dryness and ensure perfectly tender macaroni without becoming mushy.
• Enhance Flavor Depth: Toast paprika and herbs briefly before adding liquid to unlock deeper, more complex taste profiles and intensify aromatic qualities.
• Customize for Dietary Needs: Substitute ground beef with plant-based alternatives, use gluten-free pasta, or swap dairy cheese with nutritional yeast for vegetarian and gluten-sensitive variations.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 360
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 39 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 22 g
• Cholesterol: 60 mg