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One-Pot Cheesy Beef Goulash

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one pot american beef goulash
one pot american beef goulash
one pot american beef goulash

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.

Best-Ever Cheesy Goulash

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.

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.

gray bowl with beef goulash in it

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

Ingredients

Yes, this homemade goulash has macaroni and cheese. But just adding a few more simple ingredients, we have a cozy meal that’s ridiculously tasty!

Here’s what you need:

  • Dry pasta: I use elbow macaroni, but you can use your favorite regular or gluten-free pasta.
  • Olive oil: to use when sautéing
  • Aromatics: diced onion and minced garlic cloves.
  • Spices: paprika (regular or smoky), Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
  • Ground beef: you can also make this recipe using ground turkey, chicken, or pork. Even white beans are an option to make this dish a meatless meal.
  • Can crushed tomatoes: the base of the sauce.
  • Can fire roasted diced tomatoes: for a delicious smoky Southwestern flavor. You can use regular diced tomatoes if that’s what you have in your pantry.
  • Water: for the sauce.
  • Shredded Cheddar cheese: to make this goulash extra cheesy!

Get the measurements and full directions in the recipe card below.

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

How to Make Cheesy Beef Goulash

One skillet to cook and mix ingredients is everything you need to make this cheesy beef goulash happen. A hearty and nutritious dinner has never been so easy to make!

  1. Prep
    Preheat the oven to 400F.
  2. Sauté
    In a large, oven-proof skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the diced onions and sauté until soft, for about 2 to 3 minutes. Add the paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Sauté for 1 or 2 additional minutes.
  3. Brown the meat
    Add the ground beef, breaking up the meat with a wooden spoon or spatula as it cooks. Cook the beef for 7 minutes, until it is cooked through.
  4. Add tomatoes
    Stir in the garlic, crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes (including the liquid), and water. Bring to a simmer.
  5. Add the pasta
    Add the uncooked 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 the sauce has thickened. 
  6. Make it cheesy!
    Top with shredded Cheddar cheese and return to the oven, uncovered, until the cheese is melted. 

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 gluten-free Goulash?

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 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?

Print

One Pot Cheesy Beef Goulash

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★★★★★

5 from 6 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
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 35 minutes
  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Stove-top
  • Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • 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

  1. Preheat oven to 400F.
  2. 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.
  3. Add the ground beef, breaking up the meat with a wooden spoon or spatula, as it cooks. Cook for 7 minutes.
  4. Stir in the garlic, crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes (including the liquid), and water. Bring to a simmer.
  5. 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

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Meal Prep’d

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Large Skillet

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Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 bowl
  • Calories: 267
  • Sugar: 6.1g
  • Sodium: 433.4mg
  • Fat: 9g
  • Saturated Fat: 4.7g
  • Trans Fat: 0.2g
  • Carbohydrates: 22.2g
  • Fiber: 2.9g
  • Protein: 24.6g
  • Cholesterol: 63.8mg

Did you make this recipe?

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Reader Interactions

Comments

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    Recipe rating ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆

  1. Sarah

    February 18, 2022 at 1:20 pm

    So I’ve been making this recipe for many years, and I see I left a comment before, but I don’t think I left a good enough review!! Yes my family has been making this since you first posted it, like I said, but I need to explain that we make this about every other week for YEARS. I don’t need the recipe in front of me anymore, since I’ve made it so much! Lol.

    I make the sauce sometimes in a huge batch and freeze or fridge and add noodles, beef stock and water later.

    I’ve made it as a gift for new mothers, when someone is going through a hard time, when I have company over, and of course when my kids beg for it. It’s my go to for comfort food, always.

    I use smoked paprika, I don’t remember if you suggest it in this post, or if I just did it, but I think it adds so much flavor! And I use extra cheese because we Danes love our cheese

    Thank you so much Laura! It’s our favorite recipe ever

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Sarah

      February 18, 2022 at 1:23 pm

      Apologies, Laura, I really messed up my review! Did a reply by accident and tried to copy paste it but I think you get the idea

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Laura Fuentes

        February 18, 2022 at 3:27 pm

        No worries, Sarah! I definitely appreciate the review and I’m glad you’re family enjoys it.

        Reply
  2. Alison

    January 14, 2021 at 5:16 pm

    Can I omit the fire roasted tomatoes and add another can of crushed tomatoes

    Reply
    • Laura Fuentes

      January 20, 2021 at 2:45 pm

      Absolutely. Enjoy!

