10+ Goulash Recipes to Warm Up Your Dinner Table

Goulash recipes pull together simple ingredients into warm, comforting meals you can enjoy any day. Whether you’re after something quick or craving a dish with deep, rich flavors, there are plenty of versions to match your mood and schedule.

Goulash is a versatile dish that combines meat, vegetables, and spices in a way that’s satisfying and easy to put together. You’ll find recipes perfect for busy weeknights or for sharing with friends and family.

Ingredients

• Ground beef or beef chunks
• Onions
• Garlic
• Tomato paste or sauce
• Spices like paprika
• Pasta or potatoes

Cooking Instructions

1. Brown the meat in a pan over medium heat (about 350°F / 175°C).
2. Add chopped onions and garlic, cook until soft.
3. Stir in tomato paste and spices, mix well.
4. Add pasta or potatoes and enough water or broth to cover.
5. Simmer until the pasta or potatoes are tender, about 20-30 minutes.
6. Serve warm.

1) Classic Hungarian Goulash with Paprika and Caraway

This goulash is a hearty stew you can whip up at home. It’s all about tender beef simmered in a rich broth with sweet Hungarian paprika and just a hint of caraway.

The beef cooks with onions and garlic until everything softens up. Then you’ll stir in tomato paste and broth for a thick, flavorful sauce.

Let it simmer low and slow so the meat gets really tender and the flavors come together. I like to serve it with a dollop of sour cream or some crusty bread—just hits the spot.

Ingredients

• 2 lbs beef chuck, cut into cubes
• 4-6 slices side bacon
• 3-4 onions, minced
• 1/4 cup sweet Hungarian paprika
• 1/2 tsp crushed caraway seeds
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 2 cups beef broth
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook bacon in a pot until crisp. Remove and set aside.
2. Brown beef cubes in bacon fat, then remove.
3. Sauté onions until translucent.
4. Add garlic, paprika, and caraway seeds; cook for about a minute.
5. Stir in tomato paste, then return beef and bacon to the pot.
6. Pour in beef broth and season with salt and pepper.
7. Bring to a low boil, then simmer covered for 2-3 hours.
8. Check tenderness and adjust seasoning before serving.

You can get a detailed guide to this classic recipe here.

2) Easy American Goulash one-pot meal

This one-pot American Goulash is a simple, satisfying dinner you can pull together fast. You cook the ground beef, pasta, and sauce all in one pan, so you’ll save time and avoid a pile of dishes.

The sauce is made from diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and beef broth, giving the dish a rich tomato flavor. Add garlic and onion powder for a little extra punch.

The pasta cooks right in the sauce and soaks up all that flavor. When it’s done, stir in some cheese if you like things creamy. This meal is perfect for busy nights when you want something warm and filling.

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef
• 2 cups elbow macaroni
• 1 can diced tomatoes (14.5 oz)
• 1 can tomato sauce (8 oz)
• 2 cups beef broth
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Brown ground beef in a large pan over medium heat.
2. Add diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, beef broth, garlic powder, and onion powder. Stir everything together.
3. Bring to a boil.
4. Add macaroni and reduce heat. Cover and cook for 12-15 minutes until pasta is tender.
5. Stir every now and then, adding more broth if needed.
6. Remove from heat and mix in cheddar cheese, if using.
7. Serve warm.

Find more easy recipes like this one pot version.

3) Ground Beef and Macaroni Goulash

This goulash is simple and filling. You cook ground beef with onions and seasonings, then add macaroni and a tomato-based sauce.

It all cooks in one pot, so cleanup’s a breeze. The sauce is usually cheesy or tomato-rich, making the dish comforting and tasty.

You can have it ready in under 30 minutes—perfect for those nights when you just want dinner on the table, fast. Most of the ingredients are pantry staples.

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef
• 2 cups elbow macaroni
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 can (10.75 oz) tomato soup
• 1 can (8 oz) tomato sauce
• ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Brown ground beef and onions in a large pan. Drain the fat.
2. Add tomato soup, tomato sauce, and seasoning. Stir well.
3. Mix in macaroni and enough water to cover.
4. Simmer on medium heat until macaroni is tender, about 15 minutes.
5. Stir in cheddar cheese until melted. Serve warm.

Grab the full recipe at Easy Goulash Recipe.

4) Slow-Cooked Hungarian Beef Stew-Soup

You can make a rich Hungarian beef stew-soup by slow-cooking beef with onions, garlic, and lots of sweet paprika. The long cooking time makes the meat super soft and the sauce thick and flavorful.

Carrots and potatoes add extra heartiness. It’s easy—just toss everything into the slow cooker and let it do its thing.

Making it this way means you don’t have to babysit the pot. The beef and spices blend together, creating a warm, filling stew-soup that’s perfect for chilly days.

Ingredients

• 2 pounds beef chuck, cut into chunks
• 2 onions, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 tablespoons sweet paprika
• 4 cups beef broth
• 3 carrots, sliced
• 3 potatoes, chopped
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Brown the beef in a pan to lock in flavor.
2. Add browned beef, onions, garlic, paprika, tomato paste, broth, carrots, and potatoes to the slow cooker.
3. Stir gently to mix.
4. Cook on low for 7-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours until beef is tender.
5. Season with salt and pepper before serving.

For more details, check out this slow cooker Hungarian goulash.

5) 30-Minute Quick Goulash with Pantry Staples

You can make a tasty goulash in no time using pantry staples. This recipe uses ground beef, canned tomatoes, pasta, and simple spices.

Everything cooks in one pot, so cleanup is easy. Brown the beef first, then add tomatoes and seasonings.

Pour in the pasta and enough water to cook it right in the sauce. Let it simmer until the pasta is tender and the flavors come together.

