The Best Old Fashioned Goulash Recipe: Homey & Heartwarming

Comfort food never tasted better than with this hearty old fashioned goulash recipe that brings warmth to your dinner table.

Generations of home cooks have perfected this classic Hungarian-inspired dish, passing down secrets through family kitchens.

Tender beef mingles with soft pasta in a rich, tomato-based sauce that promises deep, satisfying flavors.

Packed with simple ingredients and robust seasonings, this one-pot meal delivers nostalgia and deliciousness in every single bite.

The robust blend of herbs and spices creates a meal that feels like a culinary hug from your grandmother.

Each spoonful connects you to traditional cooking that celebrates simple, wholesome ingredients.

Old Fashioned Goulash Comfort Features

• Savor Hearty Comfort: A soul-warming one-pot wonder packed with rich beef and tender pasta that hugs your taste buds with classic American flavors.
• Whip Up Quickly: Super simple recipe requiring minimal chopping and basic ingredients anyone can find in their kitchen, perfect for busy weeknights or last-minute meals.
• Kid-Approved Delight: Cheesy, meaty, and totally satisfying dish that makes children excited about dinner, transforming mealtime into a happy family gathering.
• Versatile Crowd-Pleaser: Great for potlucks, casual gatherings, or family dinners where everyone craves something filling and delicious without complicated preparation steps.

Goulash Ingredient Rundown

• Ground Beef: A hearty meat that provides rich flavor and protein for the goulash.

• Elbow Macaroni: A classic pasta shape that catches sauce perfectly and adds comforting texture.

• Onion, Garlic: These vegetables create a deep, savory foundation for the dish.

• Tomato Sauce, Diced Tomatoes: Add moisture and tangy tomato flavor to the goulash.
• Beef Broth: Enhances the meaty depth and helps create a rich cooking liquid.

• Worcestershire Sauce: Provides a complex, umami-rich flavor boost.
• Italian Seasoning, Paprika, Salt, Pepper: Create a well-rounded and traditional goulash flavor profile.

• Cheddar Cheese: Offers a creamy, sharp finish that melts into the dish for extra richness.

Cooking Old Fashioned Goulash Easily

Step 1: Brown The Meat

Heat a large pot over medium flame and cook ground beef, breaking it into small crumbles until no pink remains.

Carefully drain away any excess fat from the pan.

Step 2: Sauté Aromatics

Toss chopped onions and minced garlic into the pot.

Sauté these fragrant ingredients until they become soft and translucent, releasing their delightful flavors.

Step 3: Build The Flavor Base

• Tomato sauce
• Diced tomatoes
• Beef broth
• Worcestershire sauce
• Italian seasoning
• Paprika
• Salt
• Black pepper

Stir all ingredients together to create a rich, hearty sauce.

Step 4: Simmer And Develop Flavors

Bring the mixture to a rolling boil, then reduce heat and let it gently simmer for 10 minutes.

This allows the spices to meld and intensify the overall taste.

Step 5: Cook The Pasta

Add uncooked elbow macaroni directly into the sauce.

Cover the pot and continue simmering for 10-12 minutes until pasta reaches perfect tenderness.

Step 6: Optional Cheese Finish

If desired, sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over the top and stir until completely melted, creating a creamy texture.

Step 7: Serve And Enjoy

Ladle the steaming goulash into bowls and serve immediately.

This hearty meal promises comfort in every delicious bite.

Goulash Tips for Rich Flavor

• Remove all excess fat from ground beef to prevent a greasy dish and enhance the overall flavor profile.
• Let cheddar cheese melt slowly and stir gently to create a smooth, creamy texture throughout the goulash.
• Avoid overcooking macaroni by checking tenderness at the 10-minute mark to maintain ideal al dente consistency.
• Enhance depth of flavor by toasting Italian seasoning and paprika briefly in the pot before adding liquid ingredients.
• Maintain a gentle simmer to allow flavors to meld together and develop a rich, comforting taste in the goulash.

