By Becky Hardin
Updated Jun 12, 2025
Crockpot Goulash is flavorful, beefy, and delightfully cheesy! Easy to make in the slow cooker, this pasta recipe is incredibly simple and wholly satisfying—the epitome of comfort food!
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5-Star Review
“Excellent goulash! I did cut the recipe in half and used two 20 oz cans of diced tomatoes, everything else followed, delicious flavor! This recipe is a keeper. Thanks, Becky, for a great recipe.” -Lee T.
Goulash is traditionally a Hungarian dish, but what I am making is the American version in a Crockpot! Cheesy, beefy, and flavorful as can be. Goulash is the best way to use up that box of elbow macaroni that’s been sitting in your pantry!
Since this slow-cooked goulash is such a heavy dish, it can be served as a hearty meal all by itself or with a small side dish.
Ingredients1x2x3x
- ▢ 2 pounds ground beef or try ground turkey, chicken, pork or plant based protein
- ▢ 1 large onion diced, white or yellow
- ▢ 4 garlic cloves fresh, minced
- ▢ 4 cups water measure carefully
- ▢ 4 beef bouillon cubes
- ▢ 28 ounces crushed tomatoes 1 standard can, or use petite diced tomatoes
- ▢ 30 ounces petite diced tomatoes 2 15-ounce cans
- ▢ 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- ▢ 3 bay leaves
- ▢ 2 tablespoons Italian Seasoning
- ▢ 1 teaspoon salt
- ▢ 4 cups elbow macaroni shells also work
- ▢ 1 cup cheddar cheese freshly shredded
Video
Instructions
- In a nonstick pan over medium heat, cook the ground beef until it’s no longer pink, about 7-10 minutes. Drain and add to the crockpot. 2 pounds ground beef
- Add the onion, garlic, water, bouillon cubes, crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, Worcestershire sauce, bay leaves, Italian seasoning, and salt. Stir well. 1 large onion, 4 garlic cloves, 4 cups water, 4 beef bouillon cubes, 28 ounces crushed tomatoes, 30 ounces petite diced tomatoes, 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce, 3 bay leaves, 2 tablespoons Italian Seasoning, 1 teaspoon salt
- Cover and cook on low for 4-5 hours or on high for 2 hours.
- 30 minutes prior to serving, stir in the macaroni. Cover and cook just until the noodles are tender. 4 cups elbow macaroni
- Remove the bay leaves and stir in the cheddar cheese. 1 cup cheddar cheese
- Serve immediately so that the pasta does not turn mushy.
Equipment
- 1 Crockpot between 5-6 quarts
Becky’s Tips
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
How to Make Crockpot Goulash Step by Step
Cook the ground beef : In a nonstick pan over medium heat, cook 2 pounds of ground beef until it’s no longer pink, about 7-10 minutes. Drain and add to the crockpot.
Add the flavoring: Stir in 1 large onion, 4 garlic cloves, 4 cups water, 4 beef bouillon cubes, a 28 ounce can of crushed tomatoes, a 30 ounce can of petite diced tomatoes, 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce, 3 bay leaves, 2 tablespoons Italian seasoning and 1 teaspoons salt and stir well.
Let the goulash cook : Cover and cook on low for 4-5 hours or on high for 2 hours.
Add the macaroni: 30 minutes prior to serving, stir in 4 cups of macaroni. Cover and cook just until the noodles are tender.
Remove the bay leaves and stir in the cheddar cheese. Pick out the bay leaves and stir in 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese.
Serve and enjoy : Serve immediately so that the pasta does not turn mushy.
How to Store and Reheat
Once cooled to room temperature, you can store your leftover beef goulash in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. Reheat for 30 seconds at a time in the microwave, stirring each time it stops, until warmed through.
Freeze slow cooker goulash for up to 3 months. Let thaw in the fridge before reheating. Don’t forget to date and label!
Serving Suggestions
This goulash is a meal all on its own! However, if you want to add a bit of freshness to the side, this crunchy Air Fryer ranch broccoli is a great kid-friendly option. These uber savory bacon wrapped green bean bundles are also a good choice. If you’re craving a salad, this cheesy creamy pea salad is simply divine.
more crockpot dinner recipes we love
Crockpot Chicken Breast
Crock Pot Honey Garlic Chicken
Crockpot Chicken and Rice
Crockpot Cheeseburgers (Cheeseburger Sloppy Joes)
Crockpot Goulash Recipe
Equipment
- 1 Crockpot between 5-6 quarts
Ingredients
- 2 pounds ground beef or try ground turkey, chicken, pork or plant based protein
- 1 large onion diced, white or yellow
- 4 garlic cloves fresh, minced
- 4 cups water measure carefully
- 4 beef bouillon cubes
- 28 ounces crushed tomatoes 1 standard can, or use petite diced tomatoes
- 30 ounces petite diced tomatoes 2 15-ounce cans
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 3 bay leaves
- 2 tablespoons Italian Seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 4 cups elbow macaroni shells also work
- 1 cup cheddar cheese freshly shredded
Instructions
- In a nonstick pan over medium heat, cook the ground beef until it’s no longer pink, about 7-10 minutes. Drain and add to the crockpot. 2 pounds ground beef
- Add the onion, garlic, water, bouillon cubes, crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, Worcestershire sauce, bay leaves, Italian seasoning, and salt. Stir well. 1 large onion, 4 garlic cloves, 4 cups water, 4 beef bouillon cubes, 28 ounces crushed tomatoes, 30 ounces petite diced tomatoes, 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce, 3 bay leaves, 2 tablespoons Italian Seasoning, 1 teaspoon salt
- Cover and cook on low for 4-5 hours or on high for 2 hours.
