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Recipe Index » Recipes » Grandma’s American Goulash

Grandma’s American Goulash

Published by Meaghan on October 17, 2022 | last updated on October 16, 2022.

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Grandma’s American goulash is a classic comforting meal you can make with a little time on any budget. Featuring cheese, tomato broth, noodles, and beef, this hearty dinner will feed even the biggest appetites anytime.

Grandma's american goulash on a white plate with a black fork on the side

There are few meals that just instantly take me back to childhood.

This is one of them.

My Grandma would put together American goulash regularly.

It was the go to meal after softball games and busy days spent playing outside.

And now I make a version of it for my sons regularly.

Fortunately they love it just as much as I did growing up and still do now.

a white plate filled with cheesy american goulash

What is American Goulash?

American goulash is a staple in midwestern and southern cooking.

Sometimes you’ll hear it called slumgullion or American chop suey.

It’s a comforting combination of pasta, beef, cheese, and soupy sauce.

a white plate filled with cheesy american goulash

What’s the difference between American goulash and Hungarian goulash?

Hungarian Goulash is thick stew made with meat and veggies in a sauce seasoned with paprika.

It’s often served over or along side pasta.

American Goulash is a quicker dish.

It features ground beef, tomato sauce, and noodles.

Everything cooked together in a single pot.

Ingredients

To make this you’ll need:

overhead image showing the measured ingredients needed to make a batch of american goulash

  • Beef– Ground beef, lean being recommended but not absolutely necessary
  • Aromatics– Minced garlic and diced onion
  • Water
  • Beef broth– For extra richness
  • Olive oil– Don’t substitute this for a different kind of oil
  • Tomato products– Both canned tomato sauce and canned diced tomatoes
  • Seasoning– Italian seasoning, bay leaves, and salt and pepper
  • Pasta– Cavatelli or another smaller pasta like elbows
  • Cheese– Both shredded mozzarella and shredded cheddar

How to Make

Making this is very easy and a one pot meal!

browned ground beef and onions in a gray dutch oven

To do it, heat a dutch oven over medium high heat.

Once the dutch oven is hot, add the ground beef, olive oil, garlic, and onions.

goulash sauce ingredients in a gray dutch oven

Stir everything together, breaking the meat up as you go.

Cook the mixture until the meat is browned and cooked through.

Drain the excess fat off and return the mixture to the pot.

dry pasta noodles in a pot of goulash

Then, stir in the water, broth, tomato sauce and chopped tomatoes, Italian seasoning, and bay leaves.

Turn down the heat, allowing the mixture to just simmer.

Cover, and let cook for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.

American goulash in a gray dutch oven

After 20 minutes, stir in the pasta, cover, and continue simmering an additional 30 minutes or until the pasta is cooked through.

Remove the bay leaves, and sprinkle on salt and pepper, to taste.

Stir in the mozzarella cheese until evenly combined.

shredded cheese sitting on top of a pot of goulash

Serve immediately, scooping into bowls, and topping with the shredded cheddar.

Enjoy!

a wooden spoon in a pot of cheesy american goulash

Storing Leftovers

Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days in the fridge.

Reheat in the microwave until warmed through.

a wooden spoon lifting a serving of american goulash out of a dutch oven

Tips and Tricks

  • Use leaner ground beef so there is less fat to drain.
  • Don’t sub the beef broth for water. The beef broth adds extra richness and makes it feel slow cooked.
  • Stir occasionally throughout the cooking process to make sure everything cooks evenly and doesn’t stick together.

a black fork holding a cheesy bite of american goulash above a white plate

Other Easy Pasta Dishes

American Goulash is a delicious, comforting pasta dish we love. Make it and enjoy!

Looking for other easy pasta dishes? Try these:

  • One Pot Pizza Pasta
  • Cheeseburger Pasta Casserole
  • Creamy Chicken & Vegetable Pasta
  • Baked Buffalo Chicken Mac & Cheese
  • One Pot Spaghetti

If you’ve tried AMERICAN GOULASH, or any other recipe on my site, let me know in the comment section how it turned out, we love hearing from our readers! You can also follow along with me on PINTEREST, FACEBOOK, and INSTAGRAM to see more amazing recipes and whatever else we’ve got going on!

