Our delicious American Goulash recipe has ground beef and elbow pasta cooked in a flavorful, cheesy, red sauce. It’s made all in one pan and is picky-eater approved!
Want more pasta dishes? Try Tuscan Chicken Pasta, Manicotti, Boursin Pasta, and Pastalaya!
American Goulash they’ll devour (even picky eaters!).
American Goulash they’ll devour (even picky eaters!).Whether you call it American Goulash or Beefaroni, you have to admit, this pasta dish a totally comfort classic! It’s made all in one pan in about 30 minutes, making it a winner for busy weeknights. I’ve also included instructions to make goulash in the instant pot or slow cooker.
How to make American Goulash (Beefaroni):
Make Sauce: Sauté onion in pan then add garlic. Add ground beef and season with salt and pepper. Cook, using a meat chopper or spatula to crumble it to small pieces. Add dry spices and cook for 1-2 minutes. Pour in tomato sauce, tomato paste, sugar, Worcestershire, and 1 ½ cups beef broth. Simmer on low for 15-20 minutes.
Cook Pasta: Add the additional ¾ cup broth and uncooked pasta. Cook until pasta is tender then stir in the cheese, allowing it to melt.
Freezing Instructions:
To Freeze: Allow to cool completely then place in a freezer safe container and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw completely in the fridge, then add a splash of broth when reheating, if needed.
Recipe Variations:
- Instant Pot: Push setting on Instant Pot to sauté then cook ground beef and onion. Drain grease, add spices, then cook for 1 minute. Turn off Instant Pot then stir in tomato sauce, paste, sugar, Worcestershire, and 1 ½ cups beef broth (don’t add any extra broth). Dump in macaroni noodles, stir, then close lid and seal and set to high pressure for 4 minutes. Do a quick release, stir, and add cheese.
- Crock Pot: Cook onion and ground beef in a pan on the stove then add spices and cook for 2 minutes. Stir in tomato sauce, paste, sugar, Worcestershire, and 1 cup of beef broth. Cook on high for 2 hours or on low for 4 hours. Cook pasta separately according to package instructions, then stir in the cooked noodles and cheese, stirring until melted.
More One Pot Meals:
- Garlic Chicken
- Chicken Marsala Pasta
- Honey Mustard Chicken
- Teriyaki Chicken
- Chow Mein
- Breakfast Skillet
- Taco Soup
- Cottage Pie
- Classic Homemade Chili
- Baked Ziti
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Recipe
American Goulash (Beefaroni)
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- 1 large onion , finely diced
- 3 cloves garlic , minced
- 1 lb lean ground beef or turkey
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1 Tablespoon dried parsley
- 2 teaspoons dried basil
- 1 teaspoon EACH garlic powder, and paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon EACH dried oregano and chili powder
- pinch crushed red pepper flakes
- 6 oz tomato paste
- 15 oz tomato sauce
- 1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 Tablespoon granulated sugar
- 2 1/2 cups low-sodium beef broth , divided
- 1 ½ cups elbow noodles (8 oz) , uncooked
- 1 cup freshly grated cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Sauté onions and cook beef: Heat a large skillet with sides, over medium heat. Add oil. Once hot, add onion and saute for several minutes into tender and translucent. Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Push onion to the side and add ground beef and season well with salt and pepper. Cook until browned, crumbling it into very small pieces as it cooks. Add all dry spices and cook for 1-2 minutes.
- Finish sauce: Stir in the tomato paste, tomato sauce, sugar, Worcestershire and 1 ½ cups beef broth. Simmer on low for 15-20 minutes. Taste and add additional seasonings, if needed.
- Add pasta: Stir in additional ¾ cup broth and uncooked pasta. Cook until pasta is tender. Stir in freshly grated cheese and allow to melt. Serve immediately.
Notes
Nutrition
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I originally shared this recipe August 2021. Updated September 2024.
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My whole family really enjoyed this dish. I will be making this again! Thank you!
I did the Instant Pot version. I felt it had too much tomato paste (probably due to using 1 less cup of broth). Also got the burn notice. If I make again, will only add 2 T. tomato paste. Had good flavor otherwise.
Easy to make. Tastes really delicious. Hearty. Keeps well. Great for meal planning and lunch to bring to work! Better than the box version. Plan to make the sauce with spaghetti, for variety. Thanks, Lauren!
Easy to make. Tastes really delicious. Hearty.
Keeps well. Great for meal planning and lunch to bring to work! Better than the box version. Plan to make the sauce with spaghetti, for variety. Thanks, Lauren!
OK am I the only one who is having a problem with these uncooked noodles ? They are barely cooking after 20 minutes did I do something wrong ? Advice please
Add some more water or broth and continue cooking.
Yummy! I had been craving goulash and had all the ingredients on hand. This is so delicious. It has the perfect amount of flavor. It makes for a great, comforting Sunday night meal.
This was amazing!! Honestly, it was incredibly simple to make and will undoubtably become a new family favorite! We loved exactly the way it was and wouldn’t change a thing!
Delicious and easy! I didn’t have tomato paste so I subbed tomato soup and left out the sugar since soup is already sweetened. Definitely plan to make this a regular. Thanks so much for sharing your recipes and shopping lists! You are a huge help to this unorganized mom!
I love most of your stuff, but this didn’t work out. Too. Many. Ingredients., and the family liked Hamburger Helper more. It was worth a try, like I said most things from you are a big hit.
Delicious, easy recipe that will be joining my weeknight staple lineup. I made the instant pot version and it tastes like its been cooking all day with just 40 minutes and one dirty pot! Thank you for this comfort food dish.