American Goulash

Name: American Goulash with Ground Beef and Elbow Macaroni
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 8 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2.25 lbs ground beef; 1 medium green bell pepper, diced; 1 medium onion, diced; 2 tbsp olive oil; 1 tbsp minced garlic; 1 (28 oz) can diced tomatoes; 1 (29 oz) can tomato sauce; 3 cups beef broth; 3 tbsp Worcestershire sauce; 3 bay leaves; 2 tbsp Italian seasoning; 1.5 tbsp seasoned salt; 2 cups elbow pasta; 1.5 cups shredded cheddar cheese

American goulash is a one-pot comfort dish that combines browned ground beef, elbow macaroni, and a rich tomato sauce finished with melted cheddar cheese. This nostalgic meal comes together quickly and requires minimal cleanup, making it a reliable weeknight favorite.

🌍American 🏷️Goulash 🏷️American goulash 🏷️Ground beef 🏷️Pasta Elbow macaroni

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🏷️One-pot meal

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TikTok

Total

45 min

Servings

8

Difficulty

Easy

Est. Cost

$26–$43

Recipe Source

View original recipe

From TikTok

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TikTok

Ingredients

2.25 lbs ground beef
1 medium green bell pepper, diced
1 medium onion, diced
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp minced garlic
1 (28 oz) can diced tomatoes
1 (29 oz) can tomato sauce
3 cups beef broth
3 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
3 bay leaves
2 tbsp Italian seasoning
1.5 tbsp seasoned salt
2 cups elbow pasta
1.5 cups shredded cheddar cheese

14 Ingredients

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Instructions

1
In a large pot or Dutch oven, brown the ground beef over medium-high heat. Once cooked, drain off the fat.
2
While the beef is browning, dice the green bell pepper and onion.
3
In the same pot (you can set the beef aside or cook the veggies in a separate pan), heat the olive oil. Add the diced peppers and onions and sauté for about a minute until slightly softened.
4
Return the ground beef to the pot with the vegetables. Add the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
5
Stir in the diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, bay leaves, Italian seasoning, and seasoned salt.
6
Add the uncooked elbow pasta to the pot and stir everything to combine.
7
Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Cover and cook for 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is tender.
8
Once the pasta is cooked, remove and discard the bay leaves.
9
Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese until it's completely melted and incorporated.
10
Serve hot, optionally with a side of toasted bread.

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Tips & Notes

Pro tips

Brown the ground beef thoroughly until no pink remains, then drain excess fat before adding vegetables—this prevents a greasy final dish.
Add the elbow macaroni at al dente stage (slightly undercooked) to prevent mushiness during the final simmer.
Stir the cheese in off-heat after removing from the stove to ensure a smooth, creamy sauce without clumping.
Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper at the end; the Worcestershire sauce and bay leaves provide depth, so season conservatively at first.

Substitutions

Ground beef → ground turkey or ground lamb (cooking time unchanged)
Beef broth → vegetable broth (mild flavor change, still delicious)
Diced tomatoes + tomato sauce → 2 (15 oz) cans tomato sauce plus 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes (maintain acidity balance)
Sharp cheddar → mild cheddar, American cheese, or Colby Jack (adjusts final flavor intensity)

Storage & make-ahead

Store cooled goulash in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days; reheat on the stovetop over medium heat with a splash of beef broth to restore creaminess.

Common Questions

Can I make American goulash ahead of time?

Yes. Prepare through step 6, cool completely, refrigerate up to 3 days, then reheat gently on the stovetop with a splash of beef broth to restore consistency.

What cheese works best for American goulash?

Sharp cheddar melts smoothly and adds rich flavor. Mild cheddar, American cheese, or a blend of cheddar and Monterey Jack also work well.

How do I prevent the pasta from getting mushy?

Cook the elbow macaroni to al dente before adding to the pot, or add uncooked pasta directly and monitor closely—simmer only until pasta is tender but still has slight bite.

Can I use ground turkey or plant-based meat instead?

Ground turkey works as a leaner substitute with similar cooking time. Plant-based meat crumbles work too but may require less browning time and produce less fat.