Easy Ground Beef Goulash (Old Fashioned Comfort Food)
This easy ground beef goulash is a hearty, old fashioned one-pot dinner the whole family will love. Simple ingredients, bold flavor, and ready in under 45 minutes.
The One-Pot Weeknight Dinner That Never Gets Old
There is something deeply satisfying about a bowl of old fashioned goulash. It is the kind of meal that fills the kitchen with a rich, savory smell and gets everyone to the table without being asked twice. This easy ground beef goulash is everything a weeknight dinner should be: simple ingredients, minimal cleanup, and flavor that tastes like it simmered all afternoon even though it comes together in about 40 minutes.
Whether you grew up calling it American chop suey, hamburger goulash, or just "mom's pasta," this recipe is that dish. And if you have never made it before, you are about to add it to your permanent rotation.
Why This Goulash Recipe Works
A lot of goulash recipes are little more than ground beef dumped into canned tomatoes with pasta stirred in. This version goes a step further by building real flavor at every stage. Browning the beef properly, softening the aromatics, layering in Worcestershire sauce, and using both crushed tomatoes and tomato sauce gives you a sauce that is bold, tangy, and deeply savory rather than flat.
Cooking the dry pasta directly in the sauce is the move that sets this apart from most simple goulash recipes. The macaroni absorbs all that seasoned tomato and beef goodness as it cooks, which means every single bite is packed with flavor.
Chef's Tip: Do not skip draining the fat after browning the beef. Leaving too much grease behind makes the sauce heavy and greasy rather than rich and saucy.
Having a reliable heavy-bottomed pot makes a genuine difference with one-pot recipes like this. The right pan distributes heat evenly so your beef browns instead of steaming, and there is enough room to stir the pasta without splashing.
A Few Simple Goulash Tips Before You Start
On the beef: An 80/20 ground beef blend gives you the best flavor here. Leaner beef can work, but you lose some of that richness. If you go lean, add a small drizzle of olive oil when cooking the onions.
On the seasoning: Paprika is the backbone of this dish. Sweet paprika keeps things family-friendly, while smoked paprika adds a subtle depth that takes this old fashion goulash to another level. Use whichever you prefer or mix both.
On the pasta: Stir the macaroni every few minutes once it goes in. Because it cooks right in the sauce, it can stick to the bottom if left unattended. A quick stir is all it takes.
- Use a deep skillet or Dutch oven with at least a 5-quart capacity
- Keep the heat at medium-low once the pasta is added to avoid scorching
- The sauce will look a little thin at first. It thickens beautifully as the pasta cooks and absorbs liquid
Old Fashioned Goulash, Made Your Way
One of the best things about this hamburger goulash recipe is how easy it is to customize.
Want it cheesy? Stir in half a cup of shredded cheddar at the end and let it melt into the sauce. Top each bowl with more cheese for that classic finish.
Want more vegetables? Add diced zucchini, mushrooms, or frozen corn along with the bell pepper.
Feeding a crowd? This recipe scales up easily. Just use a bigger pot and add an extra splash of broth if the sauce looks too thick.
Ready to dig in? Here is the full recipe:
Easy Ground Beef Goulash (Old Fashioned Comfort Food)
This easy ground beef goulash is a hearty, old fashioned one-pot dinner the whole family will love. Simple ingredients, bold flavor, and ready in under 45 minutes.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 lb ground beef, 80/20 blend for best flavor
- 1 yellow onion, diced
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 28 oz crushed tomatoes, one large can
- 15 oz tomato sauce, one can
- 1 cup beef broth, low sodium preferred
- 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tsp paprika, sweet or smoked
- 1 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp salt, or to taste
- 1/2 tsp black pepper, freshly ground
- 2 cups elbow macaroni, dry, uncooked
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, optional, for topping
Instruction
Heat a large, deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, until browned and no longer pink, about 7 to 8 minutes. Drain off excess fat and set the beef aside.
In the same pot, add the diced onion and green bell pepper. Cook over medium heat until softened, about 4 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another 60 seconds until fragrant.
Return the browned ground beef to the pot. Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, beef broth, and Worcestershire sauce.
Add the paprika, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Stir everything together until well combined.
Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then stir in the dry elbow macaroni. Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover the pot, and simmer for 15 to 18 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is tender and has absorbed much of the sauce.
Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Serve hot, topped with shredded cheddar cheese if desired.
Equipment
- Large deep skillet or Dutch oven (at least 5-quart)
- Wooden spoon or silicone spatula
- Sharp chef's knife
- Cutting board
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Lid for the pot
Notes
Serving and Storing Your Goulash
Serve this easy goulash recipe straight from the pot with a sprinkle of fresh parsley and a side of crusty bread for soaking up the sauce. A simple green salad on the side rounds out the meal perfectly.
Leftovers store well in the fridge for up to four days. The pasta will absorb more liquid overnight, so add a splash of beef broth when reheating and stir over medium heat until everything is loosened back up. This goulash also freezes well, making it a fantastic option for meal prep.
