American Goulash Recipe

5 from 1 vote

This American Goulash Recipe is a cozy, one-pot dinner with seasoned ground beef, tender elbow macaroni, and a tomato-rich sauce finished with melted cheddar. Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s a family-friendly meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights.

Prep Time5

Cook Time25

Total Time30

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Keyword: American Goulash Recipe, Goulash Recipe

Servings:

Calories: 547kcal

Author: Ryan Allen

Equipment

My Favorite Skillet

Ingredients

1 tablespoon olive oil
½ medium yellow onion diced
1 medium bell pepper diced
1 carrot peeled and finely diced
1 pound ground beef
3 teaspoons garlic minced
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
15 ounces petite diced tomatoes drained
24 ounce jar pasta sauce
3 cups low-sodium beef broth
2 cups elbow macaroni
2 bay leaves
1½ cup cheddar cheese

Instructions

Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add onion, bell pepper, and carrots; cook 3–4 minutes, stirring, until slightly softened.
Add ground beef and cook until no longer pink. Stir in minced garlic and cook 1 minute. Drain excess grease, then season with black pepper, paprika, and Italian seasoning.
Pour in diced tomatoes, pasta sauce, beef broth, elbow macaroni, and bay leaves. Stir to combine and bring to a boil. Reduce to a gentle boil, stirring occasionally, until pasta is tender, about 20 minutes.
Remove bay leaves and stir in cheddar cheese just before serving. Serve warm.

Video

Notes

Brown the ground beef well before adding liquids to build deeper flavor.
Simmer the pasta just until tender to avoid a mushy texture.
Let the goulash rest for a few minutes before serving so the sauce thickens naturally.
Adjust the consistency with a splash of broth if it thickens too much while standing.

Nutrition