Description
Easy One-Pot Cheesy American Goulash is a hearty, comforting pasta dish with ground beef and rich tomato sauce—simple, filling, and family-approved!
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables & Aromatics
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 cup diced onion
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 3 tsp minced garlic
Protein
- 2 lbs lean ground beef
Tomato Base
- 30 oz tomato sauce (two 15 oz cans)
- 30 oz petite diced tomatoes (two 15 oz cans)
Liquids & Seasonings
- 3 cups beef broth
- 3 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tsp seasoned salt
- 2 tbsp Italian seasoning
- 3 bay leaves
Pasta & Cheese
- 2 cups uncooked macaroni noodles
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Sauté the aromatics and beef: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the diced onion, green bell pepper, and ground beef. Cook, breaking up the beef as it browns, until the vegetables are softened and the meat is browned and crumbled. Drain off any excess fat from the pot.
- Add garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds, until fragrant but not browned.
- Combine liquids and pasta: Pour in the tomato sauce, diced tomatoes with their juices, beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, seasoned salt, Italian seasoning, and bay leaves. Stir in the uncooked macaroni noodles, ensuring they’re well submerged. Turn up the heat to bring the mixture to a gentle boil.
- Simmer the goulash: Reduce heat to a low simmer and cook uncovered, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking, for about 20 minutes. The pasta should be tender and the sauce slightly thickened.
- Finish & serve: Remove the bay leaves. Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese until it melts and the goulash becomes creamy and cheesy. Serve hot and enjoy!
Notes
- Swap ground beef with ground turkey or chicken for a lighter option.
- Use elbow macaroni or any small pasta shape you prefer.
- Garnish with fresh parsley or extra cheese for added flavor.
- This dish makes excellent leftovers—refrigerate up to 4 days or freeze up to a month.
- Add more vegetables like carrots or mushrooms for extra nutrition.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main-course
- Method: One Pot & One Pan
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1 1/2 cups)
- Calories: 388
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 970mg
- Fat: 13g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 79mg