American Goulash Recipe (2024)

Julie Clark

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Have dinner on the table in about 30 minutes with this easy American goulash. This beefy macaroni is loaded with diced tomatoes and tomato sauce….then topped with cheese.

Back when we were first married we made a lot of hamburger helper meals. Whether it was a cheesy macaroni and beef or even a tuna macaroni salad, elbow macs were cheap, so we ate a lot of it!

American Goulash Recipe (2)

What is goulash?

There are two different types of goulash. Hungarian goulash and American goulash. Hungarian goulash is a thick soup with meat and vegetables, usually seasoned with paprika. American goulash is very different. It generally has tomato sauce, macaroni and beef. It’s almost like a homemade hamburger helper.

American goulash is an easy dinner that can be prepped and ready to eat in just around 30 minutes.

What cut of meat is best for goulash?

We use a lean ground beef for this recipe. You could also use ground turkey if you’d like. If you want to spice it up a little, use Italian sausage. Delicious!

American Goulash Recipe (3)

What spices to put in goulash?

You’ll find that every goulash recipe is seasoned just a little differently. Ours has Italian seasoning, soy sauce, a pinch of sugar, salt & pepper and butter. It’s a very simply flavored dish. What other spices can you add to goulash? You can add garlic, bay leaves or even a little dried red pepper flakes for spice.

How do you make goulash with ground beef?

Here are some hints for making this recipe:

  • This is a great way to use up leftover cooked elbow macaroni. If you don’t have any leftovers to use up, cook the noodles the same time you are cooking the beef. Cook the noodles to al dente so they don’t get mushy.
  • Start cooking the ground beef ( we recommend 85% lean) and then when it is halfway done, add the chopped onion to cook along with it.
  • Drain off any fat, then add the tomato sauce and undrained tomatoes.
  • Add the seasonings and then allow the sauce to simmer for about 20 minutes.
  • Once the sauce has simmered, add the cooked elbow macaroni and heat through.
  • We recommend serving this easy dinner with a sprinkling of cheddar cheese. You could use parmesan cheese too!

American Goulash Recipe (4)

Can you freeze goulash?

Yes! Make the recipe is it describes in the recipe, then place it in a 9×13 baking pan. Cover it with plastic wrap, then wrap it in foil. Freeze for up to 2 months.

This casserole will reheat best if it is defrosted, so thaw it before you put it in the oven. Bake uncovered at 350º Fahrenheit for about 30-40 minutes until it is heated through. You may want to add a little extra spaghetti sauce and cheese if you are choosing the freezer method.

What goes with American goulash?

We recommend serving this goulash with a side salad and a piece of Italian bread. If you’re looking for a different type of vegetable side dish besides salad, try one of these:

  • Jalapeno Corn Casserole
  • Italian Green Beans
  • Slow Cooker Creamed Corn
  • Sweet Potato Fries
  • Christmas Green Beans

American Goulash Recipe (6)

Other Pasta Dinners

  • One Pot Sausage Pasta
  • Lasagna Noodle Casserole
  • Chicken Tetrazzini
  • Chicken Alfredo Pasta

American Goulash Recipe (7)

American Goulash Recipe (8)

American Goulash Recipe

4.48 from 17 votes

Have dinner on the table in about 30 minutes with this easy American goulash. This beefy macaroni is loaded with diced tomatoes and tomato sauce....then topped with cheese.

Servings 8

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time 30 minutes minutes

Total Time 35 minutes minutes

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Ingredients

US Customary - Metric

  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1/3 cup diced onion
  • 28 ounces canned diced tomatoes (undrained)
  • 28 ounces canned tomato sauce
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • Pinch sugar
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • Salt and pepper (to taste)
  • 1 pound elbow macaroni (cooked al dente)
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional)

Instructions

  • *If you don't already have cooked macaroni, boil the macaroni and cook to al dente while the beef is cooking.*

  • In a skillet over medium heat, brown and crumble the ground beef.

  • Add onion to the skillet when ground beef is about half done, cooking the onion along with the beef.

  • Add the diced tomatoes. Mix well.

  • Add the tomato sauce.Mix well.

  • Add the butter, soy sauce, sugar and Italian seasoning.

  • Simmer over low heat for 20 minutes.

  • Add the cooked macaroni and mix well.

  • Top with cheddar if desired and serve immediately.

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 469kcal | Carbohydrates: 52g | Protein: 23g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 58mg | Sodium: 929mg | Potassium: 822mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 730IU | Vitamin C: 16.7mg | Calcium: 173mg | Iron: 4.1mg

Author Julie Clark

Course Main Dish

Cuisine American

Calories 469

Keyword beefy macaroni, easy dinner idea, hamburger helper, how to make goulash

Have you tried this recipe?

