Featured Comment
We had this bit of nostalgia for dinner tonight. A staple back in the day. Great version of goulash like a hearty version of soup for a winter day! A keeper !
– Diane
6 More Comments
American Goulash Recipe
We absolutely love this easy Goulash Recipe, and your family will too! This is the perfect one-pot meal that comes together in a snap for a weeknight dinner. This recipe is the classic American Goulash version and a regular in our house, but also great for potlucks because it makes a large amount and is budget friendly. Kids really love this dinner as well!
What is the Difference between Hungarian Goulash and American Goulash?
Hungarian Goulash is more like a stew with meat and veggies, while American Goulash is a quick dish made from ground beef, seasoned tomato sauce, and elbow macaroni noodles. This recipe also goes by the name of American Chop Suey.
American Goulash Recipe in a bowl
Ingredients Needed
Here’s what you’ll need to make Easy Goulash Recipe (the exact measurements are below in the easy to print recipe card).
Olive oil – you’ll cook the onion, pepper, and ground beef in the oil. If you prefer, you can use a different oil, such as vegetable oil.
Onion – either a yellow or white onion works well.
Green bell pepper – bell peppers are mild, but add great flavor to the goulash.
Beef – Lean ground beef
Garlic – fresh peeled and minced garlic is the best for this recipe.
The Sauce – Canned tomato sauce, petite diced tomatoes, beef broth, Worcestershire Sauce, seasoned salt, Italian seasoning, and bay leaves.
Macaroni noodles – be sure you do not cook the macaroni before adding it to the beef goulash. It will cook as it simmers together with the meat and sauce.
Cheddar cheese – you’ll add this right at the end to make the goulash nice and cheesy.
American Goulash ingredients
How To Make American Goulash
This takes just 15-20 Minutes to prepare!
Add olive oil to large pot or Dutch oven and heat over medium-high heat.
Mix the onion, bell pepper, and ground beef then cook, stirring often, until the beef is fully browned. Drain off any excess fat. Next, add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
Pour in the tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, seasoned salt, Italian seasoning, and bay leaves.
chopped onion and ground beef in a pot
ground beef and tomato sauce in a pot
Add the uncooked macaroni noodles.
Stir well and bring mixture to a boil over medium-high heat.
uncooked macaroni noodles with tomato sauce in a pot
cooked American goulash in a pot
Reduce the heat to low and allow the mixture to simmer, stirring occasionally, for about 20 minutes until the pasta is tender. Remove the bay leaves and stir in the cheddar cheese just before serving.
So delicious and cheesy!
