Amazing 1-Pot Beef Goulash Comfort

Oh, busy nights, I get it! Sometimes the very last thing you want to do after a long day is cook. I used to feel exactly the same way, convinced I just wasn’t a “kitchen person.” My corporate job was absolutely draining, and dinner usually meant whatever I could pick up on the go. But then, something shifted. It started with a simple challenge, and now, I can honestly say the kitchen is my happy place. It’s where I find pure joy in creating delicious meals that bring people together, just like this incredibly easy one-pot beef goulash. This recipe embodies everything Pure Cooking Joy is about: approachable, flavorful, and made for sharing. It’s the kind of comforting, cheesy goodness that makes even the most hectic weeknight feel a little bit special, and I’m so thrilled to share it with you! You can learn more about my journey here, and feel free to connect with us on Facebook!

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Why You’ll Love This Easy Beef Goulash

Seriously, who doesn’t love a meal that practically cooks itself?

• One-Pot Wonder: Less washing up is always a win, right? Everything cooks together in a single pot!
• Super Quick: We’re talking about a total time of around 40 minutes, making it perfect for those super busy weeknights.
• Family Favorite: This is the kind of hearty meal that even picky eaters will devour. It’s pure comfort food!
• Cheesy Goodness: Melted cheddar cheese stirred right in? Yes, please! It adds that extra layer of deliciousness.
• Budget-Friendly: Uses simple, affordable ingredients that your wallet will thank you for.
• So Flavorful: Even though it’s easy, the rich tomato sauce and savory beef come together beautifully.

Ingredients for the Perfect Beef Goulash

Okay, so gathering your ingredients is the first super simple step! For this amazing beef goulash, you’ll want to have these goodies ready to go. Trust me, the simplicity here is part of the magic. You’ll need some ground beef – about a pound of it. Then there’s a yellow onion, just one, finely chopped up. We need that savory base! Don’t forget two cloves of garlic, minced nice and fine. For the sauce, grab a 15-ounce can of tomato sauce and a 14.5-ounce can of diced tomatoes. Oh, and you’ll need about 4 cups of beef broth to get everything simmering beautifully. To season it up right, we’ll use salt, black pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder – just a little bit of each to make it sing. And of course, the star pasta: 8 ounces of elbow macaroni. Finally, for that irresistible cheesy finish, you’ll want about a cup of shredded cheddar cheese. Easy peasy!

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Ingredient Notes & Substitutions for Your Beef Goulash

I love how flexible this beef goulash recipe is! If you don’t have ground beef on hand, feel free to swap it out for ground turkey or even ground chicken. They work just as wonderfully in this dish! And about that pasta – elbow macaroni is classic, but honestly, any small pasta shape you have – like shells, rotini, or even penne – will totally work. Just make sure they’re on the smaller side so they cook evenly in the sauce. If you’re keeping things dairy-free, just leave out the cheddar cheese, or use your favorite dairy-free shredded cheese alternative. The rich tomato base is still super tasty on its own! The key here is using ingredients that are readily available and totally forgiving. That’s why this American goulash is so awesome for busy nights!

How to Make This Delicious Beef Goulash

Alright, let’s get this amazing one-pot beef goulash on the table! It’s seriously so easy, you’ll be making it all the time – especially on those crazy weeknights when you just need something delicious and comforting fast! This recipe is basically a weeknight dinner lifesaver, and once you try it, you’ll see why it’s always on repeat in my kitchen. Plus, you can find even more easy weeknight meal ideas on my site!

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Browning the Beef and Aromatics

First things first, grab a big pot or a Dutch oven. Toss in that pound of ground beef and let it brown up over medium-high heat. You want it nicely browned, so give it a good stir as it cooks. Once it’s all browned, just drain off any extra grease – we don’t need that! Now, toss in your chopped onion and let it get soft and yummy, about 5 minutes. Then, add in that minced garlic and cook for just another minute until it smells amazing. That smell? That’s pure anticipation!

Building the Flavorful Sauce for Beef Goulash

Okay, now for the good stuff that makes this beef goulash so rich and delicious! Pour in your tomato sauce and those diced tomatoes, juice and all. Then, add in the beef broth. Give it all a good stir to make sure everything is well combined. Now, time to season! Sprinkle in that salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder. Stir it all up again. This is where all those simple ingredients start to become something truly special. Just taste it at this point, you can always add a little more spice if you like!

Cooking the Macaroni in the Beef Goulash

Here’s the magic for this one-pot meal: pour in your elbow macaroni right into the pot with all that saucy beef mixture. Give it a good stir and make sure the pasta is all submerged. Now, turn the heat down to low, pop a lid on the pot, and let it simmer away for about 15 to 20 minutes. You’ll want to stir it every now and then just to make sure nothing sticks to the bottom. You’re looking for the macaroni to be perfectly tender – not too firm, not mushy. It’s like a little pasta spa treatment right in the pot!

