• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Bless this Mess
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner
  • Sides
  • Desserts
  • Snacks
  • Holidays
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Start Here
  • All Recipes
  • Recipe Filter
  • Cookbooks!
  • Our Story
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • Start Here
    • All Recipes
    • Recipe Filter
    • Cookbooks!
    • Our Story
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Bless This Mess > Recipes > Easy Dinners > One Pot Meals

    Classic Goulash

    Published: Nov 2, 2022 · Modified: Nov 2, 2022 by Melissa · Leave a Comment

    • Share
    • Tweet
    • Mail
    Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe
    pin that reads "The Best Goulash" with two images of the red sauce and elbow pasta soup with ground beef
    pin that reads "Goulash Recipe" with two images of the red sauce and elbow pasta soup with ground beef
    pin that reads "quick and easy Goulash" with two images of the red sauce and elbow pasta soup with ground beef
    pin that reads "Simple and Delicious Goulash" with two images of the red sauce and elbow pasta soup with ground beef

    Classic Goulash is a one pot recipe that is family friendly and great for a busy weeknight meal. It is affordable, feeds a crowd and everyone enjoys it. 

    If you aren’t familiar with goulash it is basically a concoction of ground beef, bell pepper, onion and pasta that is cooked in a tomato based sauce.Throw in some cheese at the end and you’re done in just about 30 minutes.

    top view of two bowls of goulash and the whole pot next to it

    Classic Goulash

    To make this goulash recipe I use a big ol’ pot. It makes a substantial amount so you will need the extra room. I love to serve this when I am having guests over and especially during colder months. There are no fancy ingredients and it is so quick to make. 

    You can make this goulash leaner by using ground turkey in the place of ground beef if you’d like. This recipe is also really forgiving if you want to add in extra vegetables like corn, green beans or carrots. 

    The consistency of goulash is thicker than soup-more like a pasta stew. I like it that way but if you prefer more of a thinner soup then you can add in some beef broth to thin it out more. 

    a pot of goulash which is red sauce and elbow pasta like soup with ground beef and a wooden spoon

    Ingredients

    • Ground pork sausage: this is the star of the show, use what you like or have on hand it's ok if you want to sub part of it for ground beef, both work great
    • Onion and garlic: these add lots of flavor, you cook them up with the meat
    • Crushed tomatoes and petite diced tomatoes: I love that this recipes uses canned tomatoes because they are always in my pantry
    • Beef broth: this is the cooking broth for your noodles
    • Italian seasoning: I love this seasoning blend, so many flavors in one mix
    • Macaroni noodles: you can use any small pasta that you like, macaroni is a classic
    • Cheddar cheese: this is mixed in and melted in the dish, you can use a variety of cheeses or what you like

    Recipe Instructions

    1. Cook up the meat and the onions.
    2. Add the garlic, tomatoes, spices, and broth the the pan.
    3. Add the noodles and cook until the noodles are cooked though.
    4. When the noodles are cooked, stir in the cheese.
    5. SO easy! Serve hot and enjoy. So hearty and easy!
    close up of two bowls of goulash with a pot in the background

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Do you have to drain the fat from ground beef?

    Most of the time I drain the fat from the ground beef. If you are using a 90/10 ground beef you don’t need to but in general it will make the dish healthier as well as less oily from the extra grease.

    What type of pasta is best for goulash?

    Macaroni noodles are the most commonly used but you have use any smaller shaped pasta like orzo or ditalini.

    Where did goulash originate from?

    Where did goulash originate from?
    Goulash originated in Hungary. However this version of goulash is American or also known as American Chop Suey. It came to American via immigrants because it was affordable and fed lots of people.

    What food goes well with goulash?

    I like to serve a loaf of bread or a simple green salad with goulash. Not much else is needed because you have protein, fat and carbs.

    a pot of goulash which is red sauce and elbow pasta like soup with ground beef and a wooden spoon

    More Recipes

    • Crock Pot Vegetable Beef Soup
    • Classic Minestrone Soup 
    • One Pot Cheesy Sausage Pasta
    • Simple Cream of Tomato Soup
    • Old Fashioned Chicken and Dumplings Soup

    If you’ve tried this Classic Goulash Recipe or any other recipe on Bless this Mess, then don’t forget to rate the recipe and leave me a comment below! I would love to hear about your experience making it. And if you snapped some pictures of it, share it with me on Instagram so I can repost on my stories.

    Print
    clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
    top view of two bowls of goulash and the whole pot next to it

    Classic Goulash


    • Author: Melissa Griffiths-Bless This Mess
    • Total Time: 40 minutes
    • Yield: Serves 8
    Print Recipe
    Pin Recipe

    Description

    Goulash is a one pot recipe that is family friendly and great for a weeknight meal. It's made with sausage, pasta, tomatoes, and more!


    Ingredients

    Scale
    • 2 pounds ground pork sausage
    • 1 cup onion, diced
    • 1 tablespoon garlic, minced
    • 1 large can crushed tomatoes (28 ounces)
    • 2 cans petite diced tomatoes (15 ounces each)
    • 3 cups beef broth
    • 2 tablespoons Italian seasoning
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • 2 cups  macaroni noodles, uncooked
    • 2 cup cheddar cheese, shredded (8 ounces)
    • Additional salt and pepper to taste

    Instructions

    1. In a large skillet or pot with a lid, add the sausage and cook over medium to medium high heat until for a few minutes. 
    2. Add a the onion and cook with the sausage until the sausage and the onion are cooked through, an additional 5 minutes or so.
    3. Add the garlic to the pan and cook just until fragrant. 
    4. Add the crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, and beef broth and stir to combine.
    5. Add the Italian seasoning, salt, and macaroni noodle and stir to combine. 
    6. Bring the mixture to a gently boil over medium heat. 
    7. Cover and let cook, stirring occasionally, until the noodle are cooked, about 20 minutes.
    8. Remove the lid, remove from the heat, and stir in the cheese until melted.
    9. Adjust the salt and pepper to taste.
    10. Serve right away with additional cheese on top if you'd like. 
    11. Store leftovers tightly covered in the fridge for up to 5 days.

    Notes

    • You can add some more veggies to this dish if you'd like. You can add bell peppers, zucchini, or whatever else you'd like. I just add them when I add my onion to the pot.
    • You can switch out the cheese for whatever you like or have on hand.
    • You can use whatever ground sausage that you like or have on hand. It works great with Jimmy Dean's sausage, you can use sausage that comes in links and remove the casing (hot Italian sausage is great in it). I just think it's best with a sausage that is ground. You can also use ground beef or part ground beef and part sausage.
    • Prep Time: 20 min
    • Cook Time: 20 min
    • Category: main dish
    • Method: stove top
    • Cuisine: American

    Keywords: goulash recipe, goulash, how to make goulash, American goulash recipe, American goulash

    Did you make this recipe?

    Tag @blessthismessblog on Instagram and hashtag it #blessthismess

    pin that reads "The Best Goulash" with two images of the red sauce and elbow pasta soup with ground beef

    Goulash is a hearty dish that features ground beef and tender noodles in a savory tomato sauce. It tastes delicious and makes for easy clean up because you only use one pot.

    « Homemade Biscuits and Gravy
    Stove Top Cheddar Broccoli Soup  »
    • Share
    • Tweet
    • Mail
    Craving More

    Take the hassle out of meal planning with: Dinner Made Easy, a FREE 1 week meal plan with full shopping list, easy dinners, nutrition information, serving suggestions for each meal, and more!

    Subscribe Now
    about me

    About Melissa

    Melissa is dedicated to helping parents figure out the nightly questions, "What's for Dinner?!" with her no-fuss approach to cooking. Read more...

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe rating ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆
    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    I’M MELISSA, AND I WANT TO HELP YOU FEED YOUR FAMILY WHOLESOME FOOD.

    As a hobby farmer and mom of five, I’m all about keeping it simple in the kitchen. I want healthy meals that feed my family well, and then I want to get back to my (messy) life. Let’s work together to find something yummy for your dinner table.

    More about me →

    Popular

    • bowl of hummus with red spice on top
      How to Make Hummus
    • close up of a slice of french silk pie
      French Silk Pie
    • top view of a sliced loaf of cinnamon bread sliced half way
      Cinnamon Babka
    • slow cooker and a ladle with taco soup
      Slow Cooker Taco Soup
    Dinner Made Easy

    Get Recipes & More for Free!

    Get my FREE Dinner Made Easy meal plan, exclusive recipes, giveaways, and behind-the-scenes updates! Get my newsletter or a new recipe every day! Unsubscribe if you aren’t into it.

    Subscribe Now

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    SEEN ON

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Privacy Tools.
    • Terms Of Service.
    • Accessibility.
    • Bylaws.

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact
    • About Us
    • Cookbook FAQ
    • Find A Recipe!

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2022 blessthismessplease.com. All rights reserved.

    • Facebook
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter