Classic American Goulash
This classic American goulash is a hearty one-pot pasta dish with ground beef, tomatoes, and cheese.
American goulash is the kind of dinner that brings everyone to the table — warm, cheesy, and full of nostalgic flavor. This version features ground beef, elbow macaroni, and tomatoes, all simmered together in one pot for a no-fuss, budget-friendly meal.
With savory seasonings and a generous handful of cheddar stirred in at the end, it’s an easy weeknight dinner that feels like a hug in a bowl. You can also customize it with vegetables or spices to suit your taste. It’s no wonder this dish shows up on dinner tables across the country month after month.
Why You’ll Love It
One-pot simplicity. Meat, pasta, and sauce all cook together in a single pot for easy cleanup.
Hearty and filling. A complete meal with beef, macaroni, tomatoes, and cheese.
Customizable. Add veggies, spice it up, or swap in your favorite ground meat.
Family favorite. A kid-approved classic that’s easy to make and easy to love.
Ingredient Notes
- Ground beef – 85% lean is ideal; drain excess fat if needed.
- Onion and garlic – Aromatic base that adds depth of flavor.
- Green bell pepper – Adds subtle sweetness and color.
- Italian seasoning and bay leaf – For a savory, herbed flavor.
- Tomato sauce and diced tomatoes – Classic base for the goulash.
- Beef broth – Adds richness and helps cook the pasta.
- Elbow macaroni – Uncooked; simmers directly in the pot.
- Cheddar cheese – Stirred in at the end for a creamy finish.
Steps to Make American-Style Goulash
- Start by browning the beef with diced onion in a large Dutch oven or deep skillet.
- Add garlic, bell pepper, and seasonings, and let everything cook briefly to build flavor.
- Stir in the broth, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, Worcestershire, and uncooked macaroni.
- Bring the mixture to a simmer, then cover and cook gently until the pasta is tender.
- Once the macaroni is cooked, stir in the cheese until melted and creamy.
- Serve warm, with extra shredded cheese or fresh herbs on top if you like.
⏲️ Make-Ahead Tip
Prepare the goulash up to 1 day ahead and refrigerate in an airtight container. For best texture, slightly undercook the pasta, then reheat gently with a splash of broth or water just before serving.
Recipe Variations
- Vegetables. Add sautéed celery, carrots, mushrooms, corn, or peas.
- Tex-Mex style. Use black beans, corn, diced chiles, and taco seasoning.
- Meat swap. Ground turkey, pork, or chorizo all work well in place of beef.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve with garlic bread, cornbread, or crusty rolls.
- Pair with a green salad or steamed green beans.
- Add a sprinkle of Parmesan or hot sauce for extra flavor.
How to Store and Reheat
Refrigerate: Store in an airtight container and use within 4 days.
Freeze: Cool completely and freeze in portions for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
To Reheat: Warm in a skillet with a splash of broth or water, or microwave in short bursts, stirring between intervals.
Classic American Goulash
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 cup onion, diced
- 1 pound ground beef, I use 85%
- 2 teaspoons garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup green bell pepper, diced
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1 large bay leaf
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 1/2 cups beef broth
- 16 ounces tomato sauce
- 1 14.5-ounce can tomatoes, diced
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 1/2 cups elbow macaroni , (uncooked)
- 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
Instructions
- Brown the beef. Heat the vegetable oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the onion and ground beef and cook, breaking up the beef and stirring occasionally, until the onion is translucent and the beef is no longer pink, about 5 to 6 minutes. Remove some of the drippings if the beef is very fatty.
- Add the aromatics. Add the garlic, bell pepper, and Italian seasoning to the beef and cook for 1 minute longer.
- Add the tomatoes, seasonings, and pasta. Add the bay leaf, salt, pepper, beef broth, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, Worcestershire sauce, and macaroni. Stir to blend. Bring to a simmer, cover the pan, reduce the heat to low, and simmer for 20 minutes.
- Finish the dish. Check to make sure the macaroni is tender, and add the cheddar cheese, stirring until the cheese has melted. Taste for seasonings.
- Garnish and serve. Turn the goulash into a large serving bowl and garnish with chopped parsley or basil and extra cheese if desired.
Nutrition
Disclaimer:
Our nutritional information is based on a third-party application that analyzes the ingredients list to determine the values. The information is meant to be helpful, but should be considered an estimate. Values may differ depending on measurements, brands, serving variations, and database availability.
