If you're looking for an easy goulash recipe that’s hearty and filling, comforting, and deliciously flavorful, this is it! This Slow Cooker Goulash Recipe is the perfect easy and economical family meal. Ground beef, tomato sauce, macaroni, and Italian spices are all combined to create the perfect one pot meal. This crockpot goulash is ideal for meal prep, cozy weeknight dinners, or feeding a hungry crowd.
This post has been updated since its original publication date in February 2022.
Jump to:
- Easy Goulash Recipe
- Why you'll love this Slow Cooker Beef Goulash Recipe?
- What is Goulash?
- The difference between Hungarian and American Goulash:
- Goulash Ingredients
- How to Make Goulash
- Serving Suggestions
- How to Store, Reheat, Freeze, and Thaw Goulash
- Delicious Variations for this easy Goulash recipe:
- Frequently Ask Questions
- Slow Cooker Goulash Recipe
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, you should check out my Cheeseburger Macaroni, Million Dollar Spaghetti, Crockpot BBQ Chicken Pasta , and my Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup.
Why you'll love this Slow Cooker Beef Goulash Recipe?
- Everyone will love it, with bold, rich, classic goulash flavor. This meal is a great way to feed your hungry guy or growing teenagers.
- 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 it's hands-free cooking and makes a ton of yummy goulash.
- I should tell you that American Goulash is not the same thing as goulash in other parts of the world. Like many dishes with the same name, the ingredients and preparation differ.
I should tell you that American Goulash is not the same thing as goulash in other parts of the world. Like many dishes with the same name, the ingredients and preparation differ.
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:
Traditional 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!
Goulash Ingredients
- Lean ground beef – I prefer to use lean ground beef, so there’s no need to drain the excess fat after browning.
- Onions and Garlic — These aromatics add incredible flavor and savory 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 counterbalances 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.
In a large nonstick pan over medium heat, cook the ground beef until it’s no longer pink, with 1 teaspoon salt and ½ teaspoon pepper, about 6 minutes.
Add the onions and cook for 6 more minutes, then add the garlic and cook for 1 minute.
While the beef, onions, and garlic are cooking...
... Add the beef stock, crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, Worcestershire sauce, bay leaves, Italian seasoning, sugar, salt, and pepper to the crockpot,....
... and mix it together.
When the meat mixture is finished cooking add it to the crockpot. Cover and cook on low for 4-5 hours or on high for 2-3 hours.
30 minutes prior to serving, stir in the macaroni and parsley. Cover and cook until the noodles are al dente. (About 20 minutes.) Turn off the heat and remove the inner pot from the crockpot cooking device.
Remove the bay leaves and stir in parmesan cheese.
Taste and adjust the seasonings if needed. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve pronto! (If you wait to serve, the pasta does get soft and mushy.)
NOTE: If you’re not eating all of the goulash for dinner, transfer the rest of the goulash to a platter and let it cool, or put it into storage containers and into the fridge ASAP. This will prevent it from continuing to cook the pasta and making it too soft.
Serving Suggestions
This goulash is a meal all on its own! But if you want to add some veggies on the side, this Parmesan Broccoli is a great kid-friendly option. Some other tasty options would be my Balsamic Brussels Sprouts or this Broccoli Salad with Grapes and Bacon.
How to Store, Reheat, Freeze, and Thaw Goulash
Storing: Store the leftover goulash in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. The flavors get even better the next day!
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 to loosen the pasta and beef, 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. You may want to add a splash of beef stock to add moisture since the pasta soaks it up while in the fridge.
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.
Delicious Variations for this easy Goulash recipe:
- BBQ Goulash: 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 tomato sauce for your favorite BBQ sauce.
- Creamy Goulash: Mix in a cup of sour cream or 4 ounces of cream cheese at the end to give this recipe a creamier texture.
- Healthy Goulash: To make this an even leaner meal, you can use ground turkey or ground chicken in place of ground beef.
- Garden Goulash: Try adding in extra veggies like corn, peas, diced carrots, green beans, or even stirring in kale or baby spinach at the end!
