Easy Goulash Recipe

5 from 5 votes

Easy Goulash is a cozy one-pot pasta dinner made with ground beef, tomato paste, diced tomatoes, broth, and elbow macaroni. This version is rich, simple, and family-friendly, with tomato paste adding extra depth and a thicker, heartier sauce. A family favorite!

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 30

Servings

Calories 450kcal

Author Jennifer

Equipment

1 large pot or Dutch oven

Ingredients

1 pound 85/15 ground beef
1 medium yellow onion diced
2 cloves garlic minced
1 14.5-ounce can petite diced tomatoes, undrained
1 8-ounce can tomato sauce
3 tablespoons tomato paste
1¼ cups beef broth
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon salt or to taste
½ teaspoon black pepper
1 cup elbow macaroni uncooked
fresh parsley for garnish (optional)

Instructions

Brown the beef and onions
In a large pot or Dutch oven, cook the ground beef and onion over medium-high heat until the beef is browned and the onion has softened, about 6–8 minutes. If there is an excessive amount of grease, drain some off, but leave a little behind for flavor.
1 pound 85/15 ground beef, 1 medium yellow onion
Add the garlic
Stir in the garlic and cook for 30 seconds, just until fragrant.
2 cloves garlic
Build the sauce
Add the tomato paste and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Stir in the diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, paprika, oregano, salt, and pepper.
1 14.5-ounce can petite diced tomatoes, undrained, 1 8-ounce can tomato sauce, 3 tablespoons tomato paste, 1¼ cups beef broth, 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce, 1 teaspoon paprika, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, 1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper
Simmer
Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 10 minutes. This gives the tomato paste time to dissolve and develop a richer flavor.
Cook the macaroni
Stir in the uncooked macaroni. Cover and simmer for 10–12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is tender and has absorbed much of the sauce.
1 cup elbow macaroni
Rest and serve
Remove from the heat and let the goulash rest for 5 minutes. The sauce will thicken slightly as it sits. Add fresh parsley, if desired, and serve warm.
fresh parsley

Notes

If the goulash becomes thicker than you'd like while the pasta cooks, add a splash of beef broth or water.
If you enjoy a little heat, add ¼ to ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes along with the seasonings.

Nutrition