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American Goulash Recipe (9)

American Goulash Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Is Hamburger Helper the same as goulash? ›

Is goulash the same as Hamburger Helper? Almost! This American goulash is made with ground beef and macaroni pasta in a tomato-y sauce which are all characteristics of the Hamburger Helper. However, goulash is more heavily spiced and tomato-focused while Hamburger Helper tends to be creamier, and cheesier.

What is goulash sauce made of? ›

How do you make goulash? Its really simple! Start by cooking the onion and browning the beef. Then you add the beef broth, tomatoes, tomato sauce, Worcestershire, and seasonings to the pot and let it all simmer before you toss in the pasta. Once the pasta is cooked, fold in the cheese, and it's ready to serve.

What is the difference between goulash and American Goulash? ›

Hungarian Goulash is a thick meat and vegetable stew with a broth that's heavily seasoned with paprika, while American Goulash is a quick dish made from ground beef, tomato sauce, herbs, and elbow macaroni noodles. It also goes by the name of American Chop Suey.

What is goulash called in the South? ›

American goulash, sometimes called slumgullion, is an American comfort food dish, similar to American chop suey. American goulash is usually referred to in the midwestern and southern United States as simply "goulash".

Why is American Goulash so different? ›

American goulash is more of a pasta and ground beef dish

Owing more influence to Italian-American cuisine than Hungarian, paprika isn't even a consistent addition, per Syracruse.com. The nostalgic family meal is synonymous with American chop suey, another macaroni-based one-pot dish.

What is the difference between American and traditional goulash? ›

American goulash is a one-pot dish of ground beef, pasta (often elbow macaroni), tomatoes and cheese. Sometimes it includes paprika, like its Hungarian counterpart. Since American goulash calls for ground beef, it cooks much faster than Hungarian goulash which relies on low-and-slow cooking to render the beef tender.

What are the two types of goulash? ›

Hungarian goulash and American goulash. Hungarian goulash is a thick soup with meat and vegetables, usually seasoned with paprika. American goulash is very different. It generally has tomato sauce, macaroni and beef.

What do you eat with goulash? ›

Serve up a hearty goulash for the ultimate comforting stew on winter nights. Searching for the perfect accompaniment? Try mashed potato, dumplings or your favourite veg.

What is another name for American goulash? ›

American chop suey is an American pasta casserole made with ground beef, macaroni and a seasoned tomato sauce, found in the cuisine of New England and other regions of the United States. Outside New England it is sometimes called American goulash or Johnny Marzetti, among other names.

Is goulash the same as stroganoff? ›

Traditional goulash is a stew/soup, usually using a cheaper cut of meat suited to slow cooking. It usually contains potatoes and other vegetables, as well as noodles. A true stroganoff consists of paprika-dusted fillet steak quickly pan fried with mushrooms and onions in a sour cream and brandy sauce.

What country has the best goulash? ›

Hungary's most famous food, the goulash, is a crimson-hued beef soup laced with vegetables and imparting the sweet-sharp flavor of fresh paprika. The dish is named after the herdsmen in eastern Hungary — the gulyás — who prepared this hearty soup in large cast-iron kettles.

Can you use tomato paste instead of tomato sauce? ›

Substitute Tomato Paste For Tomato Sauce

If you have a can of tomato paste in your pantry, you are in luck—this is the best substitution for tomato sauce. All you need is the tomato paste and water. Mix together 1 part tomato paste and 1 part water until well blended. Then, season your "sauce" to taste.

How do you thicken goulash? ›

Whisk a teaspoon of flour in a little cold water to make a slurry, then stir into the stew as it's cooking. Don't add dry flour directly to the stew as it may clump. After adding the slurry, bring the stew to boil. This will cook out the flour taste and allow the starch to swell.

What's another name for goulash? ›

While the mixture of ground beef, macaroni, and tomato sauce seems simple enough, thousands of users responded with a slew of different names. Beefaroni, goulash, slumgullion, Johnny Marzetti, American Chop Suey—the list goes on.

What is similar to Hamburger Helper? ›

10 Healthy Alternatives to Hamburger Helper
  • Quinoa Beef Skillet. ...
  • Turkey and Sweet Potato Hash. ...
  • Lentil Bolognese with Zucchini Noodles. ...
  • Cauliflower Rice Casserole. ...
  • Spaghetti Squash and Meat Sauce. ...
  • Chickpea Pasta with Veggie-Loaded Marinara. ...
  • Stuffed Bell Peppers with Ground Turkey and Quinoa. ...
  • Eggplant Lasagna.

What is considered goulash? ›

Goulash (Hungarian: gulyás) is a soup or stew of meat and vegetables seasoned with paprika and other spices. Originating in Hungary, goulash is a common meal predominantly eaten in Central Europe but also in other parts of Europe. It is one of the national dishes of Hungary and a symbol of the country.

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