Easy Goulash Recipe (American Style)

This hearty American-style goulash combines ground beef, macaroni, and a savory tomato sauce for the ultimate comfort food experience. Ready in just 40 minutes, this one-pot wonder delivers rich, satisfying flavors perfect for busy weeknights when you need a filling meal that everyone will love. The combination of beef broth, marinara, and a touch of sweetness creates a depth of flavor that makes this simple dish absolutely irresistible.

Ingredients You’ll Need

• Ground Beef: The protein foundation that gives this dish its hearty, satisfying character. Choose lean beef for less fat.
• Yellow Onion: Provides essential aromatic flavor and sweetness when cooked down with the beef.
• Beef Broth: Creates a rich base for the sauce while adding depth of flavor that water simply can’t provide.
• Diced Tomatoes: Brings acidity, texture, and bright tomato flavor to balance the richness of the beef.
• Marinara Sauce: A shortcut ingredient that instantly adds complex flavor with herbs and seasonings already built in.
• Brown Sugar: Just a touch balances the acidity of the tomatoes and adds subtle sweetness to round out the flavors.
• Bay Leaf: This unassuming herb works magic in the background, adding subtle complexity to the sauce.
• Italian Seasoning: A convenient blend of Mediterranean herbs that brings cohesion to all the flavors.
• Soy Sauce: The secret ingredient that adds umami depth and enhances the meaty flavors without tasting like soy.
• Garlic Powder: Adds aromatic garlic flavor that disperses evenly throughout the dish.
• Paprika: Brings a subtle earthy sweetness and beautiful color to the sauce.
• Seasoned Salt: Provides a more complex seasoning profile than regular salt alone.
• Black Pepper: Adds necessary spice and depth to round out the flavor profile.
• Elbow Macaroni: The classic pasta choice for goulash, perfect for catching sauce in its curves.
• Cheddar Cheese: When melted on top, creates an irresistible finish that brings everything together.
• Fresh Parsley: Adds a pop of color and fresh flavor to brighten the finished dish.

Variations

• Veggie-Loaded: Add diced bell peppers, zucchini, or carrots along with the onions for extra nutrition and color.
• Spicy Goulash: Incorporate a diced jalapeño or 1/2 teaspoon of red pepper flakes for heat lovers.
• Italian Style: Swap the cheddar for mozzarella and parmesan, add some Italian sausage along with the ground beef, and sprinkle with fresh basil instead of parsley.
• Mexican Twist: Add a tablespoon of taco seasoning, use corn instead of macaroni, top with pepper jack cheese, and garnish with cilantro and avocado.

How to Make Easy American Goulash

Step 1: Brown the Meat and Onions

In a Dutch oven over medium heat, brown the ground beef and diced onion together until the meat is no longer pink and the onions have softened, about 3-5 minutes. Break the meat into smaller pieces as it cooks. Drain any excess fat from the pot.

Step 2: Build the Sauce

Pour in the beef broth, marinara sauce, and diced tomatoes with their juice. Add the bay leaf, Italian seasoning, soy sauce, garlic powder, paprika, seasoned salt, black pepper, and brown sugar if using. Stir everything together until well combined.

Step 3: Simmer the Sauce

Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low. Cover the pot and let it simmer for 5-10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.

Step 4: Cook the Pasta

Add the dry elbow macaroni directly to the pot and stir to combine. Cover and simmer, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking, until the pasta is tender but still has a bit of bite, about 12-15 minutes.

Step 5: Finish and Serve

Remove the bay leaf and taste for seasoning, adjusting with more salt and pepper if needed. If using cheese, sprinkle it over the top and cover for a minute to melt. For a browned cheese top, place the uncovered Dutch oven under the broiler for 1-2 minutes. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley before serving.

How to Serve

This comforting goulash is satisfying on its own, but pairs wonderfully with complementary sides:

Main Dish Companions

Serve with crusty garlic bread for sopping up every last bit of sauce, or a simple green salad dressed with vinaigrette to cut through the richness.

Beverage Pairings

A simple red wine like Chianti or Merlot works beautifully with the tomato-based sauce, or try a cold beer for a casual meal.

Serving Suggestions

Ladle the goulash into wide, shallow bowls and offer extra grated cheese and hot sauce on the side for everyone to customize their portion.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store cooled goulash in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The flavors often improve overnight as they meld together.

Freezing

Portion cooled goulash into freezer-safe containers and freeze for up to 3 months. The pasta may soften slightly upon thawing, but the flavor remains delicious.

Reheating

Warm refrigerated goulash in a saucepan over medium heat, adding a splash of beef broth or water to loosen the sauce if needed. Microwave individual portions for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

This American-style goulash brings together simple ingredients to create a meal that’s greater than the sum of its parts. It’s the kind of recipe that becomes a regular in your dinner rotation because it hits all the right notes—comforting, satisfying, and adaptable to what you have on hand. Whether you’re feeding a hungry family or looking for a meal that delivers leftovers for days, this goulash delivers homestyle goodness with minimal effort. Give it a try tonight and discover why this humble dish has stood the test of time!

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