Variations to Change Up Goulash

• Plant-Based Goulash: Replace ground beef with crumbled firm tofu or plant-based meat alternative for a vegetarian version. Use vegetable broth instead of beef broth.
• Gluten-Free Option: Swap regular elbow macaroni with gluten-free pasta. Ensure all other ingredients are certified gluten-free.
• Spicy Southwest Remix: Add diced green chilies, swap Italian seasoning for chili powder, and include a dash of cayenne pepper. Top with pepper jack cheese for extra heat.
• Low-Carb Alternative: Substitute pasta with spiralized zucchini noodles or cauliflower rice. Use fewer tomatoes and increase protein content.

Serving Old Fashioned Goulash at the Table

• Cozy Family Dinner Centerpiece: Serve this hearty goulash as the star of your family meal, surrounded by warm dinner rolls and fresh green salad for a complete comfort food experience.
• Potluck Party Pleaser: Bring this crowd-pleasing dish to gatherings in a large slow cooker, keeping it warm and ready for friends to enjoy with crusty bread on the side.
• Meal Prep Champion: Pack individual portions in meal prep containers for easy lunches during the week, pairing perfectly with a quick side of steamed vegetables or a crisp slaw.
• Leftover Magic Transformation: Repurpose extra goulash by using it as a topping for baked potatoes or stuffing into warm tortillas for a quick next-day meal with a delicious twist.

Storing Goulash

• Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keeps fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Transfer cooled goulash to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Freezes well for up to 3 months. Leave 1/2 inch space at the top for expansion.
• Place portion in microwave-safe dish. Cover with microwave-safe lid or plastic wrap. Heat on medium power for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through. Check internal temperature reaches 165°F.

FAQs

• Is goulash originally from America?

No, goulash is a traditional Hungarian stew that was adapted by American home cooks into a pasta-based comfort food dish.

• Can I use different types of pasta?

While elbow macaroni is traditional, you can substitute other short pasta shapes like rotini or penne that hold sauce well.

• How do I prevent the pasta from becoming mushy?

Add pasta near the end of cooking and avoid overcooking. Simmer just until pasta is tender, typically 10-12 minutes.

• What makes this goulash different from Hungarian goulash?

American goulash is more like a one-pot pasta casserole, while traditional Hungarian goulash is a beef and vegetable stew without pasta.

Old Fashioned Goulash Recipe

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4.7 from 19 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Hungarian goulash brings robust comfort to your table with its rich, hearty blend of tender beef, paprika-infused sauce, and classic European flavors. Warm spices and slow-simmered meat create a soul-satisfying meal you’ll crave on chilly evenings.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meat:

• 1 pound (1 lb) ground beef
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional)

Vegetables and Aromatics:

• 1 small onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced

Pantry and Liquid Ingredients:

• 1 15-ounce (15 oz) can tomato sauce
• 1 14.5-ounce (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes
• 1 1/2 cups elbow macaroni, uncooked
• 2 cups beef broth
• 1 teaspoon (1 tsp) Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon (1 tsp) Italian seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon (1/2 tsp) paprika
• Salt and pepper to taste

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Instructions

1. Brown ground beef in a large pot over medium heat, carefully draining any accumulated fat to ensure a lean base for the goulash.
2. Incorporate diced onions and minced garlic, sautéing until the vegetables become translucent and release their aromatic flavors.
3. Pour in tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, beef broth, and season with Worcestershire sauce, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and black pepper, creating a robust and flavorful liquid foundation.
4. Elevate the mixture to a rolling boil, then immediately reduce heat and allow the sauce to gently simmer for 10 minutes, enabling the spices to meld and intensify.
5. Introduce uncooked elbow macaroni directly into the simmering sauce, covering the pot and continuing to cook for 10-12 minutes until the pasta reaches perfect al dente tenderness.
6. Optional: Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over the goulash, stirring until the cheese melts completely and creates a creamy, luxurious texture.
7. Remove from heat and let the goulash rest for 2-3 minutes to allow flavors to settle, then serve piping hot with a garnish of fresh parsley if desired.

Notes

• Drain beef thoroughly to prevent excess grease, which can make the dish heavy and oily.
• Use lean ground beef (90/10) for a healthier version without compromising rich flavor.
• Fresh herbs like chopped parsley can elevate the final presentation and add bright, fresh notes to the classic comfort dish.
• For gluten-free adaptation, swap regular elbow macaroni with gluten-free pasta and ensure all other ingredients are certified gluten-free.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: Hungarian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 324 kcal
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 540 mg
• Fat: 14 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 26 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 22 g
• Cholesterol: 55 mg