Easy Ground Beef Goulash (Old Fashioned One-Pot Recipe)
This easy ground beef goulash is a hearty, old fashioned one-pot comfort meal loaded with tender pasta, savory beef, and rich tomato sauce. Ready in under 45 minutes and perfect for busy weeknights!
The Old Fashioned Comfort Dinner That Never Gets Old
There is something deeply satisfying about a bowl of old fashioned goulash. It is the kind of dinner that has been feeding families for generations, and once you understand why, you will want it on your weekly rotation forever. This easy ground beef goulash is everything a weeknight meal should be: hearty, budget-friendly, made in one pot, and ready in under 45 minutes.
Whether you grew up calling it American goulash, hamburger goulash, or simply "that pasta and beef thing Mom made," this recipe is the real deal. It is simple goulash at its finest, no fuss, no fancy techniques, just bold tomato flavor, perfectly seasoned beef, and tender elbow macaroni all cooked together in a single pot.
Using a good quality deep skillet or Dutch oven makes a real difference in this recipe. It gives you enough room to simmer everything together without any overflow, and the heavier base distributes heat evenly so the pasta cooks through without scorching the bottom.
Why This Goulash Recipe Easy Enough to Memorize
This is the kind of recipe you make once and never need to look up again. Here is what makes it so approachable:
- One pot. Everything goes into a single Dutch oven or deep skillet, which means minimal cleanup.
- Pantry staples only. Canned tomatoes, dried spices, ground beef, and pasta. Nothing obscure.
- Flexible. It works with ground turkey, gluten-free pasta, or whatever cheese you have on hand.
- Feeds a crowd. Six generous servings from one batch, and it reheats like a dream.
This is the recipe people are searching for when they look up old fashioned goulash recipes easy or hamburger goulash recipe Allrecipes style. Classic, filling, and made with love.
The Secret to Deep Flavor in Simple Goulash Recipes
The trick to making this taste like it simmered all afternoon is toasting your spices directly in the beef fat right after draining. Once the meat is browned and the fat is drained off, stir in the paprika, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and Worcestershire sauce and let them cook for just one minute before adding any liquid. That one minute transforms everything.
Chef's Tip: Use smoked paprika instead of sweet paprika if you want a slightly deeper, more complex flavor without adding any heat. It gives the dish a subtle richness that makes people ask what your secret ingredient is.
Another key move is letting the uncooked pasta cook directly in the sauce. The starches from the pasta thicken the sauce naturally, and every piece of macaroni absorbs all that savory tomato and beef flavor as it cooks. It is the reason old fashioned goulash tastes so much more cohesive than pasta served with sauce on top.
Topping and Serving Ideas
This dish is completely satisfying on its own, but a few simple toppings can take it over the top:
- Shredded cheddar cheese melted right on top is the classic move
- A dollop of sour cream adds a cool, creamy contrast
- Fresh parsley or green onions brighten the whole bowl
- A side of crusty bread for soaking up the sauce
For an oven-baked layered goulash variation, transfer the finished goulash to a baking dish, top generously with shredded cheese, and bake at 375 degrees F for 10 to 15 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
Ready to make the most comforting bowl of the week? Here is the full recipe:
Easy Ground Beef Goulash (Old Fashioned One-Pot Recipe)
This easy ground beef goulash is a hearty, old fashioned one-pot comfort meal loaded with tender pasta, savory beef, and rich tomato sauce. Ready in under 45 minutes and perfect for busy weeknights!
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 lb ground beef, 80/20 blend recommended
- 1 yellow onion, medium, diced
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 cans diced tomatoes, 14.5 oz each, undrained
- 1 can tomato sauce, 15 oz can
- 2 cups beef broth, low sodium preferred
- 2 cups elbow macaroni, uncooked
- 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tsp paprika, sweet or smoked
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp salt, or to taste
- 1/2 tsp black pepper, freshly ground
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, optional, for topping
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Instruction
Heat the olive oil in a large, deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the diced onion and green bell pepper and cook for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened.
Add the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
Add the ground beef to the pot and break it apart with a wooden spoon. Cook for 6 to 8 minutes until fully browned. Carefully drain any excess fat.
Stir in the Worcestershire sauce, paprika, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Cook for 1 minute to toast the spices.
Pour in the diced tomatoes (with their juices), tomato sauce, and beef broth. Stir everything together and bring to a boil.
Stir in the uncooked elbow macaroni. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover the pot, and simmer for 18 to 20 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes, until the pasta is tender and has absorbed most of the liquid.
Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.
Serve hot, topped with shredded cheddar cheese if desired.
Equipment
- Large deep skillet or Dutch oven (at least 5-quart)
- Wooden spoon or silicone spatula
- Chef's knife and cutting board
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Colander or paper towels for draining fat
Notes
Storing and Reheating Leftovers
One of the best things about this easy goulash recipe is that it is arguably even better the next day. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The pasta continues to soak up liquid overnight, so always add a splash of beef broth or water before reheating to bring it back to the right consistency.
For longer storage, portion it into freezer-safe containers and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating on the stovetop over medium heat.
This is the kind of meal that makes your future self very happy.
