By Becky Hardin
Updated Jun 10, 2025
If there is one recipe my kids request that I make time and time again, it’s this family-friendly pasta. This Goulash Recipe is a hearty mix of ground beef, macaroni, and tomato sauce. I cook it all in one pot for a quick and easy dinner the whole family loves.
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5-Star Review
“Delicious! Permanent part of the regular dinner rotation!” -Karen
When I need a quick, hearty meal that I know everyone will love, I turn to this Goulash recipe. This easy goulash has over 500 5-star reviews. I’m proud that so many people around the world have made it and decided they loved it enough to let me know. I hope your family loves it as much as ours.
When I want more veggies, I mix in carrots, potatoes, and other hearty veggies, and the kids scarf them down without even noticing. I always par-cook them so they are slightly tender, then add them in with the rest of the ingredients.
Ingredients1x2x3x
- ▢ ¾ pound ground beef ground turkey, chicken, or pork, or ground veal or bison also work
- ▢ ½ yellow onion diced
- ▢ 2 cups low sodium beef broth chicken and vegetable also work
- ▢ 14.5 ounces diced tomatoes (1 can)
- ▢ 1 cup marinara sauce store-bought or homemade
- ▢ 1 tablespoon brown sugar optional, for a sweeter sauce
- ▢ 1 bay leaf
- ▢ 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning store-bought or homemade
- ▢ 2 teaspoons low-sodium soy sauce
- ▢ 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ▢ ½ teaspoon ground paprika
- ▢ ½ teaspoon seasoned salt or to taste
- ▢ ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper or to taste
- ▢ 1 cup dry elbow macaroni any short or tubular pasta works
- ▢ ½ cup freshly shredded sharp cheddar cheese optional
- ▢ chopped fresh parsley optional, for garnish
Video
Instructions
- In a Dutch oven, cook the ground beef and onion together until the onion softens and the meat cooks through, about 3-5 minutes. ¾ pound ground beef, ½ yellow onion
- Drain any grease.
- Add the beef broth, marinara sauce, diced tomatoes, bay leaf, Italian seasoning, soy sauce, garlic powder, paprika, seasoned salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil. 2 cups low sodium beef broth, 14.5 ounces diced tomatoes, 1 cup marinara sauce, 1 bay leaf, 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning, 2 teaspoons low-sodium soy sauce, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon ground paprika, ½ teaspoon seasoned salt, ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- Turn heat down to medium low and simmer for 5 or 10 minutes, covered.
- Add the elbow macaroni and simmer, covered, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is tender, about 12-15 minutes. Don’t overcook. 1 cup dry elbow macaroni
- Remove the bay leaves and adjust the seasonings to taste.
- Add the shredded cheese, optional. If you are using a Dutch oven, you can pop it in the oven and melt and brown the cheese if desired. ½ cup freshly shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- Garnish the finished dish with chopped parsley, optional. chopped fresh parsley
Equipment
- Dutch Oven
Becky’s Tips
- When the goulash is warm , it will resemble soup, but it will thicken as it cools .
- Cook the goulash in a Dutch oven or heavy-based pot . This will distribute the heat more evenly, so you are less likely to get hot spots, which can burn the bottom.
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
How to Make Goulash American Style Step by Step
Cook the meat: In a Dutch oven, cook 3/4 pound of ground beef and 1/2 an onion together until the onion softens and the meat cooks through, about 3-5 minutes. Drain any grease.
Add the seasoning: Add 2 cups low sodium beef broth, 14.5 ounces diced tomatoes, 1 cup marinara sauce, 1 bay leaf, 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning, 2 teaspoons low-sodium soy sauce, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon ground paprika, ½ teaspoon seasoned salt, and ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper. Bring to a boil.
Simmer : Turn heat down to medium-low and simmer for 5 or 10 minutes, covered.
Add the pasta : Add 1 cup of elbow macaroni and simmer, covered, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is tender, about 12-15 minutes. Don’t overcook. Remove the bay leaves and adjust the seasonings to taste.
Add cheese : Add 1/2 cup shredded cheese, optional. If you are using a Dutch oven, you can pop it in the oven and melt and brown the cheese if desired.
Garnish, serve, and enjoy: Garnish the finished dish with chopped parsley, optional.
How to Store
I store leftover goulash in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. When ready to serve, reheat on the stove over medium-low heat or in the microwave in 30-second increments until warmed through.
Let the goulash cool completely before transferring it to Ziplock bags or an airtight container. It will keep well for 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Serving Suggestions
This hearty American Chop Suey makes a great dinner by itself, but I find it also pairs well with Southern classic cornbread , everyday dinner rolls , or any kind of bread you like for a bit of scooping and dipping. My kids love it best when I serve it with a side of fluffy mashed potatoes or cheesy au gratin potatoes .
more Ground Beef recipes we love
Cheeseburger Casserole
Taco Casserole
Shepherd’s Pie
Hamburger Casserole Recipe
Easy Goulash Recipe (American Style)
Equipment
- Dutch Oven
Ingredients
- ¾ pound ground beef ground turkey, chicken, or pork, or ground veal or bison also work
- ½ yellow onion diced
- 2 cups low sodium beef broth chicken and vegetable also work
- 14.5 ounces diced tomatoes (1 can)
- 1 cup marinara sauce store-bought or homemade
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar optional, for a sweeter sauce
- 1 bay leaf
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning store-bought or homemade
- 2 teaspoons low-sodium soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon ground paprika
- ½ teaspoon seasoned salt or to taste
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper or to taste
- 1 cup dry elbow macaroni any short or tubular pasta works
- ½ cup freshly shredded sharp cheddar cheese optional
- chopped fresh parsley optional, for garnish
Instructions
- In a Dutch oven, cook the ground beef and onion together until the onion softens and the meat cooks through, about 3-5 minutes. ¾ pound ground beef, ½ yellow onion
- Drain any grease.
- Add the beef broth, marinara sauce, diced tomatoes, bay leaf, Italian seasoning, soy sauce, garlic powder, paprika, seasoned salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil. 2 cups low sodium beef broth, 14.5 ounces diced tomatoes, 1 cup marinara sauce, 1 bay leaf, 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning, 2 teaspoons low-sodium soy sauce, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon ground paprika, ½ teaspoon seasoned salt, ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- Turn heat down to medium low and simmer for 5 or 10 minutes, covered.
- Add the elbow macaroni and simmer, covered, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is tender, about 12-15 minutes. Don’t overcook. 1 cup dry elbow macaroni
- Remove the bay leaves and adjust the seasonings to taste.
- Add the shredded cheese, optional. If you are using a Dutch oven, you can pop it in the oven and melt and brown the cheese if desired. ½ cup freshly shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- Garnish the finished dish with chopped parsley, optional. chopped fresh parsley
Video
Notes
- When the goulash is warm , it will resemble soup, but it will thicken as it cools .
- Cook the goulash in a Dutch oven or heavy-based pot . This will distribute the heat more evenly, so you are less likely to get hot spots, which can burn the bottom.
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
