Easy Ground Beef Goulash

Easy Ground Beef Goulash is a fast and affordable family dinner recipe. Ground beef and macaroni combine with a cheesy tomato sauce for a one pan meal that is the ultimate comfort food.

Ground beef is one of those ingredients you can never have too many recipe for, am I right? Especially easy, family-friendly one-pot meals like Ground Beef and Rice Skillet, Ground Beef Stroganoff, Ground Beef and Potato Dinner, or this Easy Macaroni Goulash recipe!

This is an American Goulash recipe in contrast to Hungarian Goulash which is a thick meat and vegetable stew (with a tasty paprika flavor!). American goulash is a dish made with hamburger meat, tomato sauce, elbow noodles, and seasonings. It is affordable and fast so it is perfect for families! Read more about the differences in American and Hungarian goulash here.

Ingredients

I love that this recipe has no "fancy" ingredients, you might even already have everything you need on hand!

• extra virgin olive oil
• yellow onion
• green bell pepper
• lean ground beef
• minced garlic
• beef broth
• diced tomatoes
• tomato sauce
• Worcestershire sauce
• Italian seasoning
• seasoned salt
• bay leaves
• elbow macaroni noodles
• shredded cheddar cheese

Step by step

1. Heat olive oil in a large pot or dutch oven over medium high heat. Add onion, pepper, and hamburger meat. Cook until ground beef is browned thoroughly. Drain excess fat and return pot to stove.
2. Add garlic and cook 30 seconds, being careful not to burn. 
3. Add broth, diced tomatoes, tomatoes sauce, Worcestershire, Lawry’s seasoned salt, Italian seasoning, bay leaves, and noodles. Bring to a light boil and simmer 20 minutes or until pasta is tender.
4. Remove bay leaves. Add cheese and stir just before serving.

Variations and Add Ins

Goulash is an easy recipe to play with and change up. Here are a few ideas to inspire you to make this recipe your own!

• use another protein like ground chicken, ground pork, or ground turkey instead of ground beef
• add in a vegetable like spinach, peas, or green beans
• substitute another pasta type like rotini or penne
• no tomato sauce on hand? try spaghetti sauce!
• top with parmesan cheese instead of cheddar
• season with oregano and basil if you don't have Italian seasoning

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave. If you'd like to reheat on the stove top, add some broth or extra tomato sauce to help keep it from drying out.

If you try this recipe please comment and rate it below, I love hearing from you!

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