Make This Hearty American Goulash In 7 Simple Steps
Looking for an easy dinner idea? This American goulash recipe is a comforting, one-pot meal made wicth ground beef, pasta, and a rich tomato sauce. It’s ready in about 30 minutes and is perfect for the whole family!
I love making this American goulash recipe because it’s a simple, wholesome meal that my whole family loves. It’s packed with flavor, uses ingredients I usually have on hand, and it’s a versatile and forgiving recipe. Plus, the one-pot method makes cleanup so easy! It’s the perfect solution for busy weeknights when I need a nutritious, delicious meal in no time
What is American Goulash?
American goulash is a hearty, one-pot dish made with ground meat, pasta, and flavorful tomato sauce. (You may also know it as “cheesy beef and noodles.”) Unlike Hungarian goulash, which has more of a stew-like consistency and uses paprika, the American version is more of a pasta-based meal, making it an easy and filling option for family dinners. It’s a simple comfort food that’s perfect for busy weeknights and can be made in just one pot.
Why Make This Recipe for American Goulash?
This easy goulash recipe is a great choice for family-friendly dinners. It offers a perfect blend of ground meat, tender pasta, and flavorful tomato sauce—all in one pot! Even better, it’s customizable and can be made with ingredients you probably already have on hand.
- It’s a one-pot meal: Preparing everything in one pot means way less cleanup!
- It’s versatile: You can swap out meats, add more veggies, or adjust spices to your liking.
- It’s quick and easy: It’s perfect for busy weeknights because it’s ready in about 30 minutes and in 7 simple steps.
- It’s a family favorite: It’s warm, hearty, and kid-approved.
American Goulash Ingredients
- Ground beef: We like to use grass-fed ground beef.
- Olive oil
- Zucchini: I tend to add diced zucchini to a lot of dishes. It is an easy way to add in veggies and also adds some texture to the dish.
- Yellow onion
- Garlic
- Elbow macaroni or penne pasta: Traditionally, elbow pasta is used in goulash, but I have used penne pasta as well.
- Beef bone broth: I like to add bone broth for extra nutrients! My go-to brand is Kettle & Fire from Costco or Trader Joe’s brand.
- Crushed tomatoes
- Marinara or pasta sauce
- Thyme, oregano, & basil: You can also use Italian seasoning.
- Salt & pepper
- Shredded cheddar and parmesan cheese: I like to buy the blocks of cheese and shred them myself! Pre-shredded cheese options contain cellulose to prevent caking, and I don’t like that.
American Goulash Variations
- Make an all-vegetable version! Instead of 2 lbs. of ground beef, mix in two pounds of zucchini, yellow squash, and eggplant.
- Use penne or spiral pasta instead of elbow pasta.
- Feel free to swap the fresh garlic for 1-2 teaspoons of garlic powder.
- Try using ground turkey, venison, or Italian sausage instead of the ground beef.
I hope you love this recipe!
American Goulash (aka Cheesy Beef & Noodles)
Make this comforting American Goulash in 7 simple steps for an easy, family-friendly dinner!
Ingredients
- 1 & 1/2 lb. grass-fed ground beef (or a mix of beef and venison)
- 1 T olive oil
- 1 lb. organic zucchini, diced
- 1 yellow onion, chopped
- 5 cloves garlic, finely diced
- 1 cup elbow macaroni or penne pasta
- 2 cups beef bone broth
- 1 large can organic crushed tomatoes (28oz)
- 1 jar marinara sauce or favorite pasta sauce
- 1 tsp. thyme*
- 1 & 1/2 tsp. oregano*
- 1/2 tsp. basil*
- 2 tsp. salt
- 1 tsp .pepper
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- Shredded Parmesan cheese for topping
Instructions
- In a large Dutch oven, brown the ground beef until it is completely cooked. Move the meat to the edges of the pan, add the olive oil into the middle space, then add the onion and garlic. Cook until the onion is translucent.
- Add diced zucchini to the pan and cook until slightly softened, mixing the vegetables in with the meat.
- Add the thyme, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper, and stir, coating the meat and vegetable mixture in the spices.
- Then add the can of crushed tomatoes and marinara sauce and stir well. Allow the mixture to simmer for about 20 minutes to continue cooking all ingredients.
- Add the uncooked pasta and the beef broth, and bring the mixture to a boil for about ten minutes, or until the pasta is tender.
- Once the pasta is cooked, remove it from the heat and stir in the shredded cheddar cheese. Once slightly cooled, transfer the mixture to bowls.
- Top individual bowls with fresh thyme, parsley, and Parmesan and serve with a salad and homemade rolls.
Notes
- *Instead of thyme, basil, and oregano, you can use 3 tsp Italian seasoning.
- Make an all-vegetable version! Instead of 2 lbs. of ground beef, mix in two pounds of zucchini, yellow squash, and eggplant.
- Use penne or spiral pasta instead of elbow pasta.
- Feel free to swap the fresh garlic for 1-2 teaspoons of garlic powder.
- Try using ground turkey, venison, or Italian sausage instead of ground beef.
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