One-Pot American Goulash: A Quick and Easy 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.

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.

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.

Pasta and Cheese for a Perfect Dish

Just remember, this isn’t beef-a-roni. That one has a stronger tomato flavor and a different vibe. You can cook everything in one pot if you want that true one-pot meal, but I usually cook the pasta separately and stir it in at the end. I like to lightly season the noodles first before adding them in.

Another option is to cook your pasta first, drain it, then use the same pot to make the rest of the dish. No need to mess up another pot if you do not have to.

Now, if you go the one-pot route and cook the noodles right in the sauce, just keep in mind you will need extra broth or water. The pasta soaks up a lot of liquid as it cooks, and you do not want your goulash to end up too dry.

And of course, finish it off with shredded cheddar and let it melt right in. You really cannot go wrong with cheese. I like using regular-size elbow noodles, but any tube-shaped pasta will work just fine.

Kitchen Favorites That Make This Easier

Kitchen Favorites I Recommend

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.

• 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.

• Stainless steel utensils are sturdy and hold up well over time. Great for stirring and scooping without worrying about melting or warping.

• A nice spoon rest might seem small, but it saves your counter from getting messy when you’re stirring and tasting as you go.

• 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.

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Simple, Filling, and Always a Hit

I know this isn’t some fancy dish, but it’s comforting, filling, and it just tastes gooooood. 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!