The Best Homemade Goulash Recipe for Family Dinners

Steaming with rich Hungarian goulash tradition, this easy goulash recipe brings comfort right to your dinner table.

Tender beef chunks melt into a robust, paprika-infused sauce that warms every corner of your kitchen.

Hearty ingredients blend seamlessly, creating a one-pot wonder that speaks to classic comfort food.

Each spoonful carries the essence of traditional Hungarian cooking without demanding complex techniques.

The simple preparation makes this dish accessible for weeknight meals or weekend gatherings.

Generations have cherished this rustic stew, and now you can master its delicious simplicity with just a few key ingredients.

Prepare to savor a meal that connects you to a timeless culinary heritage.

What Makes This Goulash a Go-To

• Delivers a hearty, soul-warming dish that feels like a warm hug, packed with rich flavors and satisfying textures.
• Minimal cleanup required – cook everything in a single pot, saving you precious time and reducing kitchen mess.
• Kid-friendly recipe that combines familiar ingredients in a crowd-pleasing meal everyone will love, from picky eaters to hungry adults.

Ingredients for Easy Goulash

• Ground Beef: A hearty protein that forms the base of this classic comfort dish.
• Elbow Macaroni: A classic pasta shape that perfectly absorbs the rich sauce and provides a satisfying texture.
• Diced Tomatoes: Adds moisture and bright tomato flavor to the goulash.
• Tomato Sauce: Creates a smooth and rich sauce base for the dish.

• Onion, Garlic: Provide a foundational depth of flavor and aromatic base for the goulash.
• Italian Seasoning, Seasoned Salt: Enhance the overall taste profile with a blend of herbs and savory notes.
• Worcestershire Sauce: Adds a complex, tangy undertone to the sauce.

• Water: Helps create the right consistency for cooking the pasta and sauce.
• Grated Cheese, Fresh Parsley: Optional toppings that can add extra flavor and visual appeal to the finished dish.

How to Prepare Easy Goulash

Step 1: Brown Ground Beef

Heat a Dutch oven over medium heat.

Add ground beef and cook until completely brown, breaking it into small crumbles.

Drain any excess fat to keep the dish light and not greasy.

Step 2: Sauté Aromatic Vegetables

Add chopped onions and minced garlic to the beef.

• Onions become translucent
• Garlic releases its fragrant aroma
• Vegetables start to soften

Step 3: Build Flavor-Packed Sauce

• Undrained diced tomatoes
• Tomato sauce
• Water
• Worcestershire sauce
• Italian seasoning
• Seasoned salt

Stir ingredients thoroughly to create a rich, robust sauce base.

Step 4: Cook Pasta in Sauce

Add elbow macaroni directly into the sauce.

Bring mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low.

Cover and simmer for 25-30 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.

Pasta will absorb all the delicious flavors while cooking.

Step 5: Finish and Serve

Remove goulash from heat when pasta is tender.

• Grated cheese
• Chopped fresh parsley

Serve hot and enjoy this comforting one-pot meal!

Kitchen Tips for Easy Goulash

• Remove as much grease as possible to keep the goulash light and prevent a greasy texture, ensuring a cleaner, more appetizing dish.
• Stir the pasta occasionally during simmering to avoid clumping and ensure even cooking throughout the entire pot.
• If the goulash seems too dry while cooking, add a splash of water or broth to maintain a saucy consistency and prevent burning.
• Experiment with adding a splash of red wine or a teaspoon of paprika to boost the traditional goulash taste and complexity.
• This dish tastes even better the next day, so consider preparing it in advance and reheating for more developed flavors.

How to Keep Goulash Fresh and Warm

• Transfer leftover goulash to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Cool the dish completely before sealing to prevent moisture buildup.
• Pack cooled goulash in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Remove excess air, seal tightly, and freeze for up to 3 months. Label with the date to track freshness.
• Place a single serving in a microwave-safe dish, add a splash of water to prevent drying, and cover with a microwave-safe lid or damp paper towel. Heat on medium power in 1-minute intervals, stirring between each to ensure even warming.
• Reheat goulash in a saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring frequently. Add a little water or broth to restore moisture and prevent scorching. Stir gently until heated through, which typically takes 5-7 minutes.

