This Old Fashioned Goulash recipe is the ultimate comfort food for the whole family. An easy dinner, this hearty beef and pasta dish will be a huge hit.

Ground Beef Goulash

If you’ve been looking for a recipe for goulash with ground beef, you have to try my Old Fashioned Goulash recipe! A budget-friendly and easy one-pot meal that you may have had at grandma’s house, these flavors will take you on a trip down memory lane.

This main dish is loaded with textures and flavors and is made with simple ingredients that you can find at any grocery store. A healthy meal that you can whip up any night of the week, this should satisfy even your picky eaters!

A simple recipe that will turn into one of your favorite comfort foods, I hope this hearty beefy macaroni dish hits the spot!

What Is The Difference Between Traditional Hungarian Goulash And American Goulash?

While they have the same name, there are some big differences between the Hungarian version and the American style of goulash.

The Hungarian dish is more of a stew or a soup made with chunks of meat, potatoes, and vegetables, often topped with sour cream.

An American goulash recipe (also called American Chop Suey or Johnny Marzetti) has macaroni noodles with a tomato base and ground beef.

Another key difference is that the classic American comfort food can be made quickly. The Hungarian style usually takes a few hours.

Recipe Notes:

Do not add all of your sugar at once. Add half of the sugar and taste to decide if you need the rest.
I use cavatappi pasta for this recipe, but you can use elbow macaroni or another spiral pasta of your choosing.
Serve the finished product with some garlic bread or crusty bread and my crispy asparagus for a complete meal.

How To Make Old Fashioned Goulash

Old Fashioned Goulash Recipe Ingredients:

16 oz dry pasta (I used Cavatappi)
1 lb lean ground beef
1/2 cup onion, diced
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
2 cups beef broth
1 cup tomato sauce
1 can diced tomatoes 14.5 oz
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1/2 – 1 teaspoon sugar (as needed)
1 tablespoon fresh Italian parsley, chopped
Salt to taste

Supplies Needed:

Cutting board
Sharp knife
Large pot
Large colander
Wooden spoon
Large skillet

Directions:

Step 1: Take out a cutting board and a sharp knife and dice your onions. Set them aside.

Step 2: In a large pot, cook your pasta to al dente according to the directions on the box. Drain it and set it aside.

Step 3: Cook the ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat on the stove top, breaking it up with a wooden spoon as it cooks. Drain the excess fat.

Step 4: When there is no more visible raw beef, add the onions, garlic, basil, paprika, oregano, and pepper to your large pan. Stir to combine well. Turn the heat down to medium heat and cook for 3 to 4 minutes.

Step 5: Add the diced tomatoes and break up any large chunks with the back of your spoon. Add the tomato sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and broth. Stir to combine and bring everything to a simmer.

Step 7: Gently simmer for 10 to 15 minutes to allow the flavors to combine.

Step 8: Taste your sauce. If the acidity of the tomatoes is too overpowering for your taste, add a little sugar.

Try a half teaspoon at first. Stir and taste again. If it needs a little more sugar, add the remaining half teaspoon. Let the sauce cook for another 4-5 minutes.

Step 9: Add the pasta and sprinkle in the parsley. Stir to combine, taste, and add salt as you feel it is needed.

Step 10: Separate your goulash into bowls, serve them with Parmesan cheese for garnish, and enjoy!

How To Store Leftover Old Fashioned Goulash

Store any leftover goulash in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Can I Add Anything To This Old-Fashioned Goulash?

Yes! I highly suggest trying the original recipe the first time you cook this before adding or changing anything, but this is an easy recipe to add to.

Chopped red bell peppers or green pepper, carrots, a can of corn or green beans (drained before adding), or a can of kidney beans (also drained) are different kinds of ingredients you may enjoy.

You can also add a little kick with red pepper flakes if you prefer yours on the spicier side.

Can I Use A Different Ground Meat In This Easy Goulash Recipe?

This hearty recipe calls for a single pound of ground beef, as is typical in a classic goulash recipe, but you can change it up if you’d like.

You can use ground turkey, ground chicken, ground pork, or a combination of ground beef and another meat. Think about what your grandma’s goulash contained.

This is a great way to use up leftover ground beef as well if you’ve made something like sloppy joes the night before (or want to make them the next day). Save yourself a little prep time and cook the meat all at once.

Are You Looking For More Tasty Pasta Recipes? Here Are Some Of My Favorites:

T-fal Specialty 3 PC Initiatives Nonstick Inside and Out, 8 Qimh Collapsible Colander | Over The Sink Silicone Kitchen Strainers and Colanders with Extendable Handles | Veggies, Fruit and Pasta Foldable Strainer for Kitchen, 6-Quart, BPA Free OXO Good Grips 3-Piece Wooden Spoon Set Gorilla Grip Durable Kitchen Cutting Board Set of 3, BPA Free, Reversible Use, Easy Grip Rubber Handles, Deep Juice Grooves, Large Food Chopping Boards, Dishwasher Safe, Chop Meat, Veggies, Black Better than Bouillon Premium Roasted Beef Base & Roasted Chicken Base 8 oz Jars, 2 CT French’s Worcestershire Sauce, 5 fl oz

Yield: About 6 servings

Old Fashioned Goulash Recipe

Name: Old Fashioned Goulash Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 6
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 16 oz dry pasta (I used Cavatappi); 1 lb lean ground beef; 1/2 cup onion, diced; 1/2 tsp garlic powder; 1/2 tsp dried basil; 1/2 tsp paprika; 1/4 tsp dried oregano; 1/4 tsp black pepper; 2 cups beef broth; 1 cup tomato sauce; 1 can diced tomatoes 14.5 oz; 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce; 1/2 - 1 tsp sugar (as needed); 1 Tbsp fresh Italian parsley, chopped; Salt to taste

This Old Fashioned Goulash recipe is the ultimate comfort food for the whole family. An easy dinner, this hearty beef and pasta dish will be a huge hit!

Prep Time 5 minutes

Cook Time 35 minutes

Total Time 40 minutes

Ingredients

16 oz dry pasta (I used Cavatappi)
1 lb lean ground beef
1/2 cup onion, diced
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp dried basil
1/2 tsp paprika
1/4 tsp dried oregano
1/4 tsp black pepper
2 cups beef broth
1 cup tomato sauce
1 can diced tomatoes 14.5 oz
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1/2 - 1 tsp sugar (as needed)
1 Tbsp fresh Italian parsley, chopped
Salt to taste

Instructions

Cook the pasta according to the directions on the package, drain, and set aside.
Cook the ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks.
When there is no more visible raw beef, add the onions, garlic, basil, paprika, oregano, and pepper.
Stir to combine, turn the heat down to medium, and cook for 3 to 4 minutes.
Add the diced tomatoes and break up any large chunks with the back of your spoon.
Add the tomato sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and broth. Stir to combine and bring to a simmer.
Gently simmer for 10 to 15 minutes to allow the flavors to combine.
Taste your sauce. If it's too acidic or tomatoey, add a half a tsp sugar. Stir and taste again. If it needs a little more sugar, add the remaining half tsp.
Let the sauce cook for another 4-5 minutes.
Add the pasta to your skillet and sprinkle in the parsley.
Stir to combine, taste, and add salt to taste.
Serve with Parmesan cheese for garnish.

Old Fashioned Goulash – Just Like Grandma’s Goulash!

Ground Beef Goulash