Easy Ground Beef Goulash Recipe (Old-Fashioned Comfort Food)
This easy ground beef goulash recipe is a hearty, old-fashioned one-pot dinner the whole family will love. Ready in under 40 minutes with simple pantry staples.
The Cozy One-Pot Dinner Your Weeknights Have Been Missing
If there is one dish that truly delivers on the promise of easy, hearty, and crowd-pleasing, it is a good old-fashioned goulash recipe. This easy ground beef goulash is the kind of meal that fills the kitchen with a rich, savory tomato aroma, hits the table in under 40 minutes, and disappears fast. It is the definition of simple goulash done right.
This is not a fancy dish. It never was. Old-fashioned goulash recipes have been a weeknight staple in American kitchens for generations, built around humble ingredients like ground beef, canned tomatoes, and elbow macaroni. Think of it as a cross between a hearty pasta and a thick, meaty tomato stew. Comfort food at its absolute finest.
Using the right heavy-bottomed pot makes a real difference here since the pasta needs to simmer low and slow without scorching. A well-seasoned Dutch oven or a deep nonstick skillet is your best friend for this recipe.
Why This Recipe Works Every Time
What sets this hamburger goulash apart from a basic meat sauce is the one-pot method. The uncooked macaroni simmers directly in the tomato and beef broth mixture, soaking up all that incredible flavor as it cooks. No separate pot of boiling water. No extra dishes. Just one pan, one purpose.
A few things that make this easy goulash recipe especially reliable:
- Worcestershire sauce adds a deep, savory complexity that elevates the whole dish
- Paprika gives it that warm, slightly smoky undertone that is classic in old-fashioned goulash
- Bell pepper and onion cook down into the sauce and become almost invisible, adding sweetness and body without any fuss
- Cooking the pasta in the sauce means every single bite is full of flavor, not just coated in it
Chef's Tip: Do not skip draining the excess fat after browning the beef. Too much grease will make the sauce feel heavy and coat the pasta in an oily film rather than a rich, glossy sauce.
Simple Goulash, Endless Variations
One of the best things about this old-fashioned hamburger goulash recipe is how forgiving and flexible it is. Once you know the base, you can make it your own.
Some easy ways to switch it up:
- Add a pinch of red pepper flakes for a little heat
- Stir in a cup of frozen corn or peas in the last 5 minutes for extra color and texture
- Use ground turkey or ground pork instead of beef for a lighter version
- Top with shredded cheddar, sour cream, or fresh parsley for a finishing touch
- Want an oven-baked layered goulash? See the FAQ below for a full method
This is exactly the kind of recipe that works on a Tuesday when you are tired, on a Sunday when you want to feed a crowd, and in winter when you need something warm and deeply satisfying.
Ready to make it? Here is the full step-by-step recipe card:
Easy Ground Beef Goulash Recipe (Old-Fashioned Comfort Food)
This easy ground beef goulash recipe is a hearty, old-fashioned one-pot dinner the whole family will love. Ready in under 40 minutes with simple pantry staples.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 lb lean ground beef, 80/20 or 90/10 works great
- 2 cups elbow macaroni, uncooked
- 1 yellow onion, diced
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 28 oz crushed tomatoes, one large can
- 15 oz tomato sauce, one standard can
- 1 cup beef broth, low-sodium preferred
- 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp paprika, sweet or smoked
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp salt, adjust to taste
- 1/2 tsp black pepper, freshly ground
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, optional, for topping
Instruction
Heat the olive oil in a large, deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
Add the diced onion and green bell pepper. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened.
Add the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
Add the ground beef and break it apart with a wooden spoon. Cook until fully browned, about 6 to 8 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
Stir in the Worcestershire sauce, Italian seasoning, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Cook for 1 minute to bloom the spices.
Pour in the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, and beef broth. Stir everything together until well combined.
Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat, then stir in the uncooked elbow macaroni.
Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover the pot, and simmer for 18 to 20 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes, until the pasta is tender and has absorbed most of the sauce.
Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper as needed.
Remove from heat and let it rest for 5 minutes. Serve topped with shredded cheddar cheese if desired.
Equipment
- Large deep skillet or Dutch oven (at least 5-quart)
- Wooden spoon or spatula
- Chef's knife and cutting board
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Colander (for draining fat if needed)
Notes
Serving, Storing, and Making It Ahead
This goulash is a complete meal all on its own, but it pairs beautifully with crusty bread, a simple green salad, or roasted vegetables on the side.
For storage, let leftovers cool completely before transferring to an airtight container. They keep well in the refrigerator for up to 4 days and reheat like a dream with just a splash of broth or water stirred in. The pasta will thicken up considerably as it sits, which is honestly part of the charm.
This recipe also freezes beautifully for up to 3 months. Portion it into freezer-safe containers before adding any cheese topping, and you have got effortless future dinners ready to go.
Whether you call it old-fashioned goulash, hamburger goulash, or simply weeknight pasta, one thing is for certain: this is the easy goulash recipe you will come back to again and again.