      Reply
      • mary

        August 04, 2021 at 12:01 pm

        Can I use Angel Hair Pasta instead of other pasta since that is why I have on hand right now ? Thank you for any response

        Reply
        • Laura Fuentes

          August 05, 2021 at 3:56 pm

          Hi Mary, I haven’t made this recipe using angel hair but going from other skillet pasta recipes, it doesn’t work as well. The pasta is super thin and falls apart more easily compared to macaroni.

          Reply
    • Sarah

      February 18, 2022 at 1:19 pm

      So I’ve been making this recipe for many years, and I see I left a comment before, but I don’t think I left a good enough review!! Yes my family has been making this since you first posted it, like I said, but I need to explain that we make this about every other week for YEARS. I don’t need the recipe in front of me anymore, since I’ve made it so much! Lol.

      I make the sauce sometimes in a huge batch and freeze or fridge and add noodles, beef stock and water later.

      I’ve made it as a gift for new mothers, when someone is going through a hard time, when I have company over, and of course when my kids beg for it. It’s my go to for comfort food, always.

      I use smoked paprika, I don’t remember if you suggest it in this post, or if I just did it, but I think it adds so much flavor! And I use extra cheese because we Danes love our cheese

      Thank you so much Laura! It’s our favorite recipe ever!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
  3. Lisa Geiger

    August 28, 2020 at 1:13 pm

    I made this in my Ninja Foodi and it worked perfectly…I shortened the bake time a little. It’s amazing! Super easy and super well received. So nice to do it all in one dish! Thank you! (My kids love it)

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  4. Sharon

    May 07, 2020 at 12:32 am

    Hi Laura,
    Will this recipe still turn out well if I just cook it over the stove top instead of baking it in the oven in the last step?

    Reply
    • Laura Fuentes

      May 11, 2020 at 5:08 pm

      Hi Sharon, absolutely. Cook it up in the stove, on low heat, simmering for about 15(ish) until the pasta absorbs the liquid and is tender. Enjoy!

      Reply
      • Sharon

        May 23, 2020 at 8:59 am

        Thank you Laura! It turned out delicious, and so simple and easy to make! I’ve always been apprehensive about adding pasta and cheese to recipes because I felt that I would gain weight easily, but I’m learning that it’s ok to eat it in moderation, and it’s important to enjoy what you are eating!

        ★★★★★

        Reply
        • Laura Fuentes

          June 01, 2020 at 3:40 pm

          Like you, I eat lower-carb but some days… there’s nothing like a bit of pasta to refuel. I am glad you enjoyed this.

          Reply
  5. Kathy

    April 29, 2020 at 8:47 am

    Great recipe, and delicious. To freeze: prepare through step four in recipe directions [can add water before freezing, or when ready to use – your choice]. Serving Day: thaw, add water if needed, and bring to a simmer; pick up recipe in step five

    Reply
    • Morgan French

      November 25, 2020 at 1:35 pm

      Do you boil the noodles first?

      Reply
      • Laura Fuentes

        November 30, 2020 at 4:21 pm

        no, they cook right in the pot.

        Reply
  6. Sarah

    January 06, 2019 at 6:11 pm

    Hi Laura! I have been finding myself searching your YouTube channel and website more and more. I love how your recipes are quick, easy and good for my family. I am making this goulash right now and I love how quick it came together.

    We just finished eating and it was delicious! The pasta came out perfect!

    Reply
    • Laura Fuentes

      January 09, 2019 at 5:31 pm

      Thank you for watching my videos Sarah! I’m thrilled this recipe was a hit with your family and I hope many more in the future.

      Reply
      • Sarah

        January 07, 2020 at 6:31 pm

        This has been a family favorite since you posted it. Thank you so much!

        ★★★★★

        Reply
        • Laura Fuentes

          January 12, 2020 at 8:55 am

          I’m so glad! I Just made it last week for my kids and it’s devoured every single time!

          Reply
          • Rebecca

            January 03, 2021 at 10:12 am

            Can you substitute for a different noodle? Spaghetti noodles?

          • Laura Fuentes

            January 04, 2021 at 11:45 am

            For sure! use your favorite pasta at 1 cup. If using spaghetti, you’ll need to measure by weight, which is 5 ounces or 150 grams.

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