This Easy American Goulash is classic comfort food that’s budget-friendly and satisfying. I’ve prepared it with ground beef, a few canned goods, and simple pantry staples. It comes together in just one pot in 30 minutes, so I find it’s perfect for busy weeknights.

Easy American Goulash Recipe

Goulash is such an easy recipe to make, super delicious, and fun to say, no? Well, at least my kids think so.

Made with ground beef, macaroni pasta, a rich tomato-based sauce, and cheese, I find it’s a foolproof, delicious weeknight dinner with easy clean-up. My family loves this dish, and yours will, too!

This particular recipe is for American Goulash, also known as American chop suey, similar to my popular chili mac, made with ground beef, small pasta, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, chicken stock, cheese, and Italian seasonings. It’s not to be confused with traditional Hungarian Goulash, which is more of a stew made with chunks of meat and vegetables.

How to Make American Goulash Step by Step

Get the pan going: Heat 2 tbsp of olive oil in a large pan or Dutch oven.

Brown the beef and aromatics: Stir in 1 onion, 3 cloves of garlic, and 1 lb. of lean ground beef. Let simmer, breaking up the meat into small crumbles until it is cooked through and the vegetables are soft. This usually takes me between 3-5 minutes. Season with ½ tsp kosher salt, ¼ tsp crushed red pepper flakes, and a few turns of fresh cracked black pepper. Drain excess fat.

Add in the sauce ingredients: Stir in 2 tbsp tomato paste until combined, then pour in 2 cups chicken broth, 2 cups marinara sauce, 2 cans diced tomatoes (with their liquid), ½ tbsp Worcestershire sauce, 2 tsp Italian seasoning, and ½ tsp paprika. Season with a bit more salt and pepper, to taste.

Simmer: Bring to a boil and add in 1½ cups of dry pasta; cover, reduce the heat to a gentle simmer, and cook until pasta is tender, stirring occasionally. This usually takes me about 14 minutes.

Serve: Remove from heat, stir in the ¾ cup of cheese and ¼ cup parsley. Serve and enjoy!

Recipe Variations

• Make it spicy. Stir in chopped jalapeños along with the onion, or use a can of Rotel tomatoes instead of canned diced tomatoes.
• Use ground turkey. Swap the ground beef with ground turkey for a slightly leaner version.
• Add vegetables. Sauté some diced carrots or green bell pepper, along with the beef and onion.
• Try different cheeses. I love cheddar, but you can use Monterey Jack, Pepper Jack, or a combination of your favorites.
• Swap in beef stock. I always have chicken stock on hand, so that’s what I use, but beef stock can be used instead, which also provides richer flavor.

What to Serve with American Goulash

I like to serve this with warm homemade garlic bread or fluffy 7-Up biscuits to soak up every last bit of sauce, along with a simple side salad for a fresh, crunchy contrast. It’s an easy way to round out the meal and make dinner feel a little more special without adding extra work.

How to Store

Allow the goulash to cool completely, then transfer to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator. I find it is best eaten up within 3 days.

If you want to freeze leftovers, the noodles will absorb a lot of the liquid and tend to get mushy once defrosted, so freezing leftovers is not my preference, but you can. Transfer to a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge.

Gently reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave, adding a bit of chicken broth to loosen, if necessary.

More One Pot Meals

• Sloppy Joe Pasta
• Tuscan Chicken Pasta
• Chili Mac
• Broccoli and Bacon Pasta
• Pasta e Ceci
• Minestrone Soup