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Home » Recipes » Beef

Old Fashioned Goulash with Ground Beef

Published: Nov 28, 2022 · Modified: Feb 27, 2024 by Sarah Baumeister · This post may contain affiliate links · 2 Comments

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If you are looking for a cheesy old fashioned goulash with ground beef recipe, look no further! An american comfort food classic, hamburger goulash combines a seasoned tomato and ground meat sauce with elbow noodles and shredded cheese. This one pot meal is a family favorite.

up close of old fashioned goulash.

This type of all in one dinner is my husband's favorite! Anything that's a casserole, whether on the stovetop or in the oven, always gets high remarks, and multiple trips up for seconds and thirds! It's right up there with Tortellini Soup.

Cooking meals like this classic goulash recipe can also be a more cost effective to feed a large group or to simply make your meals stretch further. By adding more noodles/veggies, you can make one pound of ground meat go a lot farther than if it were on its own.

Looking for another casserole with ground beef? Try this Green Bean Tater Tot Casserole with Ground Beef.

Jump to:
  • Ingredient Notes
  • How to make old fashioned goulash
  • Recipe Tip
  • Variations and substitutions 
  • What should you serve goulash with 
  • Storage, Freezing, and Reheating
  • More one pot meals
  • Recipe FAQs
  • Old Fashioned Goulash with Ground Beef
green bowl filled with classic american goulash.

Ingredient Notes

ingredients for old fashioned goulash on a white background.
  • ground beef
  • large yellow onion
  • garlic cloves
  • paprika
  • italian seasoning
  • salt
  • black pepper
  • beef broth
  • worcestershire
  • uncooked elbow macaroni 
  • canned diced tomatoes
  • canned tomato sauce
  • bay leaf
  • shredded monterey jack cheese or shredded cheddar cheese 

How to make old fashioned goulash

browned ground beef and onions.

Step 1. In a large skillet or dutch oven, add ground beef and brown over medium heat. Once the meat is browned, you can drain off some of the fat that has been rendered. I like to leave just a little bit to saute the onions in and to add flavor. Add diced onions and saute until translucent, about 3-4 minutes.

spices added to browned beef.

Step 2. Add minced garlic, along with paprika, italian seasoning, bay leaf, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine.

beef broth added to goulash ingredients.

Step 3. Add beef broth, worcestershire sauce, canned diced tomatoes, and canned tomato sauce.

tomato and ground beef mixed together.

Step 4. Stir and allow to simmer for 20 minutes.

dry noodles added to goulash sauce.

Step 5. Add dry noodles and cook for an additional 10 minutes, or until pasta is cooked. 

shredded cheese added to finished goulash.

Step 6. Remove bay leaf and stir in shredded cheese. Stir and Enjoy!

pot of finished goulash.

Recipe Tip

Some people prefer to cook their noodles separately and stir the dish together just before serving or serve the goulash on top of noodles like a sauce. This can allow for firmer noodles if you prefer that!

Variations and substitutions 

  • Add veggies. This classic american goulash recipe is great as is, but why not add more veggies and more nutrition to it! Add diced green pepper, celery, carrots, chopped spinach, broccoli, zucchini, any of your favorite vegetables. 
  • Double the meat. Make this ground beef goulash extra meaty by adding in an additional 1 lb. of ground beef during the browning stage.
  • Make it spicy. Add 1 tsp. (or more) of red pepper flakes to give this a bit of a kick.
up close of finished american goulash.

What should you serve goulash with 

Because this is an all in one dinner, you can serve it on it's own. If you want, you could also pair it with a simple salad or steamed veggie on the side.

To top it off, add more shredded cheese or a dash of hot sauce. 

Storage, Freezing, and Reheating

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for around 4 days.

Goulash freezes really well and can be reheated on the stove or in the microwave. You can even place it in a casserole dish and it would work as a great freezer meal to keep or give away. 

