Skip to content 
You know, there are those nights when you just need something warm, comforting, and ridiculously easy to whip up. Like, seriously, the kitchen is the last place you want to be after a long day, right? I totally get that – I’ve been there! That’s exactly why I’m so excited to share this amazing American Goulash with you. It’s like a hug in a bowl, and the best part?
It’s a true one-pot wonder that comes together in about 30 minutes flat. Perfect for those busy weeknights when you need a family-friendly meal that won’t break the bank. This recipe totally embodies what we’re all about here at Pure Cooking Joy: making incredibly delicious food approachable, unbelievably flavorful, and always, always made for sharing. You can read more about my journey and our philosophy over on the About Page, and feel free to connect with us on Facebook!
- Why You'll Love This American Goulash
- Ingredients for Your One Pot Goulash
- How to Make This Ground Beef Macaroni Dish
- Tips for the Best Tomato Pasta Skillet
- Variations and Serving Suggestions for Comfort Food
- Make-Ahead and Storage for Budget Meals
- Frequently Asked Questions about American Goulash
- Nutritional Information
- Share Your Thoughts!
Why You’ll Love This American Goulash
It’s super quick – seriously, we’re talking about a delicious dinner on the table in about 30 minutes. Perfect for those nights when time is just flying by.
It’s a one-pot wonder! Less mess, less fuss! Everything cooks together in one pot, making cleanup a breeze.
It’s budget-friendly, using simple, pantry-staple ingredients that are easy on your wallet. Great for keeping those grocery bills down!
It’s so comforting and saucy – that rich, savory tomato base with tender macaroni is pure comfort food magic. It’s got that perfect saucy texture everyone loves.
It’s family-approved! Picky eaters and grown-ups alike will gobble it up.
It’s a meal prep dream because it reheats beautifully, making it ideal for lunches or dinners later in the week.
Ingredients for Your One Pot Goulash
Okay, so for this fantastic American Goulash, you’re going to need some wonderfully simple ingredients you probably already have lurking in your pantry. That’s what makes it so great! We’re talking one pound of good old ground beef – I like to use 80/20 for great flavor, but you can totally adjust that to your preference.
Then we need one medium onion that’s been chopped up nice and fine, and about two cloves of garlic that we’ll mince. Trust me, that little bit of garlic makes a world of difference!
For that rich, savory tomato base, grab a big 28-ounce can of crushed tomatoes and four cups of beef broth. Don’t skimp on the broth; it’s what makes all that macaroni cook up perfectly. For seasoning, we’re keeping it classic and simple: one teaspoon of salt, half a teaspoon each of black pepper and paprika, and a quarter teaspoon of dried oregano. And of course, the star for many: one pound of elbow macaroni! If you don’t have elbow, no worries, other small pasta shapes work too.
How to Make This Ground Beef Macaroni Dish
Alright, let’s get this super simple, super delicious American Goulash going! Honestly, it’s so easy, you’ll wonder why you haven’t made it dozens of times before, especially on those crazy weeknights. This is the kind of meal prep win that saves the day, and it’s why we love sharing these easy weeknight dinners so much!
Browning the Beef and Aromatics
First things first, grab a big pot or a Dutch oven – whatever you’ve got that’s nice and roomy. We’ll pop that pound of ground beef in there over medium heat. Let it cook and get all nicely browned. You want to break it up as it cooks so you don’t have big clumps. Once it’s browned, just drain off any excess grease. Now, toss in your chopped onion and let it get soft and a little translucent, maybe about 5 minutes. Then, stir in that minced garlic – be careful not to burn it; it only needs about a minute until it smells amazing!
Simmering the Tomato Base
Next up, we’re creating that rich, savory sauce. Pour in your crushed tomatoes and the beef broth. Give it a good stir to mix everything together. Now for the seasoning! Sprinkle in your salt, pepper, paprika, and oregano. Stir it all up and bring this beautiful liquid to a gentle simmer. This is where all those yummy flavors start to meld together. It’s already starting to smell like pure comfort, don’t you think?
Cooking the Macaroni to Perfection
Here’s where it all comes together! Stir in your elbow macaroni directly into the simmering tomato mixture. Make sure it’s all submerged so it cooks evenly. Now, put a lid on that pot, turn the heat down low, and let it do its magic. It’ll take about 15 to 20 minutes for the macaroni to get nice and tender. Just remember to give it a stir every now and then to make sure nothing sticks to the bottom. Nobody wants burnt bits in their goulash!
Finishing Touches for Your American Goulash
And the grand finale! If you’re feeling it, and trust me, you probably will be, stir in that cup of shredded cheddar cheese. Let it melt into the saucy, tender macaroni. Oh my goodness, it gets so delightfully creamy! Give it one last little stir, and your incredible, homemade American Goulash is ready to serve. This is the ultimate family dinner that’s ready in a flash – a true 30 minute dinner win!
Tips for the Best Tomato Pasta Skillet
Making a fantastic American Goulash, or as I like to call it, the ultimate tomato pasta skillet, is all about a few little secrets. It’s so easy, but a couple of pointers can really take it from good to absolutely amazing. First off, when it comes to ingredients, quality really does make a difference. Using good crushed tomatoes and a decent beef broth can really boost that savory flavor.
