Old Fashioned Goulash – The same American goulash recipe that you grew up with. A hearty recipe that the entire family can enjoy any night of the week.
I grew up in the Mid-West where old fashioned goulash was a staple. My mom made it all the time growing up, and it was something that she grew up with as well. It is one of those recipes that just keeps getting made generation after generation. Kind of like the homemade brownies recipe that I have had memorized since I was 8 years old.
This American goulash recipe is the one I grew up with. You cook everything on the stove top, and then bake until all the flavors come together and it gets bubbly and hot. It goes by a million different names, but in Minnesota this is what we called it.
What is Goulash?
American Goulash is completely different from the rest of the world. It is a hearty beefy macaroni dish with lots of tomatoes. Depending on the part of the United States that you grew up in this also goes by the name Chop Suey or Slumgullion.
Hungarian Goulash is made with stew meat and vegetables that is seasoned with paprika and other spices. The two versions are very different!
How to Make Goulash
- The macaroni is cooked separately, so follow the directions on the box to cook that. Because you bake the pasta for a few minutes to blend all of the flavors together, you want to under cook the pasta by 3 minutes.
- I like to use a large skillet or even a dutch oven to brown the ground beef and onions together until the beef is cooked and the onions are soft.
- After the onions are soft stir in the garlic and cook for about a minute until it starts to get fragrant.
- Add in Worcestershire sauce, tomato sauce and the diced tomatoes and mix until everything is combined. You can really use any combination of tomato products that you have. If you don’t like chunks of tomatoes, just use all sauce. If you have fire roasted tomatoes in your pantry, use them!
- Add in the seasonings and taste to adjust. Start with just a little salt and add more if you think it is necessary.
- Once everything is cooked stir in the cooked pasta and cheese until everything is combined.
- Bake for 20 minutes until the cheese is melted and everything is hot and bubbly. If your pan is not oven safe transfer to a casserole dish to bake.
What to Serve with Goulash
- Caesar Salad or your favorite big salad
- Garlic Knots
- Cornbread is a great side dish
- Roasted Brussels Sprouts
- Buttered Saltine Crackers – an absolute must for my grandpa
Can you Freeze Goulash
Yes, you absolutely can freeze it. This makes a ton of goulash, so if you have leftovers just let it cool completely and then store in an air tight container for up to 2-3 months. To thaw place in the fridge overnight and then reheat in the oven.
Leftovers are great in the fridge for 3-4 days as well. It is great to have for lunch all week long! Just reheat in the microwave.
If you want pure comfort food, something hearty and delicious you need to try this old fashioned goulash recipe. You will not be disappointed, and the leftovers are great for lunch for days!
Try serving it with buttered saltine crackers and let me know what you think!
Even More Comfort Food
- Homemade Calzones
- Crock Pot Chili
- Lasagna Soup
- Olive Garden Breadsticks
- Creamy Chicken and Rice
- Tuscan Chicken Pasta
Don’t forget Dessert Recipes!
Video by Inspo
Old Fashioned Goulash
Old Fashioned Goulash - The same American goulash recipe that you grew up with. A hearty recipe that the entire family can enjoy any night of the week.
Ingredients
- 1 pound elbow macaroni
- 2 pounds ground beef
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 (15 oz) cans tomato sauce
- 2 (14.5 oz) cans petit diced tomatoes
- 1 1/2 Tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Bring a large pot of water to boil. Cook macaroni for 3 minute less than the box directions. Drain.
- Heat a large skillet over high heat. Add ground beef and onions to the pan. Break beef apart, cooking for 6-7 minutes until browned. Drain any fat.
- Mix in garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Add in worchestershire sauce, tomato sauce and diced tomatoes. Mix until combined.
- Stir in Italian seasoning, salt and pepper. Taste and adjust seasonings to taste.
- Mix in cooked macaroni and cheddar cheese. If skillet is heat safe, you can place in the oven for 20-25 minutes until bubbly and cheese is melted. Or transfer to casserole dish and bake.
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Nutrition Information
Yield
8Serving Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 500Total Fat 26gSaturated Fat 10gTrans Fat 1gUnsaturated Fat 11gCholesterol 115mgSodium 1397mgCarbohydrates 28gFiber 4gSugar 6gProtein 39g
Nutrition Disclaimer: All information presented on this site is intended for informational purposes only. I am not a certified nutritionist and any nutritional information shared on dinnersdishesanddesserts.com should only be used as a general guideline.
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Nylene says
I’ve made this FOREVER! One of my North Dakota Scandinavian Lutheran “ Hot Dishes” (as we called it)
Definitely one of my comfort foods!
I do everything on top of the stove, in one big pan and I let the ground beef & seasonings simmer, covered, for a couple of hours before adding the cooked macaroni. The macaroni will get too mushy if it’s over cooked
No point in having a bunch of unnecessary pot,pans & dishes!
It’s even tastier heated up the next day for lunch!
Fred says
My mom added red and green peppers. Haven’t had it in years, maybe soon.