Slow Cooker Goulash with Hamburger - Ground Beef Recipes (2024)

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This American Slow Cooker Goulash with hamburger and pasta is a warm and comforting all-in-one meal that makes dinnertime easy.

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Slow Cooker Goulash: A Comforting Family Friendly Dinner

On days when you need more time with family and friends, reach for this classic ground beef goulash recipe. The hands-off cooking of the slow cooker gives you time to socialize, and when they smell this goulash simmering away, you won't have any trouble gathering them at the dinner table.

When it comes to flexibility, this recipe delivers. It’s a meal where you can add in extra vegetables and ingredients and the kids won’t even notice. (They’ll be too busy eating the noodles).

Slow Cooker Goulash works around your schedule. If needed, it can be on the table in two and a half hours, or it can simmer in the slow cooker for several hours and be ready whenever the kids start asking “what’s for dinner?”

Slow Cooker Goulash with Hamburger - Ground Beef Recipes (1)

This recipe makes a big batch, which means you’ll likely have leftovers to send for work and school lunches. Just make sure you have a Thermos that’s up to the task.

The benefit of this Goulash (and almost any slow cooker recipe) is walking into the house and being greeted by the sweet smells of dinner essentially cooking itself. There's nothing better than the smell of simmering tomato sauce and meat. It's why we love dishes like goulash and Creamy Beef Tomato Soup.

Plus, any anxieties about meal prep or cleanup melt away when you remember that this Slow Cooker Goulash has everything necessary for your meal all in one, so grab a bowl, and get ready for a cozy night at home with a full belly.

Slow Cooker Goulash with Hamburger - Ground Beef Recipes (2)

Why You Are Going to Love This Slow Cooker Goulash

It is easy. 15 minutes of prep, and then dump and run.
This recipe uses simple ingredients that you already have around.
Goulash is a one pot meal, so no side dishes are needed.
It has mass appeal. Whether you're a meat lover, a kid who plays with their food, or a parent who just wants their kid to eat a dang vegetable once this decade, there's something here for everyone.

Slow Cooker Goulash with Hamburger - Ground Beef Recipes (3)

Key Ingredients and Substitutions

Ground beef - An 80-90% lean meat is perfect, but you can also use ground turkey if you prefer.
Vegetables - This recipe uses the goulash classics: onion and green peppers. I like adding mushrooms sometimes. Baby portobellos have a hearty texture and do well in tomato dishes. If you add some chopped up spinach, no one will even notice and they’ll get the benefit of getting more leafy greens.
Seasoning - Italian seasoning (a combination of rosemary, oregano, basil, thyme, and sage) is what flavors this dish. If you like some kick or a hint of smokiness, add some red pepper flakes or a little smoked paprika.
Pasta- This recipe calls for elbow macaroni, but just about any pasta will work. I like to use a heartier slightly bigger macaroni noodle, like these.
Cheddar cheese - Classic sharp cheddar is our favorite, but really any blend of melting cheeses will work here (Monterey Jack, Colby Jack, or Mexican Blend), so let your preference be your guide.

How To Make Slow Cooker Goulash With Hamburger

Sear meat- Brown the ground beef in a skillet using our no-fail method for browning ground beef, then drain the fat, season, and add to the slow cooker.
Slow cook vegetables and sauce- This is why this recipe is so easy! You throw in all the vegetables and spices and let the slow cooker do its magic, melding the flavors together.

Slow Cooker Goulash with Hamburger - Ground Beef Recipes (4)

Slow Cooker Goulash with Hamburger - Ground Beef Recipes (5)

Stir in pasta- After cooking the meat, vegetables, and spices, you just toss in the pasta and let it cook until finished.
After it’s done simmering, add the cheese last! The heat will melt it, and then you’re set.
Serve with extra cheese and a side salad and enjoy with family and friends. This meal makes great leftovers.

