Easy Goulash Recipe (One-Pot)

Why You’ll Love This Classic Goulash Recipe

When it comes to cozy weeknight dinners, nothing beats a pot of homemade goulash. This one-pot recipe is filled with tender macaroni noodles, hearty ground beef, and a rich tomato sauce that simmers together into the ultimate comfort food. Just like classic beef stew, homemade chili, and chicken soup, this recipe is the kind of family-friendly meal you’ll find yourself making again and again. Here’s what else makes this goulash special:

• It’s easy and affordable. Simple pantry staples keep this goulash recipe approachable. It’s proof that you don’t need fancy ingredients to create a flavorful and filling meal for the whole family.
• It’s super adaptable. You can easily swap in ground turkey, sausage, or chicken, add extra vegetables, or adjust the spices to match your family’s taste.
• It’s fantastic leftover, too. Goulash tastes even better the next day as the flavors meld together. Pack it for lunch or reheat it for an easy dinner.

What You’ll Need

Before we dive into cooking, let’s talk about the ingredients that make this goulash recipe so flavorful and comforting. Below, you’ll find a breakdown of what each ingredient does in the dish, along with some easy substitutions. For the complete ingredient list and printable recipe card, scroll to the bottom of this post.

• Aromatics: Onion, green bell pepper, and garlic form the flavor foundation for goulash. The onion and bell pepper add sweetness and depth, while garlic brings a rich, savory note. Feel free to swap in red or yellow bell peppers, or add extras like celery, carrots, or zucchini for more vegetables. If you don’t have fresh garlic, 1-2 teaspoons of garlic powder work in a pinch.
• Ground Beef: Lean ground beef is the traditional protein in American goulash, providing the dish with a hearty flavor and texture. Using lean meat helps reduce excess grease, but you can also substitute ground turkey, chicken, or Italian sausage for a different twist.
• Seasonings: A blend of salt, black pepper, paprika, Italian seasoning, and Worcestershire sauce adds depth and balance. Paprika (optional) enhances color and gives a subtle smokiness, Italian seasoning provides an herby base, and Worcestershire sauce (or soy sauce) adds a savory umami kick. Don’t have Italian seasoning? Try a mix of dried oregano and basil instead.
• Tomato Base: Tomato paste, tomato sauce, and diced tomatoes create the thick, rich sauce that makes goulash so comforting. Tomato paste offers concentrated flavor, while the sauce and diced tomatoes add body and texture. You can swap in crushed tomatoes or Rotel if you want a spicier or slightly different flavor profile.
• Liquid: Beef broth keeps the dish saucy and adds extra richness. If you don’t have it on hand, chicken broth, vegetable broth, or even water will work.
• Pasta: Elbow macaroni is traditional in American goulash and the ideal shape for soaking up the sauce. Other small pasta shapes like cavatappi, ditalini, or orecchiette are also great options if that’s what you have in your pantry.
• Cheese: Shredded cheddar cheese is stirred in at the end to make the goulash extra creamy and cheesy. You can substitute mozzarella, Monterey Jack, or skip the cheese entirely to keep the recipe dairy-free.

Reader Swaps and Substitutions

One of the reasons this goulash recipe is so well-loved is its flexibility. Many readers have shared their own family twists, and here are a few favorites in their own words:

• Cheesy and baked. “Our family has cooked this for years, but we add grated parmesan cheese in addition to cheddar cheese and we add pimento-stuffed green olives (instead of the green bell pepper)…we mix it all up, pour into a baking dish, cover with more cheddar cheese and bake until the cheese is melted and just starting to brown a bit.” – Stevielynne
• Red wine and heat. “The only tweak was a pinch of red pepper flakes and a splash or two of red wine! This I would dare say is better than my Nebraskan cousin’s recipe for which she is famous!” – Judi
• Extra veggies. “My husband and I love adding veggies so I added more onion and peppers and added 2 cups fresh chopped spinach at the end.” – Lindsay
• Simple tomato swap. “Instead of tomato paste I use 28 oz. can of crushed tomatoes.” – Jennifer
• Spicy Rotel version. “I added some crushed red pepper and subbed Rotel for one of the cans of diced tomatoes.” – Stacy

These swaps and substitutions show just how customizable this goulash recipe can be, making it easy to adapt to your family’s tastes and pantry staples.

Make Ahead Tips

Goulash is a fantastic recipe to prepare ahead of time, especially if you’re planning meals for the week. To prevent the pasta from becoming too soft, I highly recommend cooking the noodles separately from the sauce. This will keep your goulash fresh, flavorful, and never mushy.

• Cook the sauce first. Follow the recipe through the simmering step, stopping before you add the macaroni and broth. Let the sauce cool, then store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• Prepare the pasta separately. Cook the macaroni until al dente, drain well, and toss with a little olive oil to prevent sticking. Then store it in a separate container in the refrigerator.
• Combine before serving. When ready to eat, reheat the sauce on the stovetop, stir in the pasta, and add the cheese just before serving for the best texture and flavor.