Here’s a classic American Goulash recipe—simple, hearty, and one-pot comfort food.
🍲 American Goulash (Easy One-Pot Recipe)
🥄 Ingredients (serves 4–6)
- 500g (1 lb) ground beef
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 green bell pepper, chopped (optional)
- 2 cups elbow macaroni (uncooked)
- 1 can (400g) diced tomatoes
- 1 can (400g) tomato sauce
- 2–3 cups beef broth or water
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning or oregano
- 1 tbsp oil
- Optional: shredded cheese for topping
🍳 Instructions
1. Brown the meat
- Heat oil in a large pot
- Cook ground beef until browned
- Drain excess fat if needed
2. Add vegetables
- Add onion, garlic, and bell pepper
- Cook 3–5 minutes until soft
3. Build the sauce
- Stir in diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and seasonings
- Add broth or water
4. Add pasta
- Stir in uncooked elbow macaroni
- Bring to a gentle boil
5. Simmer
- Reduce heat, cover, and cook 12–15 minutes
- Stir occasionally so pasta doesn’t stick
6. Finish
- Adjust salt/pepper
- Top with cheese if you like it melty
🧠 Tips
- Add a splash of Worcestershire sauce for deeper flavor
- Don’t overcook pasta—it should stay slightly firm
- Leftovers taste even better the next day
🍝 What makes it “American Goulash”?
Unlike Hungarian goulash (which is more like a stew), this version is:
- Pasta-based
- Tomato-rich
- A quick, budget-friendly one-pot meal
If you want, I can also give you a slow cooker version or a super cheesy baked goulash casserole.
