Old Fashioned Goulash is a hearty one-pot dinner made with ground beef, elbow macaroni, tomatoes, and plenty of melted cheese. Everything cooks together in one pot for an easy comfort food dinner with minimal cleanup.
This is the kind of simple dinner I grew up with. It’s warm, filling, and perfect when you want an easy meal that feeds the whole family. 💙
Why I Love This Recipe
About the Ingredients ⭐
- Ground Beef: Use lean ground beef for a hearty base.
- Onion & Garlic: Add flavor as the beef cooks.
- Tomatoes: Diced and crushed tomatoes create the rich tomato sauce.
- Red Wine: Adds depth and richness to the sauce.
- Italian Seasoning: Seasons the beef and tomato mixture.
- Elbow Macaroni: Cooks right in the pot with the sauce.
- Cheese: Cheddar and mozzarella make the goulash cheesy and creamy.
Be sure to check out the full recipe and ingredient list below
How to Make One Pot Goulash
Cook the Beef: Heat the olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and cook until fragrant. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it apart as it cooks.
Add the Sauce: Stir in the diced tomatoes, crushed tomatoes, Italian seasoning, and red wine.
Add the Pasta: Stir in the uncooked elbow macaroni and water. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low.
Simmer: Cover and simmer for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is tender.
Add the Cheese: Stir in the cheddar and mozzarella until melted and creamy. Serve warm.
Tips I Found Helpful 💙
- Use a large pot: A Dutch oven gives everything plenty of room to cook.
- Don’t drain the tomatoes: The liquid helps cook the pasta.
- Stir occasionally: This helps keep the pasta from sticking to the bottom.
- Check the pasta: Start checking before the full 30 minutes since pasta cooking times can vary.
Questions Readers Ask Most
Can I make goulash without red wine?
Yes. Replace the red wine with beef broth if you prefer not to cook with wine.
Can I use another type of pasta?
Yes. Another small pasta shape will work, but cooking time and the amount of liquid needed may vary.
Storage
Store leftover goulash in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave or warm them on the stovetop.
You can also freeze the cooled goulash in a freezer-safe container. Keep in mind that the pasta may soften slightly after freezing and reheating.
More Pasta Recipes I Love
Grandma's Old Fashioned One Pot Goulash
Old Fashioned Goulash is an easy one-pot dinner with ground beef, elbow macaroni, tomatoes, and melted cheese.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- ½ cup red wine
- 2 cups elbow macaroni, uncooked
- 2 cups water
- 4 ounces cheddar cheese, shredded
- 4 ounces mozzarella cheese, shredded
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium heat.
- Add the onion and garlic and cook until fragrant.
- Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it apart as it cooks.
- Stir in the diced tomatoes, crushed tomatoes, Italian seasoning, and red wine.
- Add the uncooked elbow macaroni and water. Stir to combine.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low.
- Cover and simmer for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is tender.
- Stir in the cheddar and mozzarella cheese until melted.
- Serve warm.
Notes
Stir the goulash occasionally while it simmers to keep the pasta from sticking to the bottom of the pot.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield:
8Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 509Total Fat: 21gSaturated Fat: 9gUnsaturated Fat: 12gCholesterol: 76mgSodium: 293mgCarbohydrates: 52gFiber: 10gSugar: 4gProtein: 31g
I love this one pot goulash. It’s easy to make. Most of these things I already have in my cupboard. I can make this and just use it for lunch or dinner throughout the week or just freeze it. There’s nothing like homemade food when you don’t feel well or are tired. You pop it out of the freezer and just heat it up. I appreciate the video showing us how to make it. Can’t wait to try this delicious recipe! Shalom
I absolutely love this goulash recipe! It reminds me of my childhood and my grandma’s cooking. The one-pot approach is so convenient for busy nights, and the flavors sound incredible. Can’t wait to try this out! Thank you for sharing!