American goulash is a hearty, one-pot comfort food made with ground beef, pasta, and a tomato-based sauce. Despite the name, it’s quite different from Hungarian goulash—it’s more like a simple beef-and-macaroni skillet meal.
🍝 American Goulash (Classic Version)
🧾 Ingredients
- 500 g ground beef
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2–3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups elbow macaroni (uncooked)
- 1 can (400 g) diced tomatoes
- 2–3 tbsp tomato paste (optional for richer flavor)
- 3 cups beef broth or water
- 1–2 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp dried oregano or Italian seasoning
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 tbsp oil
🔥 Instructions
1. Brown the beef
- Heat oil in a large pot
- Cook ground beef until browned
- Drain excess fat if needed
2. Add aromatics
- Add onion and garlic
- Cook until softened and fragrant (2–3 minutes)
3. Build the sauce
- Stir in:
- diced tomatoes
- tomato paste
- paprika
- seasoning
- Pour in broth and bring to a simmer
4. Cook the pasta
- Add uncooked macaroni directly into the pot
- Stir and simmer until pasta is tender (about 10–15 minutes)
- Stir occasionally so it doesn’t stick
5. Finish
- Adjust salt and pepper
- Let it thicken slightly before serving
🍽️ Serving ideas
- Topped with shredded cheese
- With garlic bread or simple salad
- Extra paprika or chili flakes for heat
💡 Tips
- Stir often while pasta cooks to avoid sticking
- Add more broth if it becomes too thick
- For richer flavor, simmer longer after pasta is cooked
🧠 What makes it “American”
Unlike Hungarian goulash (which is more like a paprika beef stew), American goulash:
- Uses ground beef instead of chunks
- Includes pasta (usually macaroni)
- Is cooked as a single-pot quick meal
