Amazing American Goulash: 1-Pot Comfort

Oh, the smell of a simmering pot of American goulash! It just takes me right back to my grandmother’s kitchen, doesn’t it? This dish is pure comfort food, miles away from its Hungarian cousin with the paprika. Think cozy, hearty, and ridiculously easy – the perfect one-pot wonder for any night of the week. My American goulash recipe is all about bringing that fuss-free, budget-friendly deliciousness to your table, just like I learned from years of making real food happen in a busy life. It’s the kind of meal that makes everyone happy, and honestly, making it is almost as satisfying as eating it!

Why You’ll Love This Easy American Goulash

Seriously, what’s not to love? This American goulash is a weeknight warrior!

• Super Speedy: We’re talking dinner on the table in under an hour, folks! Perfect for those crazy busy evenings.
• One-Pot Wonder: Less cleanup means more time for, well, eating! Everything cooks right in one pot.
• Ultimate Comfort Food: It’s hearty, savory, and just plain delicious. This is the kind of meal that hugs you from the inside.
• Family Favorite: It’s a crowd-pleaser that even the pickiest eaters will gobble up!

Gather Your Ingredients for the Best Goulash

Alright, let’s get our mise en place ready for this amazing American goulash! You’ll be surprised at how many of these pantry staples you probably already have on hand. Trust me, the magic is in these simple, honest ingredients coming together in one pot. Here’s what you’ll need for a fantastic, comforting bowl:

• 1 pound ground beef (80/20 is great for flavor!)
• 1 medium onion, chopped nice and fine
• 2 cloves garlic, minced (don’t skimp on this!)
• 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
• 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
• 1 cup beef broth
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce (adds that little something special)
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 1/2 cups elbow macaroni (the classic shape for this dish!)
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, if you’re feeling cheesy (and who isn’t?)

SAVE IT

How to Make Perfect American Goulash: Step-by-Step

Alright, get ready to make the most delicious bowl of American goulash you’ve ever had! This is where the magic happens, all in one pot, just like my Grandma used to make. It’s so simple, even if you’re new to cooking, you’ll nail it. This recipe is a lifesaver for busy weeknights, and honestly, the smell that fills your kitchen while it simmers is just heavenly. Find a cozy spot here for more ideas for easy weeknight dinners!

Browning the Beef and Aromatics

First things first, grab your biggest pot or a Dutch oven. Pop in that ground beef and onion, and let them get nice and browned over medium-high heat. My trick is to break up the meat as it cooks so there are no big chunks. Once it’s all browned and happy, just drain off any extra grease. Ew, nobody wants a greasy goulash!

Simmering the Flavorful Sauce

Now, toss in that minced garlic and let it get fragrant for about a minute – careful not to burn it! Then, add in your crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, beef broth, that little bit of Worcestershire sauce for depth, and all those lovely dried herbs and seasonings: oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Give it all a good stir and let it come to a nice, gentle simmer. This is where all those yummy flavors start to meld together.

Cooking the Macaroni to Perfection

Here comes the pasta! Add your elbow macaroni right into the simmering sauce. Stir it all up really well so every little piece is coated. Now, put the lid on, turn that heat down to low, and let it do its thing for about 15 to 20 minutes. You’ll want to give it a stir every now and then just to make sure nothing sticks to the bottom – nobody likes burnt bits! The pasta will cook right in that flavorful sauce, soaking up all those delicious tomatoey, beefy notes. It’s like magic, but better! If you’re ever looking for pasta inspiration, check out my recipe for Instant Pot Mac and Cheese!

SAVE IT

Finishing Touches and Serving

Once the macaroni is perfectly tender and the sauce has thickened up just right, you’re pretty much done! If you’re going for that cheesy goodness, now’s the time to stir in that shredded cheddar cheese until it’s all melty. Serve it up hot, piping bowls of pure comfort!

SAVE IT

Tips for the Best American Goulash

Okay, so you’ve got the recipe, but let’s make sure your American goulash is absolutely *stellar*. I’ve learned a few little secrets over the years that really make this dish sing. It’s all about those little tweaks, right? I love serving this with a simple side salad or some crusty bread, you can find tons of ideas for amazing side dishes right here on the blog!

