Slow Cooker Goulash

Slow Cooker Goulash is the perfect easy and economical family meal.  It’s simple to make, flavorful, hearty, and a deliciously filling meal!  You and your family are going to love this crockpot goulash recipe!

This post has been updated since its original publish date in February 2022.

Jump to:

• Easy Goulash Recipe
• What is Goulash?
• The difference between Hungarian and American Goulash:
• Why you'll love this Slow Cooker Goulash Recipe?
• Ingredients
• How to Make Goulash
• Storing, Reheating, and Freezing
• Here are some ideas for some interesting variations for this Slow Cooker Goulash:
• FAQ'S
• Slow Cooker Goulash

Easy Goulash Recipe

Have you had Goulash?  My mom made it all the time when I was a kid.  It was always a delicious and favorite meal for the whole family.

And what I didn’t know back then was that it’s a super budget-friendly recipe and so easy to pull together.

Filled with pasta, ground beef, Italian seasonings, parmesan cheese, and tomato flavors it’s truly the perfect way to feed any crowd on a budget!

If you’re looking for more economical and easy weeknight family dinners here are a few more you should check out:

• Chicken Penne Pasta with Vodka Sauce
• One-Pot Cheeseburger Macaroni
• Million Dollar Spaghetti
• Easy Homemade Chicken Pot Pie
• Cottage Beef Pot Pie
• Crockpot BBQ Chicken Pasta

I should tell you that American Goulash is not the same thing as goulash in other parts of the world.  Like many dishes that have the same name, the ingredients and preparation are different.

What is Goulash?

Goulash originated in medieval Hungary, where it was prepared by herdsmen—so you know it’s definitely hearty and filling.  

The difference between Hungarian and American Goulash:

Hungarian Goulash is a robust beef and onion soup seasoned with Hungarian paprika sometimes including potatoes and carrots but most of the time without vegetables.

American Goulash is hearty Italian goodness.  It’s a simple dish with ground beef, elbow macaroni, and a tomato-based sauce with herbs and cheese for amazing flavor.  It’s classic American comfort food that everyone should experience.

My Slow Cooker Goulash version is simple but full of rich flavor since it cooks low and slow in the crockpot.  With onions, garlic, tomatoes, Italian seasoning, beef, and the pasta actually gets cooked right in the crockpot, so it’s infused with all that tomato and beefy broth flavors.

Add some grated parmesan cheese and parsley at the end and take this meal over the top - yummy!

Why you'll love this Slow Cooker Goulash Recipe?

• It's budget-friendly. My crockpot goulash recipe uses affordable and basic ingredients I always have on hand.
• It's easy to throw together when you need to hit the easy button.
• It's great for busy weeknights, but also perfect for potlucks and parties because its hands-free cooking makes a ton.
•  Everyone will love it! This meal is a great way to feed your hungry guy or growing teenagers.

Ingredients

• Lean ground beef – I prefer to use lean ground beef so there’s no need to drain after browning.
• Onions and Garlic — These aromatics add incredible flavor and depth to this dish.
• Worcestershire sauce – I use Lea & Perrins brand, which is gluten-free.
• Garlic Powder and Onion Powder - These add even more rich flavor to the goulash.
• Salt and Pepper - Use the specified portion or season to taste.
• Beef broth – Beef broth adds a rich flavor to the sauce. You can use chicken broth in its place. Especially if you have some in the fridge, open and ready to use.
• Tomato Sauce – Use the version that comes in a can, vs jarred spaghetti sauce.
• Crushed and Petite Diced Tomatoes – This adds some texture and fresh tomato flavor to the sauce.
• Italian seasoning – This is one of the big differences between American goulash and Hungarian goulash. Instead of paprika, the American version uses Italian seasoning which includes oregano, basil, and dried parsley.
• Bay leaf – This adds another layer of herbaceous flavor to the goulash.
• Elbow noodles – Elbow noodles are the traditional pasta used in this American goulash. But you can change it up and use whatever pasta you have available.
• Parmesan Cheese - Grated parmesan cheese adds a creaminess to this dish.
• Fresh Parsley - This gives the goulash a fresh and bright flavor that balances out all the savory flavors.
• Sugar - This is optional but I find it adds a hint of sweetness and counter-balances the acid in the tomatoes.

How to Make Goulash

Turn on your slow cooker to high or low.  Depending on which setting you are using.

Remove the bay leaves and stir in parmesan cheese.

Serve immediately so that the pasta does not get soft and mushy.

NOTE: If you’re not eating all of the goulash for dinner put it into storage containers and into the fridge ASAP so it doesn't continue to cook the pasta and make it too soft.

Storing, Reheating, and Freezing

Storing: After cooking, let your slow cooker goulash cool down to room temperature. Once cooled, transfer it to an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh for up to 4-5 days.

Reheating:
When you're ready to enjoy your goulash again, you can reheat it on the stovetop or in the microwave. If using the stovetop, place the goulash in a saucepan over medium heat, and add some beef stock if needed, stirring occasionally until heated through.

For the microwave, place a portion in a microwave-safe dish, cover it with a lid or microwave-safe wrap, and heat on high for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through.

Freezing: To freeze your slow cooker goulash, let it cool completely. Place it into freezer-safe containers or freezer bags. Leave some space at the top of the container, as the goulash will expand slightly when frozen. Label and date the containers before placing them in the freezer. Frozen goulash can be stored for up to 3 months.

Thawing: When you're ready to eat your frozen goulash, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight. Once thawed, you can reheat it following the same steps as above. If you're in a hurry, you can reheat it from frozen on the stovetop over low heat, adding a little water or beef broth to help loosen it up as it heats.

Here are some ideas for some interesting variations for this Slow Cooker Goulash:

• To make this an even leaner meal, you can use ground turkey or ground chicken in place of ground beef.
• Try adding in extra veggies like corn, peas, diced carrots, green beans or even stirring in kale or baby spinach at the end!
• Mix in a cup of sour cream or 4 ounces of cream cheese at the end to give this recipe a creamier texture.
• Turn this traditional goulash recipe into BBQ goulash! It's the same idea as bbq pizza just with pasta. Swap out 7-10 ounces of the toamto sauce for your favorite BBQ sauce.

FAQ'S

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• Can I Substitute Something else for the Ground Beef in this Goulash Recipe? If you’re looking for an alternative to ground beef for this slow cooker goulash recipe you can use ground turkey, ground chicken, or ground pork instead. The cooking time might change slightly when you’re browning the meat, but they all work as good substitutes for ground beef.
• Can I use other pasta for this Crockpot Goulash Recipe other than Elbow Macaroni? Yes – for sure.   Any short pasta shape will work just fine, including penne, rotini, or farfalle. Keep in mind that different pasta shapes will have different cook times, so check the box they come in for the manufacturer’s recommendations and taste as you go to ensure your pasta is perfectly al dente.
• Can I use a different type of cheese besides Parmesan for this Crockpot Goulash Recipe? The answer is – yes!  Cheddar, Monterey Jack, and mozzarella would all be great options. Or if you have another type of cheese you’d like to try, give it a shot.  Just be sure it melts into the pasta and sauce so you can enjoy the delicious flavor.

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This crockpot goulash recipe is a great meal for those busy weeknights, but also great for potlucks and parties because it makes so many servings.

Plus, it’s super affordable.

You’re going to love it!