Top Pairings for Goulash

• Taste Enhancing Wine Pairing: Select a robust red wine like Zinfandel or Cabernet Sauvignon that complements the hearty beef and tomato flavors, cutting through the richness with its bold tannins.
• Cheese Topping Strategy: Sprinkle sharp cheddar or tangy parmesan to add depth and create a creamy texture that melts beautifully into the warm goulash, intensifying the overall savory profile.
• Freshness Boosting Garnish: Scatter chopped fresh parsley or chives on top to introduce a bright, herbal note that balances the heavy meat and provides a clean, crisp contrast to the rich sauce.
• Sidekick Bread Recommendation: Serve with crusty garlic bread or warm sourdough to soak up the delicious sauce, offering a crunchy texture that complements the soft pasta and tender beef.

Goulash Styles & Swaps You’ll Enjoy

• Gluten-Free Goulash: Swap regular elbow macaroni with gluten-free pasta or cauliflower rice for a celiac-friendly version that maintains the hearty texture and flavor.
• Vegetarian Power Bowl: Replace ground beef with plant-based crumbles, lentils, or black beans to create a protein-packed alternative that keeps the classic goulash spirit.
• Low-Carb Hungarian Style: Use zucchini noodles or spaghetti squash instead of pasta, reducing carbohydrates while preserving the rich, robust sauce and traditional seasonings.
• Spicy Southwest Remix: Introduce diced green chilies, swap Italian seasoning for taco seasoning, and top with fresh cilantro to give the goulash a zesty southwestern profile.

FAQs

• What is the origin of goulash?

Goulash originated in Hungary as a hearty beef stew traditionally made by cattle herders. It became a popular comfort food that spread across Eastern Europe, adapting to local tastes and ingredients.

• Is this recipe authentic Hungarian goulash?

This is an Americanized version known as American goulash, which differs from the traditional Hungarian dish. The American style uses ground beef and pasta, while authentic Hungarian goulash is a beef stew with chunks of meat and no pasta.

• Can I use a different type of pasta?

Elbow macaroni works best for this recipe because it’s small and absorbs sauce well. However, you can substitute with similar short pasta like shell pasta or small penne if needed.

• How can I make this recipe gluten-free?

To make this goulash gluten-free, use gluten-free elbow macaroni and ensure your Worcestershire sauce and seasoning are certified gluten-free. Always check ingredient labels carefully.

Easy Goulash Recipe

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4.8 from 30 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Hearty Hungarian Goulash brings rustic comfort straight from Central European kitchens, blending tender beef, paprika-rich sauce, and robust vegetables. Simmered slowly with traditional spices, this classic dish promises a satisfying meal that connects you with generations of home cooking.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Protein:

• 2 pounds (0.9 kilograms) ground beef

Vegetables and Aromatics:

• 1 yellow onion (chopped)
• 3 cloves garlic (minced)

Liquid and Sauce Ingredients:

• 30 ounces (850 grams) diced tomatoes (undrained)
• 30 ounces (850 grams) tomato sauce
• 3 cups (710 milliliters) water
• 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
• 2 teaspoons seasoned salt
• 16 ounces (454 grams) elbow macaroni

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Instructions

1. In a heavy-bottomed pot, brown the ground beef over medium heat until completely crumbled and no pink remains. Carefully drain any accumulated fat to ensure a lighter dish.
2. Introduce finely chopped onions and minced garlic to the meat, sautéing for approximately 3 minutes until vegetables become translucent and aromatic. Ensure garlic does not darken or burn.
3. Create the flavor foundation by incorporating diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, water, Worcestershire sauce, Italian seasoning, and seasoned salt. Thoroughly mix ingredients to develop a complex, robust sauce.
4. Integrate elbow macaroni evenly throughout the liquid mixture. Elevate temperature to trigger boiling, then immediately reduce heat to low. Cover the pot and allow contents to simmer for 25-30 minutes, stirring periodically to prevent pasta from sticking or burning.
5. After pasta reaches desired tenderness, remove from heat. The goulash should appear thick and cohesive. Optional: Garnish with freshly grated cheese or chopped parsley for enhanced presentation and flavor complexity before serving immediately.

Notes

• Drain beef thoroughly to prevent excess grease, which can make the dish heavy and unappetizing.
• Consider using lean ground beef or turkey for a healthier protein option that reduces overall fat content.
• Season carefully during cooking to balance flavors, tasting and adjusting salt and seasonings gradually.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: Hungarian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 486
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 1040 mg
• Fat: 21 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 47 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 28 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg