Goulash Recipe Made Simple Homemade Old Fashioned Comfort Meal

Why You’ll Love This easy goulash

• Ease of preparation: This easy goulash recipe is a fast and straightforward solution for busy weeknights or large family meals. With simple steps using common pantry ingredients, it comes together in under an hour, making it perfect for those who want a hearty, comforting dish without complicated cooking techniques.
• Health benefits: Packed with lean ground beef or turkey and nutrient-rich vegetables like onions and bell peppers, this easy goulash offers balanced nutrition. It provides a good source of protein, vitamins, and minerals while controlling fat content by using lean meats. The tomato base adds antioxidants like lycopene, supporting overall health.
• Versatility: This recipe is adaptable for a wide range of dietary needs. Swap ground beef for ground turkey to lower calories, use vegetable broth and omit meat for a vegetarian or vegan twist, or modify seasoning to create gluten-free or low-sodium versions. Its flexibility makes easy goulash suitable for nearly any lifestyle or preference.
• Distinctive flavor: Combining savory tomatoes, Italian herbs, and a splash of Worcestershire sauce, this easy goulash delivers rich, layered flavors. The melted cheddar cheese topping adds creamy depth and a satisfying finish, creating a classic, comforting meal that always feels like home.

Essential Ingredients for easy goulash

Main Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil (or neutral oil) – For sautéing aromatics and beef, adding subtle richness.
• 1 to 1 ¼ cups diced onion (white, yellow, or red) – Builds foundational sweetness and depth.
• 1 green bell pepper, diced (optional) – Adds freshness and mild sweetness.
• 2 pounds lean ground beef (or ground turkey for a lighter option) – Provides protein and hearty texture.
• 2 to 3 teaspoons minced garlic (3 cloves) – Enhances aroma and flavor intensity.
• 2 cans (15 oz each) tomato sauce – Forms the rich, tangy base of the sauce.
• 2 cans petite diced tomatoes (14.5-15 oz each) – Adds texture and bright acidity.
• 3 cups beef broth (or beef stock; vegetable stock for vegetarian version) – Creates a flavorful liquid base to simmer the dish.
• 3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce – Adds umami depth and complexity.
• 2 teaspoons seasoned salt or kosher salt – Balances and enhances all flavors.
• 1 ½ to 2 tablespoons Italian seasoning (blend of dried basil, oregano, rosemary, thyme, marjoram) – Brings classic herbal notes.
• 3 bay leaves (optional) – Infuses subtle aromatic layers.
• 2 cups dry macaroni noodles (elbow macaroni preferred; other small pasta can substitute) – Provides comforting starch base.
• 1 to 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese (freshly shredded recommended) – Adds creamy, melted topping to finish.

Special Dietary Options:

• Vegan: Substitute ground beef with textured vegetable protein (TVP), lentils, or plant-based meat alternatives. Use vegetable broth and omit cheese or replace with vegan cheese for a plant-based version.
• Gluten-free: Ensure beef broth is gluten-free and use gluten-free pasta varieties such as rice or corn-based noodles. Check seasonings and Worcestershire sauce for gluten content or use gluten-free brands.
• Low-calorie: Choose ground turkey over beef and reduce olive oil usage. Use low-sodium broth and moderate the amount of cheese or opt for a lower-fat cheese to keep calories down.

How to Prepare the Perfect easy goulash: Step-by-Step Guide

First Step: Prepare Ingredients

Start by dicing 1 to 1 ¼ cups of onions and 1 green bell pepper (if using). Mince 2 to 3 teaspoons of garlic cloves. Measure out 2 pounds of lean ground beef or your preferred protein substitute, and set aside 2 cups of dry macaroni noodles. Having everything ready simplifies cooking and ensures a smooth process.

Second Step: Brown the Meat and Vegetables

Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the diced onions, bell pepper, and ground beef. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the beef is fully browned and the onions are softened, about 7-10 minutes. Drain any excess fat if desired. This step develops a rich base flavor for your easy goulash.

Third Step: Sauté Aromatics

Add minced garlic to the pot and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant, stirring constantly to avoid burning. Garlic enhances the dish’s depth and aroma.

Fourth Step: Combine Sauces and Broth

Pour in 2 cans of tomato sauce and 2 cans of petite diced tomatoes with juice. Add 3 cups of beef broth and 3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce. Stir to combine fully. This mixture forms the hearty goulash sauce.

Fifth Step: Season the Sauce

Add 2 teaspoons of seasoned salt and 1 ½ to 2 tablespoons of Italian seasoning. Tuck in 3 bay leaves if using. These spices create the characteristic savory and herbal notes that make easy goulash distinct.

Sixth Step: Add Pasta and Simmer

Stir in 2 cups of dry macaroni noodles to the pot. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to a light simmer. Cook uncovered, stirring occasionally, for 20-30 minutes or until pasta is tender. Add additional broth or tomato juice if the sauce thickens too much during cooking.

Seventh Step: Final Touches and Optional Baking

Remove bay leaves. Stir in 1 to 1 ½ cups of shredded cheddar cheese until melted. For an extra cheesy top, transfer the goulash to an oven-safe dish or skillet, sprinkle cheese on top, and bake at 350-375°F for 10-15 minutes until bubbly and golden.

Final Step: Serve

Serve the easy goulash hot, garnished with fresh parsley if desired. This satisfying American classic tastes great on its own or alongside a simple green salad for a complete meal.

Tip: To enrich the flavor further, caramelize tomato paste with the meat before adding liquids. It adds a deep, savory note.

For other comforting, crowd-pleasing meals, check out my High Protein Mac and Cheese recipe that’s just as easy and delicious.

Dietary Substitutions to Customize Your easy goulash

Protein and Main Component Alternatives

• Tempeh or seitan: Excellent plant-based proteins for vegan or vegetarian versions of easy goulash, providing texture and substance.
• Ground turkey or chicken breast: Leaner alternatives to beef that reduce fat and calories without sacrificing protein content.
• Pork: Can be used in place of beef to add a different flavor profile and richness.

Vegetable, Sauce, and Seasoning Modifications

• Substitute or complement green bell pepper with diced zucchini, mushrooms, or carrots for added nutrition and flavor variety.
• Use low-sodium beef or vegetable broth or swap tomato sauce for fresh tomato puree to control salt and preserve freshness.
• Experiment with smoked paprika or chili flakes to tweak spice levels and add smoky warmth to the dish.
• Adjust seasoning blends according to seasonal ingredient availability or personal taste preferences.

Mastering easy goulash: Advanced Tips and Variations

• Pro cooking techniques: Slow-cook easy goulash overnight to develop deeper, melded flavors, or use a pressure cooker to reduce overall cooking time without compromising taste.
• Flavor variations: Add smoked sausage slices or diced hot peppers for a spicy kick or stir in a few spoonfuls of sour cream at the end for a creamy texture.
• Presentation tips: Serve over buttered egg noodles, creamy mashed potatoes, or with crusty bread. Garnish with fresh parsley or chives to brighten appearance and flavor.
• Make-ahead options: Prepare the easy goulash a day before serving to let flavors meld perfectly. Store in airtight containers and reheat gently over medium heat to maintain texture and moisture.

How to Store easy goulash: Best Practices

FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions About easy goulash

easy goulash

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🍲 This easy goulash is the perfect comfort food for family gatherings, impressively serving up to 10 people with its rich flavors.
🥣 It’s a budget-friendly meal that fits perfectly into busy schedules, ready to satisfy cravings for homestyle cooking.

• Total Time: 60 minutes
• Yield: 10 servings

Ingredients

– 1 tablespoon olive oil for sautéing aromatics and beef

– 1 to 1 ¼ cups diced onion

– 1 green bell pepper, diced

– 2 pounds lean ground beef

– 2 to 3 teaspoons minced garlic

– 2 cans tomato sauce

– 2 cans petite diced tomatoes

– 3 cups beef broth

– 3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce

– 2 teaspoons seasoned salt or kosher salt

– 1 ½ to 2 tablespoons Italian seasoning

– 3 bay leaves

– 2 cups dry macaroni noodles

– 1 to 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese

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Instructions

First Step: Prepare Ingredients Start by dicing 1 to 1 ¼ cups of onions and 1 green bell pepper (if using). Mince 2 to 3 teaspoons of garlic cloves. Measure out 2 pounds of lean ground beef or your preferred protein substitute, and set aside 2 cups of dry macaroni noodles. Having everything ready simplifies cooking and ensures a smooth process.

Second Step: Brown the Meat and Vegetables Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the diced onions, bell pepper, and ground beef. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the beef is fully browned and the onions are softened, about 7-10 minutes. Drain any excess fat if desired. This step develops a rich base flavor for your easy goulash.

Third Step: Sauté Aromatics Add minced garlic to the pot and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant, stirring constantly to avoid burning. Garlic enhances the dish’s depth and aroma.

Fourth Step: Combine Sauces and Broth Pour in 2 cans of tomato sauce and 2 cans of petite diced tomatoes with juice. Add 3 cups of beef broth and 3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce. Stir to combine fully. This mixture forms the hearty goulash sauce.

Fifth Step: Season the Sauce Add 2 teaspoons of seasoned salt and 1 ½ to 2 tablespoons of Italian seasoning. Tuck in 3 bay leaves if using. These spices create the characteristic savory and herbal notes that make easy goulash distinct.

Sixth Step: Add Pasta and Simmer Stir in 2 cups of dry macaroni noodles to the pot. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to a light simmer. Cook uncovered, stirring occasionally, for 20-30 minutes or until pasta is tender. Add additional broth or tomato juice if the sauce thickens too much during cooking.

Seventh Step: Final Touches and Optional Baking Remove bay leaves. Stir in 1 to 1 ½ cups of shredded cheddar cheese until melted. For an extra cheesy top, transfer the goulash to an oven-safe dish or skillet, sprinkle cheese on top, and bake at 350-375°F for 10-15 minutes until bubbly and golden.

Final Step: Serve Serve the easy goulash hot, garnished with fresh parsley if desired. This satisfying American classic tastes great on its own or alongside a simple green salad for a complete meal.

Last Step:

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Notes

🍲 Use a large pot or oven-safe skillet for easy cooking and baking.
🦃 Substitute ground beef for ground turkey or omit meat for a vegetarian option using vegetable stock.
🌽 Add extra vegetables like corn, peas, carrots, green beans, or spinach for more nutrition.

• Author: Brandi Oshea
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Optional Baking Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Stovetop and Baking
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Traditional

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1/10 of recipe
• Calories: 500
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 1100 mg
• Fat: 26 g
• Saturated Fat: 11 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 40 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 28 g
• Cholesterol: 85 mg