Old Fashioned American Goulash

Goulash is one of those ultimate comfort food, and it doesn’t take forever to make! This is one that’s too easy not to put into your rotation. Time to stock up on ground beef and macaroni noodles!

For more hearty comfort food recipes, try our Homemade Sloppy Joes.

Why My Recipe

Total comfort food with ground beef, melted cheese, and pasta.
Simple and affordable ingredients.
One pot keeps it simple and makes cleanup a breeze.

Old Fashioned American Goulash in a large pot with fresh parsley and sprinkled cheese.

Goulash originates from Hungary, dating back to the 9th century. This recipe is for an American Goulash, which dates back to the early 1900s and is generally made using ground beef and pasta in a chili powder and paprika tomato stew. There’s a reason why it’s been a comfort food favorite for over 100 years!

Ingredient Notes

Ingredients for Old Fashioned American Goulash.

Ground Beef: Opt for ground beef with at least 80/20 fat content or leaner to avoid excess grease.
White Onion: Has a mild and sweet flavor. You can substitute with yellow onion if that’s what you have on hand.
Garlic: Freshly minced garlic provides the best flavor, but jarred minced garlic works in a pinch.
Beef Broth: Choose a good-quality, low-sodium beef broth to create a flavorful stew base.
Diced Tomatoes: We use canned diced tomatoes, but you can use fire-roasted tomatoes instead for a little more flavor.
Tomato Sauce: This thickens the goulash and adds a concentrated tomato flavor.
Italian Seasoning: Found at most grocery stores in the spice and baking aisle. You can also easily make your own with our Homemade Italian Seasoning recipe.
Elbow Macaroni: Any short pasta like fusilli, penne, or bowtie works well. For a gluten-free version, opt for gluten-free pasta.
Mozzarella Cheese: Use shredded mozzarella for a milder flavor or cheddar cheese for a sharper taste.

Meat Options

A traditional American-style goulash calls for ground beef. For a lighter version, you can swap the ground beef out for ground chicken or turkey. If you prefer pork, use ground Italian sausage.

Old Fashioned American Goulash in a white bowl with a fork.

Add Veggies

We love how easy it is to customize goulash! If you like additional veggies in your meal, you can add almost anything. Common favorites are sliced carrots, green beans, peas, and corn.