Slow Cooker Goulash with Hamburger - Ground Beef Recipes (7)

Slow Cooker Goulash with Hamburger - Ground Beef Recipes (8)

Storage Instructions and Tips

If you cook your ground beef in the crock pot (*some slow cookers have a sear mode for browning meat) just remember that you will still have to drain the fat.
This recipe is infinitely flexible and perfect for helping you clear out the pantry or your refrigerator's produce drawer. Feel free to add additional frozen or canned veggies, just remember to drain any canned veggies, and always add cheese last.
Leftover crock pot goulash should be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. It’s easy to reheat in the microwave.

FAQs

What's the difference between Hungarian Goulash and American Goulash?

Hungarian Goulash is a beef stew with a rich broth heavily seasoned with paprika.

American Goulash, which is the recipe included here, is a simple pasta dish featuring tomato sauce, ground beef, and Italian herbs.

Can you put raw ground beef in the crock pot?

I only recommend adding raw beef to the crock pot if the slow cooker has a sear feature so you can brown the meat. Browning ground beef first builds flavor and results in a less oily final product.

What goes good with goulash?

Serve this hearty meal with homemade breadsticks, garlic bread, a simple side salad, or applesauce.

Slow Cooker Goulash with Hamburger - Ground Beef Recipes (10)

More Hearty Ground Beef Pasta Recipes

If you like the flavors in this Slow Cooker Goulash, try the casserole version! My Johnny Marzetti recipe is packed with tender pasta and tomato sauce and topped with melty baked cheese. This Company Casserole is another (creamier, cheesier) version we love.

We love making One Pot Lasagna Soup. It has all the creamy, beefy, cheesy flavors of lasagna in an easy-to-make package.

One Pot Taco Spaghetti is an extremely kid friendly and fun way to celebrate taco night.

Cheesy Baked Spaghetti Casserole is a make ahead friendly dish that kids and adults both love!

Instant Pot Chili Mac gets dinner done in a flash!

And of course, you can't ever go wrong with classic Crock Pot Spaghetti with Ground Beef.

📖 Recipe

Slow Cooker Goulash

4.1 from 19 votes

Print Pin

Prep Time: 15 minutes mins

Cook Time: 2 hours hrs 45 minutes mins

Total Time: 3 hours hrs

Ingredients

1 lb. ground beef
2 teaspoons olive oil
salt and pepper, to taste
1 small yellow onion (diced)
1 green pepper (diced)
3 cloves garlic (minced)
1 cup beef broth
1 24 ounce jar pasta sauce
1 15 oz can diced tomatoes
2 Tablespoons soy sauce
½ teaspoon Kosher salt
1 Tablespoon Italian seasoning
2 bay leaves
½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
2 cups elbow macaroni
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (plus more for serving)

Instructions

Heat a large skillet over medium high heat. Add oil and heat until shimmering. Add the beef, spreading it out in chunks over the pan. Cook undisturbed for several minutes, or until browned on the bottom. Stir, then continue to cook until browned and cooked through on all sides. Drain excess fat from the pan, then season with salt and pepper to taste. Add the ground beef to the crock pot.
Add all of the remaining ingredients except the macaroni and cheese to the slow cooker.
Cover and cook on the high setting for 2 hours or on the low setting for 4 hours.
After the allotted cook time, add the macaroni and let it cook an additional 30-35 minutes until the noodles reach the desired consistency.
Turn off the heat. Add the cheese and stir it into the pasta.
Serve immediately with additional shredded cheese.

Notes

In place of Italian seasoning, you can use the following:
½ teaspoon rosemary
1 teaspoon oregano
1 teaspoon basil
½ teaspoon thyme
½teaspoon sage

Alternatively, you can cook the pasta separately and stir it into the crock pot ingredients right before serving.

If you use different types of pasta, you made more or less cook time. Smaller macaroni noodles might be done at 25 minutes. Do not overcook the pasta, as it will get mushy.

