Old Fashioned Goulash Easy Dinner Ideas Recipe

Give it up, my sweet friend! You cannot resist the call of a steaming, saucy, soul-hugging bowl of Old Fashioned Goulash Easy Dinner Ideas. Come to Mama! This is the kind of one-pot dinner idea that saves the day, just like a cozy bowl of Creamy Beef Lasagna Soup.

This is the dinner that saves the day. Every single time. It’s the hero of busy weeknights, the champion of empty pantries, and the ultimate crowd-pleaser.

We’re talking tender elbow macaroni, a rich, savory tomato sauce, and perfectly seasoned ground beef all in one pot. It’s pure, uncomplicated comfort. Let’s make it!

Recipe Overview

• Cuisine: American
• Category: Main Course
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Servings: 6 hungry people

Do You Love This Recipe Too?

This dish is my childhood in a bowl. My grandma called it American Chop Suey. My mom just called it dinner.

The smell of it cooking would pull me right into the kitchen. It was our ultimate budget friendly celebration food.

Now, I make it when I need a hug from the inside out. It never, ever fails me. That’s why I’m obsessed!

My Shopping List for This Recipe

I keep most of this stuff on hand for emergency dinner situations. It’s the backbone of the best pantry meals!

You just need a few fresh things and some staples. Let’s break it down.

Recipe

Old Fashioned Goulash Easy Dinner Ideas Recipe

Make Old Fashioned Goulash Easy Dinner Ideas Recipe with simple ingredients and clear steps. Prep, cook, and enjoy—perfect for cozy evenings.

Author: Emily Morgan

Prep: 10 min | Cook: 25 min | Total: 35 min

Serves: - 4 + bites

★ Rate 🖨 Print

Let’s Get Your Ingredients Ready

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 large yellow onion, diced
• 1 green bell pepper, diced (optional, but so good!)
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 pound lean ground beef
• 1 (24-ounce) jar of your favorite pasta sauce
• 1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce
• 1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
• 2 cups beef broth or water
• 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 bay leaf (the secret flavor booster!)
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• 2 cups dry elbow macaroni
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, for serving

Bringing This Recipe to Life (Step-by-Step)

1

Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the onion and bell pepper. Cook for 4-5 minutes until they start to soften.

2

Add the garlic and cook for one more minute until fragrant. You’ll know it’s ready!

3

Add the ground beef. Break it up with your spoon and cook until it’s no longer pink. Drain any excess fat if you need to.

4

Now, pour in the pasta sauce, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, and broth. Stir it all together beautifully.

5

Season with Italian seasoning, paprika, the bay leaf, salt, and pepper. Give it a good stir and bring it to a lively bubble.

6

Once it’s bubbling, stir in the dry elbow macaroni. Make sure every piece is covered in that glorious sauce.

7

Reduce the heat to medium-low. Cover the pot and let it simmer for 20-25 minutes. Stir it once or twice so nothing sticks.

8

The pasta should be tender and have soaked up so much flavor. Take out the bay leaf. Taste and add more salt or pepper if you want.

9

Serve it up hot in big bowls! Top each one with a handful of that shredded cheddar cheese. Watch it melt into perfection.

Notes

Enjoy your homemade Old Fashioned Goulash Easy Dinner Ideas Recipe!

Nutrition Information

Calories: ~450

Carbohydrates: 48g

Protein: 28g

Fat: 16g

Saturated Fat: 6g

Fiber: 5g

Sugar: 10g

Did You Make This?

Leave a review and tag us on social media!

Let’s Get Your Ingredients Ready

Grab your biggest skillet or Dutch oven. This comes together so fast!

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 large yellow onion, diced
• 1 green bell pepper, diced (optional, but so good!)
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 pound lean ground beef
• 1 (24-ounce) jar of your favorite pasta sauce
• 1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce
• 1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
• 2 cups beef broth or water
• 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 bay leaf (the secret flavor booster!)
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• 2 cups dry elbow macaroni
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, for serving

Bringing This Recipe to Life (Step-by-Step)

This is where the magic happens. Get ready for the best smells in your kitchen! The process is wonderfully simple, much like making a comforting creamy beef lasagna soup.

1. Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the onion and bell pepper. Cook for 4-5 minutes until they start to soften.
2. Add the garlic and cook for one more minute until fragrant. You’ll know it’s ready!
3. Add the ground beef. Break it up with your spoon and cook until it’s no longer pink. Drain any excess fat if you need to.
4. Now, pour in the pasta sauce, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, and broth. Stir it all together beautifully.
5. Season with Italian seasoning, paprika, the bay leaf, salt, and pepper. Give it a good stir and bring it to a lively bubble.
6. Once it’s bubbling, stir in the dry elbow macaroni. Make sure every piece is covered in that glorious sauce.
7. Reduce the heat to medium-low. Cover the pot and let it simmer for 20-25 minutes. Stir it once or twice so nothing sticks.
8. The pasta should be tender and have soaked up so much flavor. Take out the bay leaf. Taste and add more salt or pepper if you want.
9. Serve it up hot in big bowls! Top each one with a handful of that shredded cheddar cheese. Watch it melt into perfection.

Fun Variations to Try Next Time

Got extra stuff in the fridge? Toss it in! This recipe loves to play.

Try using ground turkey or Italian sausage instead of beef. It’s a whole new flavor adventure!

Stir in a cup of frozen corn or peas right at the end. It adds a sweet pop and some color.

For a creamy twist, stir in a big spoonful of cream cheese right before serving. You will thank me later.

How to Store, Freeze, and Reheat

This makes fantastic leftovers. The flavors get even better the next day!

Let it cool completely. Store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.

To freeze, portion it into freezer-safe containers. It will keep for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight.

Reheat it in a pot on the stove with a splash of water or broth. The microwave works too! Just stir it well to get it hot and saucy again.

NUTRITION INFORMATION

• Calories: ~450
• Carbohydrates: 48g
• Protein: 28g
• Fat: 16g
• Saturated Fat: 6g
• Fiber: 5g
• Sugar: 10g

(Note: This is an estimate. Values can change based on your specific ingredients.)

A Quick Q&A on This Recipe

Can I use a different pasta shape?

Absolutely! Shells, rotini, or cavatappi are all amazing. Any shape that can catch that delicious sauce is a winner in my book.

My sauce seems too thick. Help!

No problem! Just stir in a little extra broth or water, a quarter cup at a time, until it’s your perfect saucy consistency. Easy fix!

Is this the same as Hungarian goulash?

Great question! Nope, this is the American version. Ours is a tomato-based pasta dish. Hungarian goulash is a stew with meat and vegetables, often with paprika. Both are incredible!

And there you have it! The ultimate, no-fuss, feed-your-whole-crew dinner. It’s cozy, it’s fast, and it makes everyone at the table happy. If you’re looking for another fantastic one-pot meal, you have to try this Easy One-Pot Chicken Taco Soup next.

This recipe is a true kitchen friend. It’s there for you when you need it most. Now go make a big pot and enjoy every single bite!

I can’t wait to hear how yours turns out! Please leave a comment and a rating below to let me know what you think!