Quick American Goulash Dinner Recipe
The Joy of One-Pot Cooking: Flavorful and Convenient Meals
Did someone say one pot? I love one-pot meals because there’s less cleanup and all the flavors blend together, making the dish even better. Plus, most of these meals taste great the next day, which is a big bonus. American goulash is one of those quick, filling dinners that’s easy to make. It’s perfect with crusty French bread if you plan ahead, but if you don’t, this Sweet Honey Cornbread works just fine too.
This is a dish I grew up with, and it’s super easy to switch up to your taste. Sometimes we’d add corn, sometimes there was less tomato, and some days we would add more tomato flavor, but that tomato flavor was always front and center. I’ll share some ideas below so you can make it your own.
Let’s Talk About the Beef
The beef you use really sets the tone for how oily or rich the dish ends up, so keep that in mind. Sometimes I have to drain off the extra fat — or sometimes I don’t, depending on my mood. Isn’t that what cooking’s all about? LOL. Okay, hunger’s a big factor too, I won’t lie.
I like to season my beef while I’m browning it so the flavor gets in there right away. You can also swap in other ground meats like chicken or turkey, but just remember that’ll change the flavor of the whole dish. When I use those, I usually add a little extra seasoning and salt to make up for it. But really, it’s all about what you like.
Getting the Tomato Flavor Just Right
First off, this is not spaghetti Italian style. Yeah, we’ve got tomatoes and tomato sauce in there, but we don’t want this to turn into our classic spaghetti dinner. This dish has a nice beefy flavor but still lets that tomato come through.
I’m partial to a milder tomato flavor myself, but if you want to amp it up, add more tomato paste. Just make sure you bloom it by sautéing it in the pan first—that really brings out the flavor. You can also play around with different kinds of diced tomatoes—fresh, fire-roasted, whatever you like.
Pasta and Cheese for a Perfect American Goulash
Looking to take your American goulash to the next level? The right pasta and cheese will make all the difference. Here's how to get it just right. Just remember, this isn’t beef-a-roni. That one has a stronger tomato flavor and a different vibe.
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Pasta: While medium-sized elbow macaroni is traditional, any smaller tube-shaped pasta works perfectly. Penne, rigatoni, or cavatappi are all excellent choices. Just make sure the pasta isn’t too large, so it can absorb all that rich sauce and flavor. - •
Cheese: When it comes to cheese, you really can’t go wrong. I’m all about sharp cheddar for that classic, bold flavor, but you can also mix it up. A blend of mozzarella and cheddar gives you the best of both worlds, meltiness and flavor. For a spicy kick, try pepper jack! - •
Cooking Tips: If you prefer a true one-pot meal, cook the pasta directly in the sauce, but be sure to add extra broth or water since the pasta will absorb a lot of liquid. Alternatively, cook the pasta separately, drain it, and stir it into the sauce at the end for an easier cleanup.
American Goulash
Ingredients
- 1 lb Ground Beef or other ground meat like pork, turkey, or chicken
- 1 Bell Pepper diced
- 1 Onion diced
- 3 Garlic Cloves minced
- 1 ⅔ cups Beef Broth or chicken broth or water
- 2 15 oz Cans or 1 (28 oz) Can of Diced Tomatoes with Juice
- 1 8 oz Can of Tomato Sauce
- 2 cups Elbow Noodles
- Splash of Worcestershire Sauce
- 1 ½ tsp Italian Seasoning
- 1 tsp Paprika
- ½ tsp Garlic Powder
- ½ tsp Onion Powder
- Optional: Red Pepper Flakes
- 1 Bay Leaf
- Salt and Pepper to taste
- Cheddar Cheese to taste
- Optional: Corn
- Optional: 2 Tbsp Tomato Paste for more tomato flavor
Instructions
- Brown the ground meat over medium heat in a large pot. Drain excess fat if necessary.
- Add diced bell pepper, onion, and minced garlic; cook until softened.
- Stir in tomato paste if using, cook for a few minutes until it darkens slightly.
- Add beef broth, diced tomatoes with juice, tomato sauce, Worcestershire sauce, Italian seasoning, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, bay leaf, and red pepper flakes if using.
- Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and let simmer for 10 minutes.
- Stir in elbow noodles and cook until tender, about 10–15 minutes.
- Add corn if using during the last few minutes of cooking.
- Remove bay leaf, season with salt and pepper, and sprinkle with cheddar cheese before serving.
Notes
Kitchen Favorites That Make This Easier
You don’t need a ton of fancy tools to make a good meal, but there are a few things that can make one-pot dishes like this even easier and more enjoyable.
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A stainless steel pasta pot set makes boiling and draining pasta quick and mess-free. It’s handy for all kinds of meals, not just goulash.
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Stainless steel utensils are sturdy and hold up well over time. Great for stirring and scooping without worrying about melting or warping.
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A nice spoon rest might seem small, but it saves your counter from getting messy when you’re stirring and tasting as you go.
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A meat smasher makes breaking up ground beef quicker and more even. It’s one of those tools you don’t think about until you use it once.
If you’re looking to build up your kitchen setup, I’ve linked some helpful basics that are great to have on hand.
Simple, Filling, and Always a Hit
I know this isn’t some fancy dish, but it’s comforting, filling, and it just tastes gooooood. It you can have dinner in a jiffy with no mess, all in one pot. Sometimes all you want is an easy, quick meal that comes together without any fuss. And believe me, this one’s plenty for seconds, people will be asking for more.
Ready to see how it all comes together? Head on over and watch the video!
If You Want a Little More Than Just a Recipe…
When I’m not stirring up a big batch of American goulash, I’m usually getting into some kind of kitchen trouble. 😂 If you haven’t read “Pray for Me: The Blackened Trout Incident”, you need to. It's got spice, drama, and just a touch of daughterly patience.
Leave a Comment: I love hearing what additions you make to your goulash! Do you have any favorite pasta or cheese combos? Drop a comment below and let me know your go-to add-ins. Let’s keep the conversation going!
Thanks for hanging out! Just a quick heads-up: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. If you decide to make a purchase through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Your support helps keep things rolling around here!
Hey, if you tried this recipe, leave a comment below and let me know what you think! A quick rating helps others out too, and if you added your own twist, let’s talk about it!