Grandma's american goulash on a white plate with a black fork on the side

Grandma's American Goulash

Grandma's American goulash is a classic comforting meal you can make with a little time on any budget. Featuring cheese, tomato broth, noodles, and beef, this hearty dinner will feed even the biggest appetites anytime.
3.93 from 173 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Dinner, Entree, Main Course, Pasta
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour
Servings: 8
Calories: 603kcal
Author: Meaghan @ 4 Sons R Us
Prevent your screen from going dark

Ingredients

  • 2 lbs ground beef
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 large white onion, diced
  • 2 1/2 cups water
  • 1/2 cup beef broth
  • 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 15 oz cans tomato sauce
  • 2 15 oz cans diced tomatoes
  • 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
  • 3 bay leaves
  • 2 1/2 cups cavatelli pasta
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • salt & pepper, to taste
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • Heat a dutch oven over medium high heat, add the ground beef, olive oil, garlic, & onions and stir everything together, breaking the meat up as you go- cooking until the meat is browned and cooked through. Drain, and return the mixture to the pot.
  • Stir in the water, broth, both tomatoes, Italian seasoning, and bay leaves. Lower the heat, bringing the mixture to a simmer. Cover, and let cook for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. 
  • Stir in the pasta, cover, and continue simmering an additional 30 minutes- stirring occasionally, until the pasta's cooked through.
  • Remove the bay leaves, and salt & pepper, to taste. Stir in the mozzarella cheese until evenly combined.
  • Serve immediately, scooping into bowls, and topping with the shredded cheddar.

Notes

  • Use leaner ground beef so there is less fat to drain.
  • Don't sub the beef broth for water. The beef broth adds extra richness and makes it feel slow cooked.
  • Stir occasionally throughout the cooking process to make sure everything cooks evenly and doesn't stick together.

Nutrition

Calories: 603kcal | Carbohydrates: 34g | Protein: 30g | Fat: 38g | Saturated Fat: 13g | Cholesterol: 99mg | Sodium: 272mg | Potassium: 460mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 175IU | Vitamin C: 1.4mg | Calcium: 167mg | Iron: 3.2mg
Did you make this recipe?Share it on Instagram @4sonsrus or tag #4sonsrus!

recipe adapted from My Incredible Recipes

recipe originally published September 10, 2018

 

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Hi! I’m Meaghan

Welcome to my kitchen. Pull up a chair and get ready to dig into family friendly, easy recipes and meal ideas. I’m a self proclaimed, proud pickle snob and cheese lover. Aside from that, I’m also the mom to 4 busy boys, elementary school through college aged. My boys keep my husband and I busy, and boy, do they like to eat. A lot. Read more...

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Comments

  1. Wolley Segap says

    October 29, 2018 at 6:26 pm

    5 stars
    The ONLY thing missing (IMHO) is diced celery (cooked mushy before stirring in). It just adds that extra bit of taste ☺

    Reply
    • 4sonsrus says

      October 30, 2018 at 10:59 pm

      I can’t picture it with the celery, but now that you’ve mentioned it- I’m going to have to try it the next time we make it. I think with it being sautéed until mushy, it might be really good!

      Reply
      • Catherine says

        August 13, 2019 at 4:01 pm

        Sounds great gonna make it ! But how much is a serving watching calorie intake

        Reply
        • 4sonsrus says

          August 13, 2019 at 7:22 pm

          The recipe as written is for 8 total servings with each serving being roughly 600 calories (info in the recipe card). You can adjust the number of servings in the recipe card and it will update the amount of calories per for you 🙂

          Reply
  2. Sharon Danielson says

    November 24, 2018 at 4:47 pm

    5 stars
    I make mine,with 1#gr.beef ,diced onion ,cooked pasta and a .can of tomato soup. Mixed together in the fry pan heat thru a Nd serve . Everyone loves it!!!

    Reply
    • Mel says

      January 2, 2023 at 6:36 pm

      5 stars
      thank you. I was looking for something to do with the 1lb of beef I had down and this popped up in my search. Tried as is except everything in half and it’s perfect. Definitely a keeper.

      Reply
  3. Debbie brander says

    February 26, 2019 at 10:10 am

    5 stars
    I love this recipe!! The leftovers are even better! I use Italian turkey sausage for a healthier version!

    Reply
  4. Joan Kaye says

    March 10, 2019 at 10:52 pm

    It was good. I think it needs a little more spice. It was too soupy for us so I cooked it another 1/2 hr.