Frequently Ask Questions
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.
Yes – for sure. Any short pasta shape will work just fine, including penne, rotini, shells, or farfalle pasta. 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.
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.
This easy slow cooker goulash recipe is everything you want in a comforting dinner – rich, flavorful, and totally satisfying. It’s the ultimate slow cooker recipe that’ll have everyone going back for seconds. Whether you're feeding your family, meal prepping for the week, or just need something warm and filling, this beef goulash recipe will hit the spot every time.
Plus, it’s super affordable. You’re going to love it!
Slow Cooker Goulash Recipe
If you're looking for an easy goulash recipe that’s hearty and filling, comforting, and deliciously flavorful, this is it! This Slow Cooker Goulash is the perfect easy and economical family meal. Ground beef, tomato sauce, elbow macaroni, and Italian spices are all combined to create the perfect one pot meal.
Ingredients
- 2 pounds ground beef, 93 % lean
- 1 large onion finely diced
- 5 large garlic cloves minced
- 4 cups beef stock
- 28 ounces crushed tomatoes
- 30 ounces petite diced tomatoes
- 15 ounce canned tomato sauce
- 2-3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 3 bay leaves
- 2 tablespoon Italian Seasoning
- 2 teaspoon salt, divided
- 1 teaspoon pepper, divided
- 2 teaspoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 4 cups elbow macaroni (16 ounces)
- ⅓ cup parmesan cheese (more for serving)
- ⅓ cup finely chopped parsley (more for garnish)
Instructions
- Plug in and turn on your slow cooker to high or low. Depending on which you are using.
- In a large nonstick pan over medium heat, cook the ground beef until it’s no longer pink, with 1 teaspoon salt and ½ teaspoon pepper, about 6 minutes. Add the onions and cook 5-6 more minutes, then add the garlic and cook for 1 minute.
- While the beef is cooking, add the beef stock, crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, Worcestershire sauce, bay leaves, Italian seasoning, sugar, remaining salt, and pepper to the crockpot, and mix together.
- When the meat mixture is finished cooking add it to the crockpot.
- Cover and cook on low for 4-5 hours or on high for 2-3 hours.
- Thirty minutes prior to serving, stir in the macaroni and parsley. Cover and cook until the noodles are al dente. (About 20 minutes.) Turn off the heat and remove the inner pot from the crockpot cooking device.
- Remove the bay leaves and stir in parmesan.
- Serve immediately so that the pasta does not get soft and mushy.
Nutrition Information
Yield
8Serving Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 454Total Fat 13gSaturated Fat 5gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 6gCholesterol 104mgSodium 1584mgCarbohydrates 41gFiber 7gSugar 13gProtein 44g
This nutrition card uses an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. This estimate is not a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice!
Paula
If not totally consumed, how do you keep the pasta from getting mushy?
holly
Hi Paula, great question! Try to figure out how much of the goulash will be consumed when you first serve it and what will be leftovers. Then after you have removed the bay leaves and stirred in parmesan cheese, remove the portion you want for leftovers and put it in a food storge container in the fridge. OR - you can try my favorite trick for keeping pasta from getting mushy... Place the portion of goulash you want for leftovers on a large plate or platter and place it in the freezer (no need to cover) for 3-4 minutes (set a timer), then remove and store it in the fridge in a storage container. I hope this helps.
Ashley Dishman
Delicious Recipe! I made in my Ninja Foodi, so I was able to cook the ground beef and put the pot directly in the crockpot to add the tomato fixings! One pot, easy clean up, and my kids loved it!
holly
Hi Ashley, thanks so much - I'm thrilled you and your kids enjoyed the goulash! And I love that you made it into a one-pot meal!🙌
Jen
This turned out so good! The kids loved it!
holly
Hi Jen! I love hearing that! Thanks so much for letting me know!
Jenn
Looks delicious!
holly
Jenn, thank you for the kind words I can tell you myself that it truly is delicious!