This easy One Pot American Goulash is beefy, saucy, and packed with tomatoes and macaroni. This recipe is super easy for busy weeknights with just 4 steps. American Beef Goulash is also known as American Chop Suey.
Why I love this recipe
There is no need to precook the pasta and it’s ready in just 40 minutes. This one-pot meal makes a great lunch, dinner, or date night dinner for two.
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Substitutions and Additions
You can substitute the beef with ground chicken or ground turkey.
Try adding diced red bell peppers and green bell peppers during step 1.
You can use 1 clove of fresh dice garlic instead of minced garlic from a jar.
Add some red pepper flakes for extra flavor if you like spicy food.
Equipment used for this recipe
How to make classic American Goulash
Step 1 – In a medium saucepan, cook onion and ground beef over medium heat until no longer pink. (If you’re using fresh diced garlic, add it at the same time as the onion.) Drain the grease using a colander.
Step 2 – Add garlic (if using jarred minced garlic), diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, sugar, water, Italian seasoning, seasoned salt, black pepper, and elbow macaroni to the hamburger meat. Give it a good stir and bring it to a boil.
Step 3 – Reduce to medium-low heat, cover the pan, and simmer for 25-30 minutes or until pasta is cooked through.
Step 4 – Remove from heat and serve immediately!
Pro Tips
Store leftovers in an airtight container for 3-4 days in the fridge.
Recipe FAQs
We love to serve this hearty meal with sides of roasted vegetables or a side salad, and some garlic bread or dinner rolls.
You may also enjoy
- Ramen Beef and Broccoli
- Beef Roast with Vegetables
- Ground Beef Stroganoff
- Cheesy Spaghetti Bake
- Authentic Homemade Spaghetti Sauce
One Pot American Goulash
Equipment
Ingredients
- ½ pound ground beef
- ½ yellow onion (diced)
- 1 teaspoon jarred minced garlic
- 15- ounce can of diced tomatoes (un-drained)
- 8- ounce can of tomato sauce
- 2 teaspoons sugar
- ¾ cup water
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon seasoned salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¾ cup elbow macaroni noodles (uncooked)
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, cook onion and ground beef over medium heat until no longer pink. (If you’re using fresh diced garlic, add it at the same time as the onion.) Drain the excess grease using a colander.
- Add garlic (if using jarred minced garlic), diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, sugar, water, Italian seasoning, seasoned salt, black pepper, and elbow macaroni to the pan. Mix well and bring to a boil.
- Reduce to medium-low heat, cover the pan, and simmer for 25-30 minutes or until pasta is cooked through.
- Remove from heat and serve immediately!
Notes
- You can substitute the beef with ground chicken or ground turkey.
- Try adding diced green peppers during step 1.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container for 4-5 days in the fridge.
Nutrition
Hi and welcome. I’m Zona and I have a passion for recipes. I share recipes, tips, tricks, and resources to help you cook for two. Eat, drink, and enjoy!
Arlene
Monday 1st of May 2023
This is delicious and easy. I had a busy day ahead of me so I made it minus the macaroni and stuck it in the refrigerator. Came home, heated it up in a saucepan and then added the macaroni. Dinner was done super quick. I also got three servings out of this which great for me. Stretching meat is something I like. Definitely will make again.
Cheryl Good
Saturday 15th of April 2023
This is so easy and tasty! My 19year old son loved it! I’ve been making a baked rotini spaghetti type dish, but cook the sauce, cook the noodles, mix it, add all the cheeses and bake. Forget about it! This one dish meal is the bomb👍 I use beef broth and a little better than boullion, and this time I cleared out the fridge with leftover sloppy joe, and burrito meat and added 1/2 pound of straight up ground beef and 1 leftover corn off the cob for tonight. Thank you for making my life easier 👏💯
Zona
Saturday 15th of April 2023
Hi Cheryl, so glad you love it so much, thanks!
Carol
Sunday 19th of June 2022
Turned out well! I added shredded cheddar, and will omit the sugar next time. Thank you!
Betty Duncan
Monday 22nd of November 2021
Yum! This is flat-out delicious. I didn't use ground beef but a chopped chicken breast that needed to be used. Our appetites are small, so I have enough left over for a couple of lunches. You can be sure that I'll make this again [but will use ground beef].
Zona
Tuesday 23rd of November 2021
Hi Betty, chicken sounds delicious too! So glad you enjoyed this goulash, thanks for the comment :)
Linda Carole
Monday 29th of June 2020
This is Very good one pot meal Loved it