This quick goulash is great for busy nights when you want a warm, filling meal without fuss. You don’t need anything fancy—just what’s in your cupboard.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
• 2 cups elbow macaroni
• 2 cups water or broth
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp paprika
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions:

1. Brown the ground beef and onion in a large pot over medium heat.
2. Drain excess fat.
3. Add diced tomatoes, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
4. Pour in water and bring to a boil.
5. Stir in pasta, reduce heat, cover, and simmer 15 minutes until pasta is tender.
6. Stir occasionally to keep things from sticking.
7. Serve warm.

6) Cheesy Tomato Sauce Goulash

This goulash is simple and comforting. You cook ground beef with macaroni, then mix it in a cheesy tomato sauce.

The sauce has a rich tomato flavor with melted cheese for extra creaminess. You can make it all in one pot, which makes things easy.

The cheese makes the sauce smooth and creamy, but not overly heavy. Use your favorite kind of cheese or a mix if you’re feeling adventurous.

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef
• 2 cups macaroni pasta
• 2 cups tomato sauce
• 1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar works)
• 1/2 cup diced tomatoes (optional)
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Brown the ground beef in a large pot over medium heat. Drain any fat.
2. Add macaroni, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Stir everything together.
3. Cover and simmer for 15 minutes or until pasta is tender, giving it a stir now and then.
4. Remove from heat and stir in shredded cheese until melted.
5. Serve warm and dig in.

7) Homemade Weeknight Goulash under an Hour

You can get a tasty goulash meal on the table fast, even on a busy night. It uses ground beef, pasta, and a tomato-based sauce.

Everything cooks in one pot, so you’ll save time and avoid a mess. The pasta turns tender and soaks up the sauce’s flavor.

Adding cheese on top makes it extra rich and comforting. This recipe is simple but really satisfying.

No fancy ingredients here. Just pantry basics and a few seasonings, and dinner is ready in under an hour. Sometimes that’s all you need for a cozy meal.

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef
• 8 oz elbow macaroni
• 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
• 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 2 cups beef broth
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Brown the ground beef with the chopped onion in a large pot over medium heat.
2. Drain excess fat.
3. Add tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, beef broth, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
4. Stir in the dry pasta and bring to a boil.
5. Reduce heat and cover the pot.
6. Simmer for about 20 minutes, or until the pasta turns tender.
7. Stir everything together.
8. Sprinkle cheese on top, cover, and let it melt for 5 minutes.
9. Serve warm. Enjoy this quick weeknight goulash.

For more details, check out this Easy American Goulash recipe.

8) One-Pan Beef and Noodle Goulash

This one-pan beef and noodle goulash is honestly a lifesaver when you’re in a hurry. Everything goes into one pot, so cleanup is a breeze.

The ground beef cooks with pasta, tomato sauce, and spices, making a dish that’s way heartier than you’d expect. The noodles soak up all that flavor—kind of irresistible, really.

If you’re feeling it, toss some cheese on top for a little extra comfort.

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef
• 2 cups egg noodles
• 1 (26 oz) jar spaghetti sauce
• 1 cup beef broth
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Optional: shredded cheese

Cooking Instructions

1. Brown the ground beef and chopped onion in a large pan.
2. Drain any excess fat.
3. Add spaghetti sauce, beef broth, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
4. Stir in egg noodles.
5. Cover and let it simmer on medium heat for about 15 minutes.
6. Stir now and then so nothing sticks.
7. When the noodles are tender, take the pan off the heat.
8. If you want, add cheese and let it melt before serving.

9) Goulash with Sweet Paprika and Vegetables

This goulash brings together sweet paprika and a bunch of fresh veggies. The paprika gives the stew a lovely color and a gentle, warming flavor.

You’ll get tender beef, carrots, potatoes, and peppers all in one pot. The veggies add a nice mix of color and texture—honestly, it’s comfort food at its best.

Let everything simmer slowly so the flavors really come together. I like serving it with some good bread or buttered noodles.

Ingredients

• 2 lbs beef chuck, cut into cubes
• 2 tbsp sweet paprika
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 carrots, sliced
• 2 potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 1 red bell pepper, chopped
• 4 cups beef broth
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat.
2. Add onions and garlic, and cook until they’re soft.
3. Toss in the beef cubes and brown them on all sides.
4. Stir in sweet paprika and tomato paste.
5. Add carrots, potatoes, and bell pepper.
6. Pour in the beef broth, then season with salt and pepper.
7. Bring it all to a boil.
8. Lower the heat, cover, and simmer for 1.5 to 2 hours until the beef turns tender.
9. Taste and adjust the seasoning before serving.

10) Simple Ground Beef Goulash with Onion and Garlic

You can whip up a tasty ground beef goulash with just a handful of basics. Start by softening onions and garlic in a little olive oil.

Add the ground beef and cook until it’s no longer pink. Mix in tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, and beef broth for a rich, cozy sauce.

Let it all simmer so the flavors meld together. This one’s a breeze for any weekday.

Serve it straight from the pot, or over pasta or rice if you want to stretch it. It’s warm, filling, and honestly, just what you need sometimes.

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 1/2 lbs ground beef
• 1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce
• 1 (15 oz) can diced tomatoes
• 1 cup beef broth

Cooking Instructions

1. Pour a splash of olive oil into a big pan. Set the heat to medium.

2. Toss in the onion and garlic. Let them cook until they’re soft—give it about 3 or 4 minutes.

3. Add the ground beef next. Stir it around until it browns up nicely, maybe 6 to 8 minutes.

4. Stir in some tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, and beef broth.

5. Turn the heat down. Let everything simmer for 20 minutes. Stir it here and there so nothing sticks.

6. Dish it up while it’s hot. Pair it with whatever side you like best.

For more details, check out the easy ground beef goulash recipe.