Name: Classic Goulash
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 8
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 pounds ground pork sausage; 1 cup onion (diced); 1 tablespoon garlic (minced); 1 large can crushed tomatoes ((28 ounces)); 2 cans petite diced tomatoes ((15 ounces each)); 3 cups beef broth; 2 tablespoons Italian seasoning; 1 teaspoon salt; 2 cups macaroni noodles (uncooked); 2 cup cheddar cheese (shredded (8 ounces)); Additional salt and pepper to taste

Classic Goulashis a one pot recipe that is family friendly and great for a busy weeknight meal. It is affordable, feeds a crowd and everyone enjoys it.

If you aren’t familiar with goulash it is basically a concoction of ground beef, bell pepper, onion and pasta that is cooked in a tomato based sauce.Throw in some cheese at the end and you’re done in just about 30 minutes.

top view of two bowls of goulash and the whole pot next to it

Classic Goulash

To make this goulash recipe I use a big ol’ pot. It makes a substantial amount so you will need the extra room. I love to serve this when I am having guests over and especially during colder months. There are no fancy ingredients and it is so quick to make.

You can make this goulash leaner by using ground turkey in the place of ground beef if you’d like. This recipe is also really forgiving if you want to add in extra vegetables like corn, green beans or carrots.

The consistency of goulash is thicker than soup-more like a pasta stew. I like it that way but if you prefer more of a thinner soup then you can add in some beef broth to thin it out more.

a pot of goulash which is red sauce and elbow pasta like soup with ground beef and a wooden spoon

Ingredients

Ground pork sausage:this is the star of the show, use what you like or have on hand it’s ok if you want to sub part of it for ground beef, both work great
Onion and garlic:these add lots of flavor, you cook them up with the meat
Crushed tomatoes and petite diced tomatoes:I love that this recipes uses canned tomatoes because they are always in my pantry
Beef broth:this is the cooking broth for your noodles
Italian seasoning:I love this seasoning blend, so many flavors in one mix
Macaroni noodles:you can use any small pasta that you like, macaroni is a classic
Cheddar cheese:this is mixed in and melted in the dish, you can use a variety of cheeses or what you like

Recipe Instructions

Cook up the meat and the onions.
Add the garlic, tomatoes, spices, and broth the the pan.
Add the noodles and cook until the noodles are cooked though.
When the noodles are cooked, stir in the cheese.
SO easy! Serve hot and enjoy. So hearty and easy!

close up of two bowls of goulash with a pot in the background

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you have to drain the fat from ground beef?

Most of the time I drain the fat from the ground beef. If you are using a 90/10 ground beef you don’t need to but in general it will make the dish healthier as well as less oily from the extra grease.

What type of pasta is best for goulash?

Macaroni noodles are the most commonly used but you have use any smaller shaped pasta like orzo or ditalini.

Where did goulash originate from?

Where did goulash originate from?Goulash originated in Hungary. However this version of goulash is American or also known as American Chop Suey. It came to American via immigrants because it was affordable and fed lots of people.

What food goes well with goulash?

I like to serve a loaf of bread or a simple green salad with goulash. Not much else is needed because you have protein, fat and carbs.

More Recipes

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Goulashis a hearty dish that features ground beef and tender noodles in a savory tomato sauce. It tastes delicious and makes for easy clean up because you only use one pot.