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This ground beef goulash will become your new weeknight dinner hero: it’s a family favorite and comes together fast.
American Goulash with Ground Beef
Growing up in Europe, goulash meant something totally different (a stew) so the first time I had American goulash at my friend’s house as a teen, I was hooked. It was cheesy, comforting, and felt like the ultimate homemade meal.
My kids feel the same way I do about this simple one-pot meal. There are never any complaints, just second helpings. This is their favorite nostalgic meal, second to my homemade spaghettios.
Ingredients
This recipe is made with staple ingredients like minced onion and garlic for flavor, seasonings (paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper), ground beef, crushed and diced tomatoes as the saucy base (fire roasted if you have them), elbow macaroni or any pasta shape, and shredded cheddar cheese for that cheesy goodness.
How to Make Cheesy Goulash with Ground Beef
This American goulash comes together in a large skillet or a pot, where you’ll sauté your onion, garlic, and seasonings. Then, you’ll add the ground beef and cook it. Then, add the tomatoes and water and bring them to a boil. The pasta will cook directly in this liquid in the oven. The final step is to top it with cheese and melt it for a minute or two in the oven.
More Kid-Favorite Easy Recipes
Other weeknight hero recipes that families love include copycat Cane’s chicken tenders, these oven beef kabobs, and this mac and cheese alfredo.
One Pot Cheesy Beef Goulash
Watch how it’s made:
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
Prep:
- Preheat oven to 400F.
Saute:
- In a large, oven-proof skillet or Dutch oven pot, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add the onions and sauté until soft, about 2 to 3 minutes. Add the seasonings and sauté for an additional minute.
- Add the ground beef, breaking up the meat with a wooden spatula, and cook it for about 7 mintues until it's no longer pink.
- Add the garlic, crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes (including the liquid), and water. Stir and bring it to a simmering boil. Then, add the pasta and stir. Turn off the heat.
Cook in the oven:
- Cover and transfer the skillet to the preheated oven. Bake for 22 to 25 minutes until the pasta is tender, and the sauce has thickened and mostly been absorbed by the pasta.
- Remove it from the oven, top it with cheese, and cover it with a lid to melt the cheese. You can also return it to the oven, uncovered, for 3 to 5 minutes to melt the cheese.
Alison says
Can I omit the fire roasted tomatoes and add another can of crushed tomatoes
Laura Fuentes says
Absolutely. Enjoy!
mary says
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
Laura Fuentes says
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.
Sarah says
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!
Lisa Geiger says
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)
Sharon says
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?
Laura Fuentes says
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!
Sharon says
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!
Laura Fuentes says
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.
Kathy says
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
Morgan French says
Do you boil the noodles first?
Laura Fuentes says
no, they cook right in the pot.
Sarah says
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!
Laura Fuentes says
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.
Sarah says
This has been a family favorite since you posted it. Thank you so much!
Laura Fuentes says
I’m so glad! I Just made it last week for my kids and it’s devoured every single time!
Rebecca says
Can you substitute for a different noodle? Spaghetti noodles?
Laura Fuentes says
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.
Susan says
Could you cook this in a slow cooker instead of the oven?
Laura Fuentes says
For the slow cooker version, brown the beef and transfer to the slow cooker. Add all the ingredients, except the pasta and cheese, to the slow cooker, and cook on high for 2h or 4 on low. 30 minutes before, add the pasta, and continue to cook until tender. Add in the cheese, stir, and serve.