American Goulash

Name: American Goulash (One-Pan Ground Beef & Pasta)
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 lb ground beef; 1 medium onion, diced; 1 tbsp minced garlic; 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce; 2 cups elbow macaroni, uncooked; 2 (8 oz) cans tomato sauce; 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes; 1.5 cups beef broth; 2 bay leaves; shredded cheddar cheese, for topping; bread, for serving

American Goulash is a one-pan ground beef and macaroni pasta baked in a savory tomato sauce—a budget-friendly comfort food that cooks entirely on the stovetop in under 30 minutes.

🌍American 🏷️Goulash 🏷️American goulash 🏷️One-pan meal 🏷️Ground beef Macaroni

🏷️

🏷️Comfort food

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TikTok

Total

35 min

Servings

4

Difficulty

Easy

Est. Cost

$22–$36

Recipe Source

View original recipe

From TikTok

-0:00

TikTok

Ingredients

1 lb ground beef
1 medium onion, diced
1 tbsp minced garlic
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
2 cups elbow macaroni, uncooked
2 (8 oz) cans tomato sauce
1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes
1.5 cups beef broth
2 bay leaves
shredded cheddar cheese, for toppingoptional
bread, for servingoptional

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Instructions

1
Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and diced onion.
2
Cook, breaking up the meat, until the beef is browned and the onion is softened.
3
Stir in the minced garlic and Worcestershire sauce and cook for another minute until fragrant.
4
Add the uncooked elbow macaroni, tomato sauce, and diced tomatoes to the skillet.
5
Pour in the beef broth and stir everything together to combine.
6
Place the bay leaves on top of the mixture.
7
Bring the mixture to a simmer. Once it begins to bubble, cover the skillet with a lid.
8
Cook for 15 minutes, or until the pasta is tender.
9
Remove the lid, discard the bay leaves, and give the goulash a final stir.
10
Serve hot, topped with freshly shredded cheddar cheese if desired.

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Tips & Notes

Pro tips

Brown the ground beef thoroughly and drain excess fat before adding other ingredients to prevent a greasy final dish.
Stir occasionally during simmering to prevent pasta from sticking to the bottom and ensure even cooking.
Add bay leaves early but remove them before serving—they flavor the sauce without being eaten.
Top with shredded cheddar cheese just before serving for creaminess; don't stir it in immediately so it stays slightly melted on top.

Substitutions

Ground beef → ground turkey or lean ground pork (flavor will be slightly milder)
Beef broth → chicken broth or vegetable broth (works fine; omit Worcestershire if using vegetable broth)
Cheddar cheese → Monterey Jack or mozzarella (cheddar is traditional but alternatives melt well)

Storage & make-ahead

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat on the stovetop over medium heat, adding a splash of broth or water to restore consistency.

Common Questions

Can you make American Goulash ahead of time?

Yes. Prepare the full dish, cool completely, refrigerate up to 3 days, then reheat on the stovetop over medium heat with a splash of broth to restore moisture.

What can you substitute for elbow macaroni?

Penne, rotini, or ditalini work well. Use the same quantity and adjust cooking time slightly based on the pasta shape's thickness.

Can you freeze American Goulash?

Yes. Cool completely, transfer to an airtight container, and freeze up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat gently on the stovetop.

Do you need to cook the pasta first?

No. Add uncooked elbow macaroni directly to the pot; it cooks in the broth and tomato sauce as everything simmers together.

How do you know when it's done?

The pasta should be tender and most of the liquid absorbed, usually 15–20 minutes after the mixture comes to a simmer. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.