Equipment

large nonstick skillet

wooden spoon

Slow Cooker

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Keyword American Goulash, Goulash in Crock Pot, Goulash with Hamburger

Nutrition

Slow Cooker Goulash with Hamburger - Ground Beef Recipes (2024)

FAQs

Can you put raw ground beef in a slow cooker? ›

Yes, you can totally cook raw beef in a slow cooker. Many slow-cooker chili recipes have a step for browning the beef before it goes into the Crock-Pot. While this step isn't necessary, caramelizing the meat creates richer, bolder flavors.

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Do you have to brown ground beef before putting it in the slow cooker? ›

Ground meat should always be browned in a skillet and drained before adding it to the slow cooker with the other ingredients. This process prevents it from clumping together as it cooks and cuts down on the amount of grease in the final dish.

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.

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How long does it take for ground beef to cook in a crockpot? ›

Place the ground beef into the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker. Break up the meat with a large spoon and add the water. Cover and cook on high for 2 to 3 hours or low for 4 to 6 hours. Once the beef is cooked through, carefully pour the excess grease and liquid from the slow cooker dish.

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Can you overcook ground beef in a slow cooker? ›

Can you overcook beef in a slow cooker? Absolutely, which is why you should always adjust times and amounts as needed. Smaller amounts of slow cooker hamburger only need a few hours before they are done.

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What happens if you don't brown beef before slow cooker? ›

What searing or browning your soon-to-be-slow-cooked meat will do is speed up the cooking time and can give it a nice caramelized flavor. "The caramelized surface of the meat will lend rich flavor and color to the finished dish," Southern Living test kitchen director Robby Melvin said.

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Do I add water to a slow cooker for beef? ›

Add stock, water or other liquids, making sure there is enough to come up 1-2cm from the base of the slow cooker bowl. Cover with the lid and cook on High for 4-5 hours or Low for 5-8 hours, or until the meat is tender and pulls apart easily with a fork.

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Should meat or vegetables go in the crockpot first? ›

Place firm, slow-cooking root vegetables like potatoes and carrots at the bottom of the crock and pile the meat on top. Set the heat level: A general rule of thumb is that cooking on the low setting (170 degrees F for most models) takes about twice as long as cooking on high (280 degrees F on most models).

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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".

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What is the difference between American goulash and Hungarian 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 traditional goulash made of? ›

It is made with simple ingredients like meat, peppers and root vegetables elevated to perfection by the use of Hungary's most famous spice: paprika. Goulash can be made with beef or pork but the traditional way of making it is with beef.

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Why is American goulash so different? ›

American goulash is more of a pasta and ground beef dish

A comfort classic in the U.S., American goulash bears little relation to its Hungarian predecessor. Chunks of beef or pork are replaced by ground meat, drowned in a tomato sauce over macaroni.

What goes well with goulash? ›

American Goulash: A hearty, comforting, and easy pasta and beef dish. Simmer beef, peppers, and onions in a tomato sauce, then toss with pasta and cheese for a savory meal ready in 40 minutes! Pair Goulash with some veggies! These Roasted Sweet Potatoes, Roasted Broccoli, or Italian Salad all make great side dishes.

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Do you need to pre cook beef before slow cooking? ›

While this step isn't essential, and you'll still get a perfectly good meal at the end, browning your meat and veg beforehand is a complete slow cooker game changer.

Will beef dry out in slow cooker? ›

Beef joints can especially go from tender to dried out in a short amount of time, making them a tricky cut to perfect. When you search for a slow cooked beef joint, choose one with plenty of fat. A lean joint won't provide the marbling needed to tenderize the joint during slow cooking.

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How do I slow cook beef without it drying out? ›

To keep a pot roast from drying out, your slow cooker needs liquid to create a moist environment, and that can include meat or vegetable stock, wine or water. This doesn't mean the meat should be submerged; a cup or two of liquid will be enough, since the cooker is covered and liquids stay trapped inside.

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Can beef get tough in slow cooker? ›

“Beef may be tough in the slow cooker if you haven't added enough liquid, or haven't cooked it for long enough,” Kristen Carli, M.S., R.D., owner of Camelback Nutrition & Wellness, tells SELF. “For cuts of meat, the fattier cuts are often the ones that get juicy and tender.

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