Now, about substitutions – don’t be afraid to play around! If you don’t have elbow macaroni, rotini or penne work great too, just make sure they’re smaller shapes so they cook through properly in the sauce. Feel free to swap beef broth for chicken or vegetable broth if that’s what you have on hand, though beef broth really gives it that classic goulash depth. And for the sauce consistency, it should be lovely and thick, coating every piece of pasta. If it seems a little too thick when the macaroni is cooked, just stir in a splash more broth or water. The most important thing?
Give it a good stir every now and then while it’s simmering to stop that macaroni from sticking! It’s all about that comforting, soul-warming texture we love. You can find more of our favorite comfort food recipes right here!
Variations and Serving Suggestions for Comfort Food
You know, one of the best things about this American Goulash is how wonderfully versatile it is! It’s already fantastic, but if you’re like me and love to tinker, there are so many fun ways to make it your own. Want to sneak in some extra veggies? Totally do it! A handful of frozen peas or corn stirred in during the last few minutes of cooking is amazing, adding a little sweetness and color. If you like a bit of a kick, a pinch of red pepper flakes added with the other spices will give it a lovely warmth without being overpowering.
And for serving? This dish is so hearty on its own, but I just love a simple side salad with a tangy vinaigrette to cut through all that deliciousness. Sometimes, just a side of crusty bread for dipping up any leftover sauce is pure heaven. If you’re looking for more fresh ideas, check out our amazing soups and salads or easy appetizers and snacks that pair perfectly!
Make-Ahead and Storage for Budget Meals
Seriously, this American Goulash is an absolute lifesaver for staying on budget and saving yourself time during the week. It’s practically designed for make-ahead meals! Since it’s already a one-pot wonder, that means less fuss from start to finish, and leftovers are just as amazing, if not better, the next day. It’s such a great alternative to those pricey meal planning services, right?
Once it’s cooled down, I like to portion it into airtight containers. It’ll keep beautifully in the refrigerator for about 3-4 days. For longer storage, pop it into freezer-safe containers or bags – this stuff freezes incredibly well for a good two to three months. When you’re ready to reheat, just pop a portion in the microwave (give it a stir halfway through!) or gently reheat it on the stovetop over low heat with, maybe, a little splash of water or broth if it looks a tad thick. Check out our latest blog posts for even more tips on making the most of your cooking!
Frequently Asked Questions about American Goulash
Can I use different pasta shapes in my American Goulash?
Absolutely! While elbow macaroni is classic for this American Goulash, feel free to get creative. Smaller pasta shapes work best, like shells, rotini, or even ditalini. Just make sure they cook through in about 15-20 minutes in the sauce. Sometimes different shapes might need a tiny bit more liquid, so keep an eye on it!
How can I make this a vegetarian American Goulash?
Making this vegetarian is super simple! Just swap out the ground beef for your favorite plant-based crumble or extra hearty vegetables like mushrooms and bell peppers. For the beef broth, use a good quality vegetable broth instead. It’ll still have all that amazing savory flavor you love!
How long does it really take to cook this Ground Beef Macaroni dish?
This is truly a 30 minute dinner. Prep time is about 10 minutes – chopping that onion and garlic. Then, after browning the meat and aromatics, it’s about 20 minutes of simmering time for the pasta to cook. So, from start to finish, you’re looking at around 40 minutes total. It’s a lifesaver on busy nights!
Is this American Goulash recipe spicy?
By itself, this American Goulash isn’t spicy at all. It’s a wonderfully comforting, savory dish. If you like a little heat, though, just add a pinch of red pepper flakes when you add the other seasonings, or even a dash of hot sauce at the end. That’s the beauty of making it yourself – you control the spice!
Nutritional Information
Just a little note about the nutrition here: the numbers I’ve got are estimates, of course! They can totally change depending on the exact brands you use or if you toss in any of those yummy variations we talked about. But generally, a serving of this hearty American Goulash comes in around 450 calories, with about 15g of fat, 20g of protein, and 60g of carbs. We’ve got about 800mg of sodium, which is pretty standard for a savory dish like this. Remember, it’s all about balance and enjoying delicious food!
Share Your Thoughts!
Did you make this amazing American Goulash? I’d absolutely love to hear all about it! Please drop a comment below and let me know how it turned out for you. If you snapped any pictures of your creation, tag us on social media – we live for seeing your kitchen successes! You can also reach out directly through our contact page if you have any questions!
PrintAmerican Goulash
A simple, one-pot American goulash recipe with ground beef and macaroni in a savory tomato sauce. This comforting dish is perfect for busy weeknights and feeds a crowd.
- Prep Time: 10 min
- Cook Time: 30 min
- Total Time: 40 min
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- 4 cups beef broth
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 pound elbow macaroni
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional)
Instructions
- In a large pot or Dutch oven, cook the ground beef over medium heat until browned. Drain off any excess grease.
- Add the chopped onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more until fragrant.
- Pour in the crushed tomatoes and beef broth. Season with salt, pepper, paprika, and oregano. Bring the mixture to a simmer.
- Stir in the elbow macaroni. Cover the pot and reduce heat to low. Cook for 15-20 minutes, or until the macaroni is tender, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
- If desired, stir in the shredded cheddar cheese until melted.
- Serve hot.
Notes
- This goulash reheats well and is great for meal prep.
- For a spicier version, add a pinch of red pepper flakes.
- You can substitute ground turkey or ground chicken for the ground beef.
- Consider this a great alternative to meal planning services.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 60g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
