Easy Ground Beef Goulash (One Pot Comfort Food)
This easy ground beef goulash is a hearty, cheesy one-pot dinner the whole family will love. Ready in under 45 minutes with simple pantry ingredients!
The One-Pot Dinner That Never Lets You Down
Some recipes just feel like a hug in a bowl. This easy ground beef goulash is exactly that. It is warm, filling, deeply savory, and comes together in a single pot with ingredients most of us already have in the pantry. Whether you know it as American goulash, Southern goulash, or simply "that pasta and beef thing Mom used to make," this dish has earned its place in the weeknight dinner hall of fame.
This is not the Hungarian goulash you might find in a more traditional cookbook. Think of it as the American cousin: a cozy, tomato-rich pasta dish loaded with seasoned ground beef, tender elbow macaroni, and a blanket of melted cheddar cheese on top. It is the kind of easy dinner food that disappears fast and has everyone going back for seconds.
Why This Recipe Works
A lot of one pot ground beef recipes can feel heavy or one-dimensional, but this version hits all the right notes. Here is what makes it special:
- Layered seasoning: Smoked paprika, Worcestershire sauce, and Italian seasoning build a deep, complex flavor without a long ingredient list.
- The pasta cooks right in the sauce: This is the secret to incredible flavor. The macaroni soaks up all that beefy, tomatoey goodness as it cooks, rather than being boiled separately in plain water.
- Cheese on top: Because goulash with cheese is not optional. A generous handful of sharp cheddar melted over the top ties the whole dish together.
- One pot, minimal cleanup: This entire recipe happens in a single Dutch oven or deep skillet. That alone makes it a winner on a busy weeknight.
Chef's Tip: Using an 80/20 ground beef blend rather than extra-lean gives you much better flavor. Just drain the excess fat after browning and you are good to go.
The Right Tools Make It Even Easier
For one pot cooker recipes like this one, the vessel you cook in genuinely matters. A wide, heavy-bottomed Dutch oven or deep skillet gives you even heat distribution and enough room to stir the pasta without things spilling over. A good quality pot will also develop those little browned bits on the bottom that add enormous flavor.
A Little History: American vs. Hungarian Goulash
If you have ever searched "golosh recipe" or "recipe goulash" and felt confused by the variety of results, you are not alone. The name goulash actually refers to two very different dishes depending on where you are in the world.
Traditional Hungarian goulash is a rich, slow-cooked beef stew seasoned heavily with paprika, often served with egg noodles or bread. It is wonderful and deeply aromatic.
American goulash, sometimes called Southern goulash or "slumgullion," is the version most of us grew up with. It uses ground beef instead of chunks, elbow macaroni instead of noodles, and a quick tomato-based sauce that comes together in under an hour. Think of it as a heartier, beefier cousin to beefaroni.
Both are delicious. This recipe is firmly in the American camp, and proud of it.
Tips for the Best Ground Beef Goulash
Go smoked for a reason. If you swap regular paprika for smoked paprika, you get a subtle, almost smoked goulash depth of flavor that makes people ask what your secret ingredient is. It is a small change with a big payoff.
Do not skip the Worcestershire. It adds a savory, umami backbone that makes the tomato sauce taste richer and more complex.
Stir the pasta regularly. Because the macaroni cooks directly in the sauce, it can stick to the bottom of the pot if left unattended. Give it a good stir every 5 minutes and you will be fine.
Add cheese off the heat. Remove the pot from the burner before piling on the cheddar. Let the residual heat melt it gently so it stays creamy rather than turning rubbery.
Canadian Goulash Variation: Some Canadian versions of this dish include a splash of tomato juice and a bit of cider vinegar for a slightly tangier, lighter sauce. Try adding 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar along with the tomatoes for a fun twist.
What to Serve With It
Honestly, this is a complete meal on its own, but if you want to round it out:
- Crusty garlic bread for scooping up every last bit of sauce
- A simple green salad to balance the richness
- Steamed or roasted broccoli for an easy veggie side
- Cornbread for a true Southern comfort food experience
Ready to make the coziest dinner of the week? Here is the full recipe:
Easy Ground Beef Goulash (One Pot Comfort Food)
This easy ground beef goulash is a hearty, cheesy one-pot dinner the whole family will love. Ready in under 45 minutes with simple pantry ingredients!
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 diced tomatoes, one large can, undrained
- 15 oz tomato sauce, one can
- 2 cups beef broth, low sodium preferred
- 2 cups elbow macaroni, dry, uncooked
- 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tsp paprika, smoked paprika adds extra depth
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp salt, adjust to taste
- 1/2 tsp black pepper, freshly ground
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, for topping, sharp cheddar recommended
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Instruction
Heat the olive oil in a large, deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
Add the diced onion and green bell pepper. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened.
Add the ground beef to the pot. Break it apart with a wooden spoon and cook until no longer pink, about 6 to 8 minutes. Drain any excess fat.
Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
Add the Worcestershire sauce, paprika, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Stir everything together to coat the meat.
Pour in the diced tomatoes (with juices), tomato sauce, and beef broth. Stir well to combine.
Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat, then stir in the dry elbow macaroni.
Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover the pot, and simmer for 18 to 20 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes, until the pasta is tender and has absorbed most of the liquid.
Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
Remove from heat and top generously with shredded cheddar cheese. Cover the pot for 2 to 3 minutes to let the cheese melt, then serve hot.
Equipment
- Large deep skillet or Dutch oven (5 to 6 quart)
- Wooden spoon or silicone spatula
- Cutting board and chef's knife
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Lid for the pot
Notes
Storing and Reheating
One of the best things about this recipe goulash is how well it keeps. Leftovers store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The pasta will soak up more of the sauce overnight, so just add a splash of beef broth or water when reheating to bring it back to the right consistency.
For longer storage, this dish freezes beautifully. Portion it into freezer-safe containers and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Make-Ahead Tip: This is one of those one pot ground beef recipes that genuinely tastes better the next day. The flavors meld and deepen overnight, making it a perfect meal prep dinner for busy weeks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this in a slow cooker?
Yes, with a small adjustment. Brown the beef and sauté the aromatics on the stovetop first, then transfer everything except the pasta to a slow cooker. Cook on low for 4 to 6 hours or high for 2 to 3 hours. Stir in the cooked (separately boiled) pasta during the last 20 minutes.
Can I make it without cheese?
Absolutely. The goulash is flavorful and satisfying on its own. That said, goulash with cheese is the crowd-pleasing classic for a reason, so it is worth trying at least once.
Is this a pasta recipe or a stew?
It lands somewhere in between, which is part of its charm. The pasta recipes community will claim it. The stew lovers will claim it too. Either way, everyone is happy at the table.
