Easy Slow Cooker American Goulash Recipe: Homemade Comfort
Comfort arrives with this hearty slow cooker american goulash that brings classic Midwestern flavors straight to your kitchen.
Generations of home cooks have perfected this simple yet satisfying meal.
Tender beef and soft pasta create a robust dish packed with rich tomato goodness.
Minimal prep means maximum flavor without hours of complicated cooking techniques.
Seasoned with paprika and garlic, this one-pot wonder delivers serious taste without overwhelming complexity.
Streamlined ingredients combine effortlessly in your slow cooker, promising a delicious dinner that practically makes itself.
Serve this goulash and watch everyone gather around the table, eager to savor every delectable bite.
Tips to Nail Slow Cooker American Goulash
Variations on Slow Cooker American Goulash
Pairing Suggestions for Slow Cooker American Goulash
Storage Advice for Slow Cooker American Goulash
FAQs
Ground beef, sweet onion, green pepper, pasta sauce, tomato sauce, petite diced tomatoes, and elbow macaroni create a hearty and flavorful one-pot meal that’s classic American comfort food.
Yes, ground turkey or ground chicken can be substituted for ground beef. The cooking process remains the same, and it provides a leaner protein option.
Absolutely! This goulash reheats well and can be stored in the refrigerator for 3-4 days, making it an excellent option for preparing meals in advance.
Slow Cooker American Goulash to Enjoy
Ingredients for Slow Cooker American Goulash
Meat Base:Sauce and Seasoning Components:Pasta Component:How to Cook Slow Cooker American Goulash
Step 1: Brown and Crumble Beef
Grab a large skillet and start sizzling ground beef with finely chopped sweet onions and green peppers. Keep stirring and breaking up the meat until it’s completely cooked and the vegetables turn soft and fragrant.
Drain away any extra grease from the skillet to keep the dish light and delicious.
Step 2: Transfer to Slow Cooker
Scoop the fully cooked beef and vegetable mixture into your slow cooker, making sure to scrape every last flavorful bit from the skillet.
Step 3: Build the Flavor Base
Add these ingredients to the slow cooker:Stir everything together until well combined, creating a rich and aromatic base for your goulash.
Step 4: Slow Cook to Perfection
Cover the slow cooker and let it work its magic.
Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 2-4 hours. This slow cooking process helps blend all the wonderful flavors together.
Step 5: Add Pasta
About an hour before serving, toss in uncooked elbow macaroni. Give it a good stir to ensure the pasta is well-integrated with the sauce.
Cover and continue cooking until the pasta reaches your desired tenderness.
Step 6: Serve and Enjoy
Ladle the steaming goulash into bowls.
Pair with crispy garlic bread and a fresh green salad for a complete and satisfying meal that will warm everyone’s heart.
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Slow Cooker American Goulash Recipe
- Total Time: 7 hours 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 1x
Description
Hearty slow cooker American goulash brings comfort to dinner tables with classic midwestern flavors. Rich ground beef and tender pasta combine for a satisfying one-pot meal you’ll crave during chilly evenings.
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 24 oz pasta sauce (Rao’s Roasted Garlic Sauce recommended)
- 15 oz petite diced tomatoes
- 8 oz tomato sauce
- 1 cup uncooked elbow macaroni
- 1 cup water
- 1 small sweet onion (finely diced)
- 1 green pepper (finely diced, optional)
- 2 tsp minced garlic (jarred or fresh)
- 1 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tbsp granulated sugar
Instructions
- Brown ground beef with diced onions and green peppers in a skillet over medium-high heat until meat is fully cooked and vegetables are tender, approximately 8-10 minutes. Thoroughly drain excess fat.
- Transfer the meat and vegetable mixture into a 4-6 quart slow cooker.
- Add minced garlic, pasta sauce, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, water, Italian seasoning, and granulated sugar to the slow cooker. Mix ingredients thoroughly, ensuring even distribution.
- Set slow cooker to low temperature for 6-8 hours or high temperature for 2-4 hours, allowing flavors to develop and meld together.
- During the final hour of cooking, introduce uncooked elbow macaroni into the slow cooker. Gently stir to integrate pasta throughout the sauce.
- Continue cooking until macaroni reaches desired tenderness, typically 30-45 minutes.
- Once pasta is cooked and sauce has thickened, turn off slow cooker and let stand for 5-10 minutes to allow slight cooling and further sauce absorption.
- Serve immediately with optional garnishes like fresh parsley or grated parmesan cheese, accompanied by garlic bread and crisp salad.
Notes
- Brown ground beef in a skillet and drain thoroughly to reduce excess fat and create a lighter, less greasy dish.
- Add macaroni only during the last hour of cooking to prevent overcooking and maintain the ideal texture, preventing mushy noodles.
- Enhance the depth of taste by using a combination of tomato sauce varieties or adding a splash of red wine for complexity.
- Swap ground beef for ground turkey or plant-based crumbles to create a leaner or vegetarian version of the classic goulash.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 7 hours 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 367 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 520 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 43 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 26 g
- Cholesterol: 65 mg
Clara Bennett
Contributing Recipe Developer & Food Writer
Expertise
Baking and Pastry Development, Gluten-Free and Allergy-Friendly Recipe Creation, Culinary Storytelling and Food Journalism, Recipe Testing and Standardization, Southern Comfort Foods and Modern Twists
Education
Sullivan University – National Center for Hospitality Studies
Associate Degree in Culinary Arts
Focus: Baking and Pastry Arts, Recipe Testing, and Culinary Journalism.
Clara specialized in crafting desserts that blend classic Southern comfort with modern techniques, while developing strong writing skills to tell the story behind every dish.
Lane Community College (Certificate Program)
Certificate in Food Writing and Photography
Focus: Culinary storytelling, recipe formatting, food styling, and visual presentation.
Clara’s love of baking started young, powered by homemade pies, biscuits, and stories passed around the family table.
After earning her degree at Sullivan University and a food writing certificate at Lane Community College, she turned her passion into a craft: sharing recipes that are simple, soulful, and always full of heart.
She’s big on bold flavors, flexible ideas, and creating sweets that fit any table (yes, even if you’re gluten-free). When she’s not baking, you’ll find her wandering farmers’ markets, styling food for the next photo shoot, or working on her ever-growing recipe journal.