This American Goulash is a classic one-pot comfort food made with seasoned ground beef, tender macaroni, and a rich tomato sauce for an easy, budget-friendly weeknight dinner the whole family will love. Perfect for busy nights, meal prep, and hearty leftovers, this old-fashioned goulash recipe is ready in under an hour and loaded with cozy flavor.
Ingredients
1 tablespoon olive oil
½ medium yellow onion, diced
1 medium bell pepper, diced
1 carrot peeled and finely diced
1 pound ground beef
3 teaspoons garlic, minced
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
15 ounces petite diced tomatoes, drained
24 ounce jar of pasta sauce
3 cups low-sodium beef broth
2 cups elbow macaroni
2 bay leaves
1½ cups cheddar cheese
Directions
1- Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add onion, bell pepper, and carrots; cook 3-4 minutes, stirring, until slightly softened.
2- Add ground beef and cook until no longer pink. Stir in minced garlic and cook 1 minute. Drain excess grease, then season with black pepper, paprika, and Italian seasoning.
3- Pour in diced tomatoes, pasta sauce, beef broth, elbow macaroni, and bay leaves. Stir to combine and bring to a boil. Reduce to a gentle boil, stirring occasionally, until pasta is tender, about 20 minutes.
4- Remove bay leaves and stir in cheddar cheese just before serving. Serve warm.