American goulash is a simple, comforting one-pot pasta dish made with ground beef, tomatoes, and elbow macaroni. It’s very different from Hungarian goulash—it’s more like a beefy tomato pasta skillet.
🍝 American Goulash (Classic One-Pot Version)
🧾 Ingredients
- 500g ground beef
- 1 medium onion (chopped)
- 3–4 garlic cloves (minced)
- 2 cups elbow macaroni (uncooked)
- 1 can (400g) diced tomatoes
- 2–3 tbsp tomato paste (optional, for richer flavor)
- 3 cups beef broth or water
- 1–2 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning (or oregano + basil)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 tbsp oil
- Optional: shredded cheese for topping
🔥 Instructions
1. Brown the beef
- Heat oil in a large pot.
- Cook ground beef until fully browned.
- Drain excess fat if needed.
2. Add aromatics
- Add onion and cook until soft.
- Stir in garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
3. Build the sauce
- Add diced tomatoes, tomato paste, paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
- Stir well.
4. Add liquid + pasta
- Pour in broth.
- Add uncooked macaroni directly into the pot.
- Stir everything together.
5. Simmer
- Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat.
- Cover and simmer for about 12–15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is tender.
6. Finish
- Taste and adjust seasoning.
- Let it rest 5 minutes so it thickens slightly.
- Top with cheese if you like.
🍽️ What it’s like
- Hearty, tomato-rich pasta
- Similar to a cross between chili and spaghetti
- Comfort food style, very filling and budget-friendly
⚡ Tips
- Stir while cooking so pasta doesn’t stick.
- Add a splash of Worcestershire sauce for deeper flavor.
- For creaminess, mix in a little shredded cheddar at the end.
If you want, I can also show:
- 🧀 Cheesy baked American goulash
- 🌶️ Spicy “chili-style” goulash version
- 🍲 Traditional Hungarian goulash (completely different dish)