- 30 minutes prior to serving, stir in the macaroni. Cover and cook just until the noodles are tender. 4 cups elbow macaroni
- Remove the bay leaves and stir in the cheddar cheese. 1 cup cheddar cheese
- Serve immediately so that the pasta does not turn mushy.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
By Becky Hardin
Published Jul 12, 2017
This Essential Grocery List is an absolute life saver for my family on the busy weeks. When I started this journey to learn how to cook, I quickly realized that the first step in cooking is having staple ingredients on hand. I want to avoid having to run out to the grocery store every single time I prepare a new recipe. Having a well-stocked pantry has made my life in the kitchen so much simpler, because when it’s time to cook, I have what I need.
Essential Grocery List
It’s so helpful to have a basic grocery list to help me remember which foods to buy at the store. This food shopping list is my go-to!
It’s better to stock up on things like grains, seasonings and spices, baking essentials, oils, condiments, canned and frozen foods, etc. so I can just grab them when I need them. These things have a long shelf life , so I keep them in my kitchen for convenience.
However, I do have to go to the supermarket sometimes, and there’s a way to make that trip easy and hassle-free: I keep a grocery list! If I go in blindly, I’ll leave with things I don’t need, and nothing that actually helps me prepare a good meal.
In the list below, I’ve compiled everything I always have on my stock-up grocery list.
I’ve got you covered! I created an easy grocery list filled with all of the essentials. Plus there’s a free printable version that you can take with you to the grocery store. It has everything you need to stock your pantry, your freezer, and your refrigerator.
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List
What to Buy at the Grocery Store
This is the perfect grocery list filled with all the basics and essentials. It should help get you going if you’re new to cooking, or if you’re just left staring helplessly at an empty pantry and don’t know how to fill it.
When I first started cooking, things could seem overwhelming. I quickly realized that they more prepared I could be, the more confident I felt. If you already have the basics in your kitchen, then you can shop stress-free.
So print out our easy grocery list, stock up your pantry and fridge, and you’ll be cooking in no time!
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Fresh Produce
- Apples
- Bananas
- Strawberries
- Avocados
- Bell Peppers
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Garlic
- Lemons/Limes
- Onion
- Parsley
- Cilantro
- Basil
- Potatoes
- Spinach
- Tomatoes
GRAINS
- Breadcrumbs
- Pasta
- Quinoa
- Rice
- Sandwich Bread
- Tortillas
MEAT/PROTEIN
- Chicken
- Eggs
- Ground Beef
- Sliced Turkey
- Lunch Meat
DAIRY
- Butter
- Sliced Cheese
- Shredded Cheese
- Milk
- Sour Cream
- Greek Yogurt
BAKING GOODS
- Baking powder
- Baking Soda
- Granulated Sugar
- Brown Sugar
- Flour
- Honey
- Vanilla Extract
- Dry Yeast
- Chocolate Chips
- Cocoa Powder
- Powdered Sugar
FREEZER
- Fruit and Berries
- Frozen Veggies (Corn, Peas, Broccoli, etc)
- Juice Concentrate
- Pizza or Other Convenience Meals
- Pie Crust
- Cookie Dough
CANNED/DRIED GOODS
- Chicken stock/broth
- Salsa
- Diced Tomatoes
- Jam/Jelly
- Peanut Butter
- Pasta Sauce
- Beans (Black Beans, Chickpeas, Baked Beans, etc)
- Soups
- Tuna
- Green Chiles
- Canned Veggies
- Coffee or Tea
Get more details on the best non-perishable and pantry foods
CONDIMENTS/SPICES
- Black Pepper
- Chili Powder
- Cinnamon
- Crushed Red Pepper
- Cumin
- Garlic Powder
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Mayo
- Nutmeg
- Paprika
- Salt (Course Sea Salt and Kosher Salt)
- Soy Sauce
- Steak Sauce
- Hot Sauce/ Buffalo Sauce
- Salad Dressings
OILS/VINEGARS
- Apple cider vinegar
- Balsamic vinegar
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Vegetable/Canola Oil
- Red Wine Vinegar
- White Vinegar
- Cooking Wine
- White Wine Vinegar
SNACKS
- Crackers
- Nuts
- Quick Oats
- Popcorn
- Tortilla Chips
- Cereal
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Click ☝🏻 for my FREE Grocery List Printable!
I hope this essential grocery list can help you buy what you need and make your home cooking so much easier!
Stock Your Kitchen
Find more ideas for your grocery list, stock up your kitchen, and print more cooking guides and charts to keep handy!
Non-Perishable Foods to Stock Up On
Frozen Vegetables to Stock Up On (and Recipes to Make)
Ultimate List of Cooking Herbs for Your Kitchen
Ultimate List of Cooking Spices for Your Kitchen
Cooking Oil 101: Types of Cooking Oils to Use
26 Types of Pasta and When to Use Them
What Fruits and Vegetables are in Season?
Meat Temperature Chart (Free Printable)
How to Meal Prep (Guide for Beginners)
Basic Cooking Measurements & Kitchen Conversion Chart
