Classic American Goulash

A hearty one-pot American goulash with ground beef, elbow macaroni, and tomato sauce — an easy, comforting main dish for family dinners.

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Keyword American Goulash, classic comfort food, Easy Goulash Recipe, family meal sides, Gluten-Free Goulash, Ground Beef Pasta, Hearty Stew, Low-Carb Goulash, One-Pot Dinner, Vegetarian Goulash

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 35

Total Time 45

Servings

Calories 435kcal

Ingredients

1 lb ground beef
1 Tbsp olive oil
1 small yellow onion optional
3 cloves garlic
14 oz diced tomatoes drained
15 oz tomato sauce
2 Cups beef broth
2 Cups elbow pasta dry
2 bay leaves
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp italian seasoning
2 Tbsp worcestershire
To Taste salt and pepper

Instructions

In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, then drain excess fat
Add the onion and garlic to the pot and sauté until the onion is translucent and the garlic is fragrant.
Stir in the diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, beef broth, bay leaves, paprika, Italian seasoning, and Worcestershire sauce. Mix well.
Cover the pot and simmer for 20 minutes to blend the flavors.
Uncover, add the dry macaroni, stir, then cover and cook for 15 more minutes, until the pasta is tender. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
Remove the bay leaves and season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve hot.

Notes

Stir in shredded cheddar cheese or a dollop of sour cream just before serving for extra richness.
Garnish with chopped parsley or green onions for a fresh touch.
For a heartier stew-like texture, add more beef broth and simmer longer.
To lighten up, use ground turkey instead of beef.
Make it low-carb by swapping macaroni for zucchini noodles.
To make vegetarian, use vegetable broth and add cooked lentils or beans in place of the beef.
Use gluten-free pasta to easily adapt this to a gluten-free diet.
Leftovers keep well for 3–4 days in the fridge (or freeze for longer). Reheat gently on the stove.

Nutrition