    Reply
  5. Karen B says

    April 8, 2019 at 7:28 pm

    5 stars
    Fabulous recipe!!, I especially liked that it was all in one pot, followed the recipe exact, but will probably add a bit of Italian sausage next time…this one is a keeper😋

    Reply
  6. Melissa says

    April 16, 2019 at 12:40 pm

    Could this be done in a crock pot instead of stove top? Besides adding pasta at the end, are there any other adaptations it might need?

    Reply
  7. Donna perryman says

    July 10, 2019 at 3:51 pm

    5 stars
    Delicious, I made it like the recipe! This was comfort food to me! Thanks Grandma

    Reply
    • 4sonsrus says

      July 10, 2019 at 7:09 pm

      So glad you enjoyed it, Donna. Yes, this is pure comfort food- takes me back to my younger years seated at Grandma’s table 🙂

      Reply
  8. Diane N says

    August 19, 2019 at 3:42 pm

    4 stars
    I am a grandma….and I have been making a version of this beef n Mac since the 60’s. For 1 1/2lbs ground chuck or bulk Italian sausage or combo of each, browned and drained,saute chopped onion, garlic and green pepper until soft. Add 2 cans
    condensed tomato soup, undiluted, 1 can 15oz tomato sauce and 1 15oz diced or stewed. You can go either Italian or TexMex by using either Italian or Chili seasonings. 1 pound of elbows or pasta shape of choice cooked (2 minutes under)very al dente.
    Simmer the meat sauce for about 30 minutes add cooked pasta 20-30 minutes before serving taste for seasoning and keep warm 200 degree oven.

    Reply
    • Tammy says

      September 16, 2019 at 1:24 pm

      5 stars
      This is sooo yummy the whole family loved it. Thank you

      Reply
  9. Brandie says

    January 11, 2020 at 9:42 pm

    5 stars
    Easy to make and delicious

    Reply
  10. Ramona says

    February 23, 2020 at 7:57 am

    5 stars
    As delicious as I remember it. My family loved it and I will definitely make it again (and again and again).

    Reply
  11. Theresa Luera says

    March 30, 2020 at 8:03 pm

    5 stars
    I love it. My mom used to make it all the time. Of course moms cooking always taste better but think I did a good job if I should say so myself. Lol. Thank you for recipe

    Reply
  12. Amy says

    April 9, 2020 at 10:34 am

    When I was a nanny Marcy Marquart made goulash all the time .😊

    Reply
  13. John Whitehurst says

    April 17, 2020 at 6:13 pm

    4 stars
    Excellent work week meal. Very easy and delicious. I bet it’s even better the next day leftover. Thank you.

    Reply
    • 4sonsrus says

      April 17, 2020 at 8:16 pm

      Makes the best leftovers that nobody ever complains about having to eat! So happy you enjoyed it, John- thanks for taking time to come back and leave your feed back.

      Reply
  14. kelly says

    November 15, 2020 at 5:06 pm

    5 stars
    Ive made this a couple of times now when my husband asks for it . We love it ! Thanks

    Reply
  15. Candy says

    December 4, 2020 at 8:36 am

    Can this be put in casserole dish and frozen

    Reply
    • 4sonsrus says

      December 4, 2020 at 10:02 pm

      You should be able to, but you may have to play around with the baking time and temperature since I haven’t done it that way myself.

      Reply
  16. John Whitehurst says

    February 21, 2021 at 7:31 am

    5 stars
    This meal has become a regular in our rotation but we call it Grandpa’s goulash. My 2 year old grandson is picky about what he likes but will eat his goulash and secounds. Tasty meal and great as a leftover. Thank you.

    Reply
  17. Melissa says

    July 17, 2022 at 10:15 am

    5 stars
    Yummy, budget friendly meal! We are able to make this stretch into two meals and take some for lunch!

    Reply
  18. Carla says

    August 3, 2022 at 4:22 pm

    5 stars
    Love this recipe!

    Reply
  19. Natalie says

    November 13, 2022 at 9:49 pm

    5 stars
    This is interesting, where I live they call that pasta cavatappi. Cavatelli is a totally different, straight pasta.

    Delicious though!

    Reply

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Welcome to 4 Sons ‘R’ Us

Hi! I’m Meaghan. Welcome to my kitchen. Pull up a chair and get ready to dig into family friendly, easy recipes and meal ideas.

I’m a self proclaimed, proud pickle snob and cheese lover. Aside from that, I’m also the mom to 4 busy boys, elementary school through college aged. My boys keep my husband and I busy, and boy, do they like to eat. A lot.

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