Let’s talk about comfort food. Not the fancy, complicated kind, but the real deal. The kind that simmers on the stove and fills your whole house with a smell that feels like a warm, welcoming hug.

That’s what this goulash is. It’s the ultimate weeknight hero, a one-pot wonder that asks for so little and gives back so much. Tender pasta, hearty ground beef, and a rich, tomatoey sauce that all comes together in about half an hour.

This is the food of childhood memories and busy adult evenings. It’s unpretentious, deeply satisfying, and incredibly easy to make. So, grab your biggest pot. Let’s make something wonderful.

Ingredients Needed for the Recipe

This is all about simple, pantry-friendly ingredients. Here’s your shopping list for a big, comforting pot of goulash.

• Olive Oil (1 tbsp): Just a splash to get things started and sauté our veggies.
• Onion (1 cup, diced): The sweet, savory foundation of so much good flavor.
• Green Bell Pepper (1, diced): Adds a slight crunch and a sweet, earthy note.
• Ground Beef (2 lbs., lean): The hearty star of the show. Lean beef means less fat to drain.
• Garlic (3 tsp, minced): Because what’s a savory dish without that gorgeous, aromatic punch?
• Tomato Sauce (2 15 oz cans): Creates the smooth, rich base of our sauce.
• Petite Diced Tomatoes (2 15 oz cans): These little guys add wonderful texture and bursts of fresh tomato flavor.
• Beef Broth (3 cups): The liquid that cooks our pasta and brings all the flavors together.
• Worcestershire Sauce (3 tbsp): A secret weapon for adding deep, savory, umami complexity.
• Seasoned Salt (2 tsp): A classic blend that adds a well-rounded salty, herby flavor.
• Italian Seasoning (2 tbsp): A mix of dried herbs like oregano, basil, and thyme that makes everything taste amazing.
• Bay Leaves (3): They infuse a subtle, almost floral depth. Remember to fish them out later!
• Macaroni Noodles (2 cups, uncooked): The perfect shape to cradle all that saucy goodness.
• Cheddar Cheese (1 cup, shredded): Stirred in at the end for a creamy, cheesy, glorious finish.

How to make Easy Goulash Recipe?

Now for the best part—making it all come together in one pot. It’s a simple process that feels almost magical.

Step 1: Brown the Beef and Veggies

Place your largest pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add that tablespoon of olive oil. Now, in goes the onion, bell pepper, and all that ground beef.

Cook it all together, breaking up the beef with your spoon, until the meat is no longer pink. Drain off any excess fat—this keeps things from getting greasy. Return the pot to the heat.

Step 2: Wake Up the Garlic

Add the minced garlic to the pot. Now, just stir it for about 30 seconds. You’ll know it’s ready when you get that incredible, fragrant smell hitting your nose.

Don’t let it burn! Burnt garlic turns bitter, and we want all its lovely flavor.

Step 3: Combine Everything and Simmer

This is where the magic happens. Pour in the tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, beef broth, and Worcestershire sauce. Now, add all your seasonings: the seasoned salt, Italian seasoning, and those bay leaves.

Finally, stir in the dry macaroni noodles. Bring the whole wonderful mess to a boil. Then, reduce the heat to a light boil. Let it simmer, stirring occasionally, for about 20 minutes.

Step 4: Finish with Cheese and Serve

After 20 minutes, your pasta should be perfectly tender and the sauce will have thickened beautifully. First thing: find and remove those bay leaves.

Now, take the pot off the heat. Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese until it’s all melted and creamy. Ladle it into bowls and serve it immediately. Pure comfort in every single bite.

Why This Dish is a Family Favorite

This recipe is more than just food; it’s a peace treaty for the dinner table. It’s the meal that gets even the pickiest eaters to clean their plates without a single complaint.

It’s incredibly forgiving. A little more of this, a little less of that—it always turns out delicious. It’s the definition of a no-stress, crowd-pleasing dinner.

It also makes a ton of food. This is the recipe you make when you need to feed a crowd, want leftovers for days, or are heading to a potluck. It’s generosity in a pot.

Tips

• A few little tricks can make your goulash absolutely perfect. Here’s how to nail it every single time.
• Use the biggest pot you own. This recipe makes a generous amount, and you need plenty of room for everything to simmer happily without bubbling over.
• Don’t skip draining the fat from the cooked ground beef. It’s a quick step that makes a huge difference in the final texture and prevents a greasy sauce.
• Taste it before you serve! Once the pasta is cooked, give it a taste and adjust the seasoning if needed. Maybe a pinch more salt or a crack of black pepper. Make it yours.

