This American beef Goulash is made with melted cheese and it’s a simple one-pot meal that the whole family is going to love!

This simple weeknight meal is one you, or your teens, can pull off in a flash on your busiest night.

small gray bowl of cheesy beef goulash, with small scoop on a fork.

In colder weather months, when all you want to do is curl up on the couch with a hot bowl of cheesy goodness for dinner but don’t want to eat macaroni and cheese this recipe is it. Plus, it’s made with ingredients we all have in our pantry, fridge, and freezer and it’s not coming out of a box.

It’s one of those meals that tastes fully homemade. One that no one complains about either; as a matter of fact, they often grab seconds.

https://youtu.be/n2p1evjXvYg

Cheesy Goulash | Easy Beef Goulash Recipe (https://youtu.be/n2p1evjXvYg)

Although, with three kids and a 78-lb dog that always seems to need something; curling up with a hot bowl of food on the couch never happens, but a hot bowl of cheesy goodness? That’s an easy fix.

While the traditional goulash originated in Hungary and is a slow-cooked stew made with cuts of beef and paprika this American version cuts down the cooking time with ground beef, pasta, and canned tomatoes. I also like to add a little somethin’ cheesy with shredded Cheddar cheese.

I mean, just look at that layer of melted cheese….. YUM. #cheesegoals

Annnnd, it’s a crowd pleaser. Despite feeding picky eaters, the first time I made this dish everyone LOVED IT. I’m talking about total silence at the dinner table because everyone was scarfing down their bowl.

The next time, I added chopped spinach right before serving. Another time, I added finely chopped broccoli. Another likes peas… do you get where I’m going with this? Yes, I have picky eaters, but this is one of those meals that became a vessel for a lot of nutritious things.

beef goulash in a skillet with a wooden spoon

One thing I should mention is that I often swap out the regular paprika for smoked paprika. It adds a smoky flavor to this dish that’s ridiculously delicious.

Can you substitute ground beef in this recipe?

While this goulash recipe uses ground beef, you could opt for ground turkey, chicken, or pork. The recipe has enough flavors to swap the protein for another and still be ultimately delicious.

Can you make this recipe vegetarian?

While I nearly always have frozen ground beef in the freezer, I often make this meal with one can of beans, rinsed, and it’s just as delicious. My favorite meat substitute for this recipe are white beans because they are very mild in flavor and pick up all the seasoning. It’s a terrific meatless meal too.

looking down on a skillet full of beef goulash with melted cheese on top

Can you make this recipe dairy-free?

Of course! While the cheesy goodness is something my kids absolutely go nuts over, you can use half of the amount called for in the recipe with dairy-free soy cheese or omit it all together.

Can you make this recipe gluten-free?

Oh yeah. Easy peasy. This goulash can be gluten-free by using your favorite gluten-free pasta. My favorite, without naming any brands, is corn pasta because it holds its texture best. Of course, you use your favorite brand.

Can you use other types of pasta?

Absolutely! Feel free to use your favorite pasta shape for this recipe. The measurement is 1 cup of dry pasta, which is 150 grams or 5 ounces.

Can you freeze this goulash recipe?

I don’t recommend freezing. Shocker, right? I would if I could, but cooked pasta doesn’t hold up well in the freezer and results in a mushy consistency when reheated.

You’re better off making a fresh batch. Besides it tastes so good, you probably won’t have leftovers to freeze, and you can keep them in the fridge for up to 4 days.

What are some of your favorite comfort meals?

One Pot Cheesy Beef Goulash

Print Recipe

★★★★★

5 from 3 reviews

Smoky, hearty, cheesy goulash made with ground beef, paprika, tomatoes, and cheese, this one-pot meal is crazy simple and one dish everyone will love.

Author: Laura Fuentes
Yield: 4 servings 1x

Ingredients

Units Scale

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 medium onion, diced
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
1 lb ground beef
2 cloves garlic, minced
15 ounce can crushed tomatoes
15 ounce can fire roasted diced tomatoes
1 cup water
1 cup dry elbow macaroni
1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese

Instructions

Preheat oven to 400F.
In a large, oven proof skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add the onions, sauté until soft, about 2 to 3 minutes. Add the paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper, sauté for an additional minute.
Add the ground beef, breaking up the meat with a wooden spoon or spatula, as it cooks. Cook for 7 minutes.
Stir in the garlic, crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes (including the liquid), and water. Bring to a simmer.
Add the pasta to the goulash. Cover and transfer the skillet to the preheated oven. Bake for 22 to 25 minutes or until the pasta is tender and sauce thickened. Top with cheese and return to the oven, uncovered, until the cheese is melted.

Equipment

Meal Prep’d

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Large Skillet