Ingredient Substitutions and Variations

Don’t be afraid to play around a bit! If you don’t have elbow macaroni, any small pasta shape will do – shells, rotini, even ditalini works! Sometimes I swap half the ground beef for Italian sausage for an extra flavor boost, or toss in some chopped bell peppers or mushrooms with the onions if I’ve got them. And remember that spicy kick? Sprinkle in some red pepper flakes when you add the other seasonings if you like a little heat. It’s your goulash, make it yours!

Make-Ahead and Storage

One of the best things about this American goulash is that it tastes even better the next day! You can totally make it ahead of time. Let it cool completely, then store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, just pop it in a pot on the stove over low heat, stirring occasionally, or zap it in the microwave. You might need to add a splash of broth or water to loosen it up a bit if it’s gotten too thick.

SAVE IT

Frequently Asked Questions About American Goulash

Got questions about this super cozy American goulash? I totally get it! It’s a dish that brings up a lot of memories, and sometimes you just want to make sure you’ve got it *just* right. Let me clear up a few things!

Is American Goulash the same as Hungarian Goulash?

Nope, not at all! This is the big one! Hungarian goulash is a rich, slow-cooked stew usually made with beef, lots of paprika, and often served over noodles or dumplings. Our American goulash is a much simpler, quicker dish, all cooked in one pot with macaroni and ground beef in a tomato-y sauce. Think childhood comfort food versus a hearty, traditional stew.

My American Goulash seems a little too soupy. How can I thicken it?

No worries, that happens! The easiest way to thicken it up is to just let it simmer uncovered for a few more minutes. The pasta will keep cooking and soaking up that yummy sauce. If it’s still a bit too thin for your liking, you can mix a tablespoon of cornstarch with a couple of tablespoons of cold water to make a slurry, then stir that into the simmering goulash. It’ll thicken right up!

What can I serve with American Goulash?

This is already a complete meal in one pot, but I love a little something extra on the side! A simple green salad is perfect to balance it out, or some warm, crusty bread for dipping is always a winner. For more ideas, check out my favorite soups and salads that pair wonderfully!

Can I make this recipe spicier?

You bet! If you love a little kick, just add about a quarter teaspoon of red pepper flakes along with your other seasonings when you’re making the sauce. You can also add a dash of hot sauce at the end, or even some diced jalapeños when you’re cooking the onions. It’s easy to turn up the heat!

Nutritional Information for This Comfort Skillet Meal

Just a friendly heads-up – these numbers are estimates, okay? What you end up with can vary depending on the brands you use and exactly how much of everything you add. But for a general idea, one generous serving of this American goulash has about 450 calories, around 20g of fat, and a solid 25g of protein to keep you going!

Share Your Thoughts and Rate This Recipe!

So, tell me, how did your American goulash adventure turn out? Did you try any fun variations, or did your family devour it just as is? I’d absolutely LOVE to hear all about it in the comments below! And if you loved this comforting skillet meal, please give it a good rating. It really helps other home cooks find their next favorite dish. If you have any final questions, feel free to drop me a line on my contact page!

Easy American Goulash

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A simple, one-pot American goulash recipe with ground beef and macaroni in a savory tomato sauce. This is a comforting and budget-friendly meal perfect for weeknights.

• Author: Carla Davis
• Prep Time: 15 min
• Cook Time: 30 min
• Total Time: 45 min
• Yield: 6 servings 1x
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
• 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
• 1 cup beef broth
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 1/2 cups elbow macaroni
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional)

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Instructions

1. In a large pot or Dutch oven, brown the ground beef with the chopped onion over medium-high heat. Drain off any excess grease.
2. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more until fragrant.
3. Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Bring the mixture to a simmer.
4. Add the elbow macaroni to the pot. Stir to combine.
5. Cover the pot and reduce the heat to low. Simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until the macaroni is tender and the sauce has thickened, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
6. If desired, stir in the shredded cheddar cheese until melted.
7. Serve hot.

Notes

• For a spicier goulash, add a pinch of red pepper flakes with the other seasonings.
• This recipe is great for meal planning and can be made ahead.

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 serving
• Calories: 450
• Sugar: 10g
• Sodium: 800mg
• Fat: 20g
• Saturated Fat: 8g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 45g
• Fiber: 5g
• Protein: 25g
• Cholesterol: 70mg