One-Pot Beef and Macaroni Goulash

Name: One-Pot Beef and Macaroni Goulash
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 2 h 35 min
Total time: 2 h 45 min
Yield: 8 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 lb Italian sausage; 2.25 lbs ground beef; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 3 tsp dried basil; 1 tbsp brown sugar; 1 tsp salt; 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes; 2 tsp dried parsley flakes; 1/4 tsp black pepper; 1 medium yellow onion, diced; 28 oz petite diced tomatoes, undrained; 30 oz tomato sauce; 6 oz tomato paste; 2 cups water; 2 cups elbow macaroni pasta, uncooked

This one-pot beef and macaroni goulash combines ground beef and Italian sausage in a slow-simmered tomato sauce with tender pasta—a straightforward comfort meal that comes together in a single pot.

🌍American 🏷️Goulash 🏷️American goulash 🏷️One-pot pasta 🏷️Macaroni Ground beef

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🏷️Italian sausage

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TikTok

Total

2h 45m

Servings

8

Difficulty

Easy

Est. Cost

$28–$46

Recipe Source

View original recipe

From TikTok

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TikTok

Ingredients

1 lb Italian sausage
2.25 lbs ground beef
2 cloves garlic, minced
3 tsp dried basil
1 tbsp brown sugar
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
2 tsp dried parsley flakes
1/4 tsp black pepper
1 medium yellow onion, diced
28 oz petite diced tomatoes, undrained
30 oz tomato sauce
6 oz tomato paste
2 cups water
2 cups elbow macaroni pasta, uncooked

Instructions

1
Remove the casings from the Italian sausage.
2
In a large pot or Dutch oven, combine the Italian sausage and ground beef. Cook over medium-high heat, breaking up the meat, until almost browned.
3
While the meat browns, combine the minced garlic, dried basil, brown sugar, salt, crushed red pepper flakes, dried parsley, and black pepper in a small bowl.
4
Add the diced onion to the pot with the meat and continue to cook until the meat is fully browned and the onion is softened.
5
Drain the excess fat from the pot and return it to the stove.
6
Add the petite diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, and the prepared seasoning mixture to the pot.
7
Pour in the water and stir everything together until well combined.
8
Bring the sauce to a low boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it simmer for 2 hours, stirring occasionally.
9
After 2 hours, add the uncooked macaroni pasta to the pot and stir to incorporate.
10
Cover the pot again and continue to cook for approximately 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is tender.
11
Once the pasta is cooked through, remove the pot from the heat and serve hot.

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Tips & Notes

Pro tips

Brown the beef and sausage thoroughly before adding other ingredients to build a deeper, more savory base flavor.
Simmer uncovered for at least 1.5–2 hours to allow the tomato sauce to reduce and concentrate; taste and adjust seasoning halfway through.
Add macaroni in the final 15–20 minutes of cooking so it absorbs sauce without becoming mushy; stir occasionally.
Use a heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven to prevent scorching during the long simmer and ensure even cooking.

Substitutions

Italian sausage → sweet or spicy bulk sausage (adjust red pepper flakes if using sweet)
Brown sugar → 1 tbsp honey or 1.5 tsp molasses (balances acidity similarly)
Dried basil and parsley → 3 tbsp fresh basil and 2 tbsp fresh parsley added in final 5 minutes

Storage & make-ahead

Cool completely, then refrigerate in an airtight container up to 3 days; reheat gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally and adding water if needed to restore sauce consistency.