To reheat a frozen whole casserole dish of this easy goulash recipe, cover with foil and bake at 375 for 45-55 minutes until completely heated through. 

bowl of classic goulash.

More one pot meals

  • one pan creamy chicken and gnocchi
  • green bean tater tot casserole
  • pizza baked chicken

Recipe FAQs

What meat is used in goulash?

Traditional old fashioned goulash is generally made with ground beef. If you want you can substitute in ground turkey or ground venison for a leaner dish. I love ground venison goulash because it's very hearty and the worcestershire sauce complements the deer meat really nicely. 

What are other names for goulash?

People call this dish by different names. Depending on the region you are from and your family of origin you may know this dish as goulash, american goulash, american chop suey, slumgullion, Johnny Marzetti. These dishes all vary slightly but most have the same basic features like elbow noodles, ground meat, tomatoes, and onions. Most have cheese in them, as well.

What is the difference between Hungarian goulash and american goulash?

Hungarian goulash is a cousin of this dish but is more of a stew or a soup and has chunks of meat rather than ground. Both have beef and paprika. 

If you tried this Old Fashioned Goulash with Ground Beef Recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it goes in the comments below. I love to hear from you.

finished dish shown up close in dutch oven.

Old Fashioned Goulash with Ground Beef

Sarah Baumeister
A classic recipe for Old Fashioned Goulash with Ground Beef has loads of noodles and meat in a deliciously cheesy spiced tomato sauce.
4.43 from 21 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes mins
Cook Time 40 minutes mins
Total Time 45 minutes mins
Course Beef
Cuisine American
Servings 6 servings
Calories 492 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb. ground beef
  • 1 large yellow onion diced
  • 4 garlic cloves minced
  • 1 tsp. paprika
  • 1 tbsp. italian seasoning
  • 1 tsp. salt
  • ½ tsp. black pepper
  • 2 cups beef broth
  • 1 tbsp. worcestershire
  • 2 cups. uncooked elbow pasta
  • 2 15 oz. cans diced tomatoes
  • 2 15 oz. cans tomato sauce
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 ½ cups shredded monterey jack cheese

Instructions
 

  • In a large skillet or dutch oven, add ground beef and begin to brown over medium heat. 
  • Once the meat is browned, you can drain off some of the fat that has been rendered. I like to leave just a little bit to saute the onions in and to add flavor.
  • Add diced onions and saute until translucent, about 3-4 minutes.
  • Add minced garlic, along with paprika, italian seasoning, bay leaf, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine.
  • Add beef broth, worcestershire sauce,  canned diced tomatoes, and canned tomato sauce. Stir and allow to simmer for 20 minutes.
  • Add dry noodles and cook for an additional 10 minutes, or until pasta is cooked. 
  • Remove bay leaf and stir in shredded cheese.
  • Enjoy!

Notes

Some people prefer to cook their noodles separately and stir the dish together just before serving or serve the goulash on top of noodles like a sauce. This can allow for firmer noodles if you prefer that!

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 492kcalCarbohydrates: 37gProtein: 35gFat: 23gSaturated Fat: 11gPolyunsaturated Fat: 10gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 92mgSodium: 1842mgFiber: 7gSugar: 11g
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Nicki

    October 10, 2024 at 4:36 pm

    5 stars
    This was a huge hit at our house! I added an extra half cup of noodles and it was still plenty saucy and didn't dry out when reheating. Will definitely make again!!

    Reply
    • Sarah Baumeister

      November 23, 2024 at 2:34 am

      So glad to hear it Nicki! Thank you for taking the time to leave a comment.

      Reply
4.43 from 21 votes (20 ratings without comment)

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Hi, I'm Sarah!

I am a wife, mother, and believer. I have been cooking since I can remember and love sharing recipes with all of you. You will find a variety of recipes here from healthy family dinners, to ways to prepare venison, to soups, to baked goods, anything and everything delicious.

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