How to Store and Reheat

The beautiful thing about goulash? It might be even better the next day, after the flavors have had more time to get to know each other in the fridge.

Let the goulash cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. It will keep beautifully in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Reheating is a breeze. The best way is on the stovetop over medium-low heat. Add a small splash of beef broth or water to loosen the sauce back up as it warms. Stir gently until it’s heated through.

Ingredient Substitutions

Don’t let a missing ingredient stop you from making this. This recipe is wonderfully flexible and open to interpretation.

No macaroni? Any small pasta will work brilliantly. Try elbow noodles, shells, or even rotini. They’ll all grab onto the sauce perfectly.

You can easily use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef for a lighter version. The flavor will be a little different, but still utterly delicious.

Feel free to switch up the cheese. Sharp cheddar is classic, but Monterey Jack, Colby Jack, or even a pepper jack for a little kick would be fantastic stirred in at the end.

Best Time to Serve This Dish

This is the ultimate any-night meal. It’s your answer to a crazy Tuesday when you need something fast, filling, and guaranteed to please everyone.

It’s also perfect for a casual weekend gathering. Set the pot in the middle of the table with a big spoon and let everyone serve themselves. It’s the epitome of easy, comfortable entertaining.

And of course, it’s the ultimate cozy weather food. A big bowl of this on a chilly, rainy, or snowy day is pretty much the best medicine there is.

Print Recipe

Easy Goulash Recipe

Author: katie Smith Cooking Method: Skillet Cuisine: American Courses: Main Course

Difficulty: easy Prep Time 10 mins Cook Time 25 mins Total Time 35 mins

Servings: 6 Estimated Cost: $ 10 Calories: 480

Best Season: Fall, Winter, Spring

Description

This super easy Goulash Recipe is a comfort food classic! It’s filled with hearty ground beef and tender pasta in a rich tomato-based sauce and comes together in about 30 minutes. Perfect for busy weeknights, potlucks, or feeding a crowd, this one-pot wonder delivers big flavor with minimal effort.

Ingredients

Servings

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 cup onion (diced, white or yellow)
• 1 green bell pepper (diced)
• 2 lbs ground beef (lean)
• 3 tsp garlic (minced)
• 2 15 oz cans tomato sauce
• 2 15 oz cans petite diced tomatoes
• 3 cups beef broth
• 3 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 2 tsp seasoned salt
• 2 tbsp Italian seasoning
• 3 bay leaves
• 2 cups macaroni noodles (uncooked, small pasta)
• 1 cup cheddar cheese (shredded)

Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
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2. Add diced onion, green bell pepper, and ground beef. Cook until beef is browned and vegetables are softened, breaking up the meat as it cooks. Drain excess fat if needed.
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3. Stir in minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
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4. Pour in tomato sauce, diced tomatoes (with juice), beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, seasoned salt, Italian seasoning, and bay leaves. Stir well to combine.
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5. Add uncooked macaroni noodles to the pot. Stir to submerge them in the liquid.
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6. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer. Cover and cook for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is tender and sauce has thickened.
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7. Remove bay leaves. Stir in shredded cheddar cheese until melted and creamy.
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8. Serve hot, garnished with extra cheese or fresh herbs if desired.
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Nutrition Facts

Servings 6

Serving Size 1 serving (about 1.5 cups)

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Amount Per Serving

Calories 480kcal

% Daily Value *

Total Fat 23gg36%

Saturated Fat 9gg45%

Trans Fat 1gg

Cholesterol 85mgmg29%

Sodium 980mgmg41%

Potassium 890mgmg26%

Total Carbohydrate 38gg13%

Dietary Fiber 5gg20%

Sugars 8gg

Protein 32gg64%

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Calcium 180mg mg

Iron 5.5mg mg

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Note

• Pasta Tip: Use elbow macaroni or any small pasta like ditalini or small shells. Avoid overcooking to prevent mushiness.
• Make it Creamier: Stir in ½ cup sour cream or cream cheese at the end for extra richness.
• Add More Veggies: Toss in corn, peas, carrots, spinach, or zucchini for added nutrition.
• Leaner Option: Substitute ground turkey or chicken for ground beef to reduce fat.
• Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat with a splash of broth to loosen the sauce.
• Freezing: Freeze in portions for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Keywords: goulash recipe, American goulash, easy goulash, one pot goulash, ground beef goulash, comfort food dinner, quick dinner recipe