This Cheesy One Pot American Goulash recipe is an easy and delicious dinner idea that the whole family will love. It is made with simple ingredients like elbow macaroni, ground beef, pasta sauce, cheese and corn. It's great comfort food and a real crowd-pleaser to make on busy weeknights when you need something quick yet tasty.
Have you tried the Stuffed Pepper Casserole yet? It's always a hit!
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Why you'll love this recipe
✔️ It takes only 30 minutes to make and picky eaters love this hearty meal. This is a very American version of the recipe, not to be confused with a traditional goulash.
✔️ It's a one-pot meal that doesn't require much cleanup.
✔️ The recipe can easily be doubled or tripled for larger groups when you need an easy dinner recipe.
Ingredients
For the exact measurements, please refer to the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- ground beef
- pasta sauce
- ketchup
- elbow macaroni
- frozen corn
- colby jack cheese
Instructions
This is an overview of the instructions. For the complete directions just scroll down to the bottom!
- Add the ground beef to a large Dutch Oven or similar pot and cook until no pink remains.
- Drain (if needed).
- Add the pasta sauce, water and ketchup and stir well. Bring to a boil.
- Add the elbow pasta, stir well and bring back to a boil.
- Turn the heat down to medium-low and add the lid to the pot.
- Cook for 15 minutes.
- Give a good stir, add the corn and stir well.
- Sprinkle with the cheese on top. Garnish with a pinch of green onions or parsley (optional).
Equipment
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- large pot or dutch oven with lid
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FAQ's
Hungarian goulash is a hearty beef stew with vegetables and root vegetables. Regular goulash is a combination of macaroni, ground beef and cheese.
Goulash is a Hungarian word meaning "herdsman's stew". So, this recipe got it's name from the hungarian word, because it's all cooked in one pot.
Yes, you can make it up to 2 days before serving.
Traditional goulash is more of a meat and vegetable stew seasoned heavily with paprika.
Deb's best tips
- Make sure that you brown the ground beef until there's no pink left.
- Don't forget to drain the fat off after cooking the beef.
- This is a great make-ahead dish because the next day it tastes even better!
- If you are using extra lean ground beef, you can add a little olive oil or canola oil to your pot so prevent the beef from sticking.
- I prefer to shred my own cheese for this recipe because it melts better.
- For a more creamy goulash, you can stir in ½ cup of sour cream or Greek yogurt at the very end.
Variations
- Use your favorite kind of cheese, like sharp cheddar cheese, mozzarella cheese, or a Mexican blend whatever you have on hand you can use for this recipe.
- Instead of using ground beef, you could also use ground turkey or ground chicken for this recipe.
- Add more flavor by adding a dash of garlic powder or onion powder, Worcestershire sauce, and Italian seasoning.
- For a spicy goulash add a hint of spice adding some crushed red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper to the pasta sauce.
- If you don't have uncooked elbow macaroni on hand, you can use other short pasta shapes like shells or bowties.
- Add some vegetables to this recipe by adding in diced onions, carrots, celery or chopped bell pepper.
Storage
Refrigerate - Leftover goulash can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
Reheat - Place leftovers into a pot or skillet with a lid over low heat, stirring occasionally until warmed through. You can also reheat using the microwave. Add a splash of beef broth or water to give the dish a little moisture if needed.
Freezer - This goulash freezes well in a freezer-safe dish for up to 3 months.
Related recipes
- Are you looking for more easy recipes to make for your family? You are guaranteed to find something your will love in these Easy Chicken Casserole recipes.
- If you love to make a comfort food classic recipe for dinner, then this Chicken Spaghetti with Rotel is the next recipe that you want to make.
- If you love a cheesy noodle dish, be sure and try the beef stroganoff casserole.
- Bacon Cheeseburger Soup - hearty and delicious it has all the flavor of your favorite burger.
- Do you want another classic dinner recipe for your family? If so, give this Chicken Noodle Casserole a try. It's creamy and comforting and always a hit.
Do you still have some ground beef to use? Check out these easy Ground Beef and Zucchini recipes.