Adding the Cheesy Finish to Your Beef Goulash

Almost there! Once your macaroni is perfectly tender, take the pot off the heat. Now, sprinkle in that shredded cheddar cheese. Stir it gently until it’s all melted and gooey, creating this wonderfully creamy, cheesy sauce. Oh, it just looks incredible! This cheesy finish really takes this American goulash over the top. It’s the perfect, comforting bite every time.

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Tips for the Best Beef Goulash Every Time

You know, not every pasta dish comes out perfectly the first time, but this beef goulash is pretty forgiving! To make sure yours is just the best, here are a few little tricks I’ve picked up. First, don’t skimp on browning your beef! Getting a nice, deep brown color on that ground beef really builds the flavor foundation for your entire pot of goulash. Also, taste and adjust your seasonings *before* you add the pasta. If it needs a little more salt, pepper, or even a pinch of red pepper flakes for some heat, now’s the time! And here’s a big one: stir it occasionally while the pasta cooks. This stops the macaroni from sticking together or to the bottom of the pot, ensuring even cooking. Trust me, these little things make a world of difference for a truly amazing American goulash!

Serving Suggestions for American Goulash

This delicious American goulash is pretty much a meal in itself, but if you want to make it even more special, I’ve got a couple of ideas! A cool, crisp side salad with a tangy vinaigrette is always a fantastic contrast to the rich, cheesy pasta. Think something like my simple cucumber tomato salad – it’s so refreshing! And who can resist some warm, crusty bread for soaking up every last bit of that amazing sauce? My garlic parmesan focaccia would be just perfect. Sometimes, just a big dollop of sour cream or a sprinkle of fresh parsley on top makes it feel extra special for a family favorite meal.

Storage and Reheating Your Beef Goulash

One of the best things about this beef goulash is how perfectly it holds up for leftovers! Seriously, it’s a meal prep dream. Once it’s cooled down a bit, just spoon it into an airtight container. It’ll stay tasting great in the fridge for up to 3 days. If you’ve got a little extra or just want to be prepared, you can totally freeze it too! Just make sure it’s sealed up well to prevent freezer burn. Reheating is super easy – you can pop a portion in the microwave for a minute or two until it’s nice and hot, or if you have a bit more time, gently warm it in a saucepan on the stove over low heat. So yummy!

Frequently Asked Questions about Beef Goulash

Got questions about this super easy beef goulash? I’ve got you covered! Making cooking stress-free is my whole jam, so let’s get these common questions answered.

Can I freeze leftover beef goulash?

Absolutely! This beef goulash freezes like a dream. Just let it cool, pop it in a freezer-safe container, and it’ll be good for about 2-3 months. Thaw it in the fridge overnight and reheat gently.

What’s the difference between American goulash and Hungarian goulash?

Great question! While they both have beef and a rich sauce, American goulash usually uses elbow macaroni and ground beef, simplifying things. Hungarian goulash is traditionally made with chunks of beef, onions, and lots of paprika, often served over noodles or potatoes, and it’s more of a stew.

How can I make this a lower-sodium beef goulash?

You can easily lower the sodium by using low-sodium beef broth and checking the sodium content on your canned tomatoes and tomato sauce. It still tastes amazing!

Nutritional Information

Just so you know, the nutritional info can really change depending on exactly what you use, but generally, a serving of this beef goulash is around 450 calories. It has about 20g of fat, 25g of protein, and 45g of carbs. Plus, it’s got around 8g of sugar and 900mg of sodium. These are just estimates, of course, but it gives you a good idea of what you’re getting!

Share Your Beef Goulash Creations!

I’d absolutely LOVE to hear what you think of this easy beef goulash! Did you try it? Maybe you added your own special touch? Drop a comment below and let me know how it turned out, or feel free to connect with me through my contact page. Your feedback truly makes my day!

Easy One-Pot Beef Goulash

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A simple, hearty one-pot beef and macaroni dinner in a rich tomato sauce with cheesy comfort, perfect for busy weeknights.

• Author: purejoyalex
• 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

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
• 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
• 4 cups beef broth
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
• 8 ounces elbow macaroni
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

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Instructions

1. In a large pot or Dutch oven, brown the ground beef over medium-high heat. Drain off any excess grease.
2. Add the chopped onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
3. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more until fragrant.
4. Pour in the tomato sauce, diced tomatoes (with their juice), and beef broth.
5. Season with salt, black pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder. Stir to combine.
6. Bring the mixture to a boil, then add the elbow macaroni.
7. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until the macaroni is tender, stirring occasionally.
8. Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese until melted and combined.
9. Serve hot.

Notes

• This dish is great for meal prep. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• For a spicier goulash, add a pinch of red pepper flakes with the other seasonings.
• You can substitute ground turkey or ground chicken for the ground beef.

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 serving
• Calories: 450
• Sugar: 8g
• Sodium: 900mg
• Fat: 20g
• Saturated Fat: 8g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 45g
• Fiber: 4g
• Protein: 25g
• Cholesterol: 70mg