There are a lot of names for this recipe - American Chop Suey, Old Fashion Goulash, and American Goulash Recipe to name a few. It doesn't matter which of these different names you call it because it's classic American comfort food the whole family will love!
Jump to:
With hearty ground beef, elbow macaroni noodles, and a few other simple ingredients, this is one of my go-to recipes when I need an easy weeknight dinner.
❤️ Why You'll Love This Recipe
- You only need few pantry staples and a couple items from the fridge.
- Ready in just 45 minutes, this easy goulash recipe is perfect for busy weeknights.
- The entire family will love this flavorful and hearty meal.
🧂 Ingredients
- elbow macaroni
- ground beef
- onion
- green bell pepper
- fresh garlic
- Worcestershire sauce
- tomato sauce (homemade or store-bought)
- petite diced tomatoes
- store-bought or Homemade Italian Seasoning
- shredded cheese - I like cheddar but you can also use mozzarella cheese.
- salt and black pepper
This is meant to be a brief overview of the American Goulash Recipe. For step-by-step instructions and a full printable recipe card with ingredients, please scroll down to the teal box below or Jump to Recipe.
🔪 Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350-degrees F.
- Cook the macaroni noodles according to the package and drain once they are al dente.
- In a large oven-safe skillet or large Dutch oven, cook the diced onions and bell peppers until tender.
- Next, add the ground beef and Worcestershire sauce to the skillet and brown the beef.
- Add the minced garlic cloves and cook 1-2 minutes more.
- Mix in the tomato sauce and diced tomatoes, along with the salt, pepper and Italian Seasoning mix.
- Fold the macaroni into the meat mixture.
- Then, top with shredded cheese.
- Bake until golden brown and bubbly.
🥄Equipment
The following are affiliate links. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
Here is what you will need to make this easy pasta recipe:
- Large stock pot and Colander
- Large Skillet OR Dutch Oven - 6 quart
- Wooden Spoon
Be sure to check out my Juggling Act Mama Storefront on Amazon where you'll find all kinds of great products to make your life easier! Thanks so much for being a part of Juggling Act Mama ❤
💭 Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some questions (and answers!) readers often ask about this old fashioned goulash recipe.
Hungarian goulash, like the American version, has many variations. It always starts with beef, onions, and lots of paprika, along with vegetables.
The Hungarian version is a stew or a soup that often uses stew meat. However, the American classic always has macaroni pasta and most often uses ground beef.
⭐ Tips
✔️ Take care not to overcook the pasta as it will continue to cook a little bit in the oven.
✔️ Taste the tomato and ground meat mixture before you add the pasta. If it is very acidic, add a little sugar - about a tablespoon. That will help neutralize the acidity of the tomatoes.
🍲 Storage
To Store: Leftover goulash should be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. (These are my favorite airtight containers.)
To Reheat: Reheat individual portions in the microwave.
To Freeze: This is one of those dinner recipes that's perfect for the freezer. Allow the casserole to cool completely then cover it with plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Then, slide the whole casserole into a 2-gallon freezer bag. Don't forget to label it!
To Thaw: Remove from the freezer and allow your goulash to thaw overnight in the fridge.
✏️ Make Ahead
American beef goulash can be made 1-2 days ahead and stored in the fridge.
📖 Variations
The first time you try any new recipe we recommend that you make it just as it is written on the recipe card since that is how the recipe has been tested. However, the next time you make our easy American goulash recipe, you might want to try one of these ideas:
- You can also use yellow, orange, or red bell pepper if you like.
- Substitute the ground beef for ground turkey, ground chicken, or even ground sausage. And, if you have leftover beef or chicken meatballs on hand, chop them up and use them instead.
- For a little kick, add a pinch or two of red pepper flakes.
- Use whatever your favorite marinara sauce or spaghetti sauce - whatever you have on hand.
- If the mixture seems too dry, add a little bit more sauce or a splash of beef broth.
Slow Cooker Method
Sometimes I make this with stew meat in place of ground beef (especial if it's on sale). In that case, I like to cook the meat in the tomato sauce in the slow cooker. Here's how:
- Cook the onions and peppers until tender and add them to the crockpot.
- Sear the stew meat, then add it to the crockpot.
- Top with tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, 1 cup of water, and 1 tablespoon of tomato paste.
- Add in the Italian seasoning and 1-2 bay leaves.
- Set on LOW for 6 hours or HIGH for 3 hours.
- When the meat is tender, mix in cooked elbow pasta and serve hot.
🍴 Serving Suggestions
I like to serve this with a bit of parmesan cheese on top. For me, every pasta dish needs some Easy Italian Bread Sticks, or your favorite crusty bread! Add an easy side salad and you're good to go.
Related: Find more delicious pasta recipes here.
😋 Similar Recipes
Next time, try one of these delicious recipes:
- Italian Sausage Pasta with Blistered Tomatoes
- Pasta with Sausage and Broccolini
- Easy Eggplant Parmesan + Pasta
- Chicken Caesar Pasta
- Shepherd's Pie with Tater Tots
- Cheesy Big Mac Casserole
Related: Italian Meatball Recipe
Not ready to make this old fashion goulash yet?
When you do make it, please come back and comment and leave me a 5 star rating below! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Old Fashion American Goulash
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Equipment
- Large stock pot
- Colander
Ingredients
- 1 lb elbow macaroni
- 2 lbs ground beef
- 1 medium onion diced
- 1 medium green bell pepper diced
- 3 cloves fresh garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 15 oz cans tomato sauce
- 2 15 oz cans petite diced tomatoes
- 1½ tablespoons store-bought or Homemade Italian Seasoning
- 1 cup shredded cheese such as mozzarella or cheddar
- salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350-degrees F.
- Cook the macaroni noodles according to the package and drain once they are al dente.
- In a large oven-safe skillet or Dutch oven, cook the diced onions and green peppers in about a tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat until tender.
- Next, add the ground beef and Worcestershire sauce to the skillet and brown the beef.
- Add the minced garlic cloves and cook 1-2 minutes more.
- Mix in the tomato sauce and diced tomatoes, along with the salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning mix.
- Fold the macaroni into the meat mixture.
- Then, top with shredded cheese.
- Bake until golden brown and bubbly.
Notes
Slow Cooker Method
Sometimes I make this with stew meat in place of ground beef (especial if it's on sale). In that case, I like to cook the meat in the tomato sauce in the slow cooker. Here's how:
- Cook the onions and peppers until tender and add them to the crockpot.
- Sear the stew meat, then add it to the crockpot.
- Top with tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, 1 cup of water, and 1 tablespoon of tomato paste.
- Add in the Italian seasoning and at least 1 bay leaf.
- Set on LOW for 6 hours or HIGH for 3 hours.
- When the meat is tender, mix in cooked elbow pasta and serve hot.
For best results, be sure to check our Tips and FAQs above with important tips and questions that can help your delicious recipe come out perfectly.
Sign up for our emails and never miss another recipe!!
We'll never share your email or send you spam.
We'll never share your email or send you spam.More Recipes You'll Love
This recipe is part of meal plan 9 along with chicken spaghetti, meatball calzones, and honey garlic chicken.
Leave a Reply