Serve with
- This Air Fryer Garlic Bread is always a crowd pleaser when you serve it as a side dish with pasta dishes like this classic American beef goulash.
- I love to serve this Cheesy Beef Goulash recipe with a side of Steamed Brussel Sprouts for an easy weeknight dinner that's not only delicious but also family-friendly.
- End this perfect weeknight meal with a sweet treat like this No Bake Lemon Icebox Pie. It's tangy and creamy plus you don't have to bake it.
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If you love this recipe please leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating!
Old Fashioned Goulash Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 4 cups pasta sauce chunky
- 2 Tablespoons ketchup
- 1-½ cups water
- 16 ounces elbow pasta
- 1 cup frozen Corn
- 1 cup Colby Jack cheese freshly grated
Instructions
- Add the ground beef to a large Dutch Oven or similar pot. Brown and break into small pieces. Cook until no pink remains.
- Drain (if needed).
- Add the pasta sauce, water and ketchup and stir well. Bring to a boil.
- Add the elbow pasta, stir well and bring back to a boil.
- Turn the heat down to medium-low and add the lid to the pot.
- Cook for 15 minutes.
- Give a good stir, add the corn and stir well.
- Sprinkle with the cheese on top. Garnish with a pinch of green onions or parsley (optional).
ColleenB.~Tx. says
Was in process of making this when I realized I had no chunky pasta sauce. I normally try to stick to original recipe 1st time around........ but no pasta sauce. :{
Didn't want to run to the store just for the pasta sauce; so I used what I had in the pantry; a couple jars of the mild chunky salsa. Delicious!
Now, in place of the water (very seldom I will use water in a pasta dish). I will normally use V8 tomato juice OR beef broth / stock.
Enjoy the remainder of the week and stay cool
Lois says
Goulash is always so good. A go to meal at out house.
Bowl Me Over says
Thanks Lois - I'm glad you've been enjoying this easy recipe!
Heidy@ The McCallums Shamrock Patch says
It's been years since I have had a good goulash for dinner, our family used to make it all the time when I was a child...ahhh the memories 🙂 Thanks for sharing your wonderful photos, family, and recipe!
H
Linda (Meal Planning Maven) says
I just loved reading your story...it looks like everyone had such a wonderful time together! And for me, goulash also brings back happy memories of a time gone by...what a perfect comfort dish!
Bowl Me Over says
We did Linda, it was just a blast. Time spent with family is so precious. My folks live far away so I treasure the moments we have! Thanks for the kudos on goulash too. Have a great day!
April J Harris says
What a wonderful, thick and delicious stew! Your Goulash is definitely comfort food! I love the spices you have used as well. Really enjoyed your photographs of your trip up the coast - how cool to see whales!
Bowl Me Over says
Thanks April and yes seeing the whales was really incredible. Such amazing creatures it was the very best day!
MaryAnne Bowers-Scours says
What spices?
Debra Clark says
The spices and amounts are all listed on the recipe card MaryAnne. It's the green box at the bottom of the blog post.
Platter Talk says
This goulash is a fantastic bowl of savory goodness! Thanks for sharing.
Bowl Me Over says
So love goulash Dan - thanks so much for stopping by!
Janette@culinaryginger says
The Oregon coast really is pretty and your goulash looks so comforting.
Bowl Me Over says
Thanks Janette - it was a stunning drive down the coast. So much fun!
Jillian @ Food, Folks and Fun says
Goulash is some serious comfort food, your recipe looks amazing!
Bowl Me Over says
Thanks Jillian 😀
Sue Abero says
Love the photos of Ken and Lois--the goulash looks yummy too.
Bowl Me Over says
Thanks Sue! I have that pic of Mom & Dad hanging in my office, great pic!
Rodney says
We make something like that in Wisconsin, it's a good meal before fishing and hunting
Bowl Me Over says
I bet so Rodney - good stick to your ribs kinda food!
Lois says
This is so good. Love it.
Bowl Me Over says
Me too Mom - just an absolutely favorite!