Easy Ground Beef Goulash Recipe (2024)

Kid-friendly, Quick, and easy Beef Goulash made with ground beef is great for any busy night of the week when you want something satisfying yet fast that the whole family will enjoy. There is nothing authentic about this goulash recipe. There is no slow-simmering involved. This easy meal is one of the quickest I cook.

This pasta recipe is a perfect playground for beginner cooks.

It also serves as an excellent canvas for seasoned cooks who want to adjust a simple flavor profile into something more gourmet-like.

Ground beef goulash is the perfect alternative to cracking open a jar of spaghetti sauce or any tomato-based sauce

Ground beef, onions, plain ole tomato sauce, a few seasonings, and a box of penne are all you need for this quick pasta recipe.

I generally start with about 1 1/2 of lean ground beef. You can add more meat or use less meat; that part is all a matter of preference. We just happen to like more meat in ours.

Since this is intended to be a quick weeknight meal, I don’t add many other ingredients.

My other pasta meat sauce recipe needs some time to simmer for the flavors to develop.

What’s the Best Pasta for Goulash?

Penne is my preferred pasta because it has small lines that seem to capture more sauce.

Mostaccioli is similar in shape without the ridges, and I use that anytime penne is unavailable for any reason.

I have successfully used mini penne.

Bowties and regular macaroni pasta seem to disintegrate in the sauce. I think they are probably just too small.

If you want to use either of these, I suggest serving the sauce on top rather than mixed into one pot.

Ingredients

• Lean ground beef
• Large onion
• Tomato sauce
• Granulated garlic
• Italian seasoning
• Penne pasta
• Grated parmesan cheese

Substitutions and Additions

I have successfully made this dish with different ground meats. Ground turkey, chunks of beef, bison, and chicken have all been used successfully. I don’t do venison, but ground venison would make an acceptable substitution.

If you’re into a little kick in your goulash, go with chopped bell peppers, green peppers, or a sprinkle of red pepper flakes. Swap the granulated garlic, garlic powder with a clove or two of fresh garlic for a more robust flavor.

You could also give it a go by adding a can of kidney beans (drained and rinsed) or some chopped zucchini for an extra dose of nutrition.

If you’re feeling adventurous, swap out the parmesan and sprinkle some shredded mozzarella or cheddar cheese for a delightful twist.

How to Make Easy Ground Beef Goulash

1. Leave the liquid in the pan Unless you use a ground beef high in fat. If you have a large amount of fat, drain some grease from the pan before proceeding. Cook ground beef in a saucepot over medium-high heat, stirring with a wooden spoon to break it up as it browns.
2. Cook the onions with the hamburger over medium-high heat on the stove top until the onion pieces soften for approximately 3 minutes.
3. Lower the heat to medium-low and incorporate tomato sauce, garlic, and Italian seasoning.
4. Lower the heat once the sauce starts bubbling and let it simmer until the pasta is cooked.
5. Once the sauce is simmering, cook the pasta until it is al dente (or following the instructions on the package). After the pasta is cooked, drain the water without rinsing. Then, add the pasta to the sauce and stir until it is thoroughly mixed.
6. Sprinkle parmesan cheese onto the pasta and toss until well combined. Take it off the heat and serve. You can serve it with crusty bread or a simple green salad.

Recipe Tips

• This can be halved or doubled with no problems. I always make the whole batch because leftovers do well in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days and make great lunches.
• I add grated parmesan cheese straight from the big green can into the sauce. This serves to flavor the sauce and helps thicken the whole dish after the pasta has been added. Shredded parmesan can be substituted. However, it will be just a bit more stringy.
• Don’t rush the simmering process. Letting the goulash simmer gently will help all the flavors meld together beautifully.
• Try adding a dash of smoked paprika if you want to give your goulash a smoky flavor. It pairs beautifully with the beef and tomatoes.
• For added richness, stir in a spoonful of sour cream or Greek yogurt before serving. It’ll give your goulash a creamy, tangy twist.
• If you’ve got fresh herbs on hand, chop up some basil, parsley, or bay leaf and sprinkle it over your goulash just before serving to add extra flavor. Fresh herbs can brighten up the flavors.
• If you’re a cheese lover, double the amount of parmesan. There’s no such thing as too much cheese, right?

Storage

Leftover goulash can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

To reheat leftovers, just put them on a plate or a bowl and microwave them for a few minutes.

For another dinner during the week, I place the leftovers into a greased baking pan, cover it with mozzarella cheese, and bake it at 325 degrees F for about 30 minutes.

While baking, I whip up some garlic bread and pop it right into the oven during the last 10 minutes of reheating.

Make a quick salad, and you can have a second dinner in less than 30 minutes. Faster than delivery!

You could get super fancy and add some spoonfuls of ricotta cheese to the leftovers before reheating.

Freezing Goulash

This goulash freezes beautifully. Just let it cool completely, then store it in a freezer-safe container or in freezer bags. It can be frozen for up to three months.

To reheat, let it thaw in the fridge overnight, then warm it up on the stovetop or in the microwave.

FAQs

Can I make this dish vegetarian?

Absolutely! Swap out the ground meat for your choice of plant-based meat substitute. Lentils, tempeh, or a store-bought ground meat substitute would all work great.

What other veggies can I add to this meal?

Feel free to get creative! Mushrooms, spinach, green bell pepper, yellow onion or even diced carrots would be fantastic in this dish. Remember, if you add extra veggies, you may need to adjust the cooking time to ensure everything is cooked perfectly.

What can I use as a substitute for tomato sauce?

If you are out of tomato sauce, you can use a can of diced tomatoes, tomato paste diluted with water, or a jar of marinara sauce. Each option will give you a slightly different flavor profile, but they’ll all be delicious.

MORE PASTA RECIPES YOU DON’T WANT TO MISS

Italian Pasta Salad with Pepperoni

Shrimp Scampi Pasta

Chicken Noodle Casserole

Ranch Pasta Salad

This recipe was written and tested by a human.