Grandma's Goulash Recipe (2024)

4.35 from 138 votes

ByStacie VaughanOn Updated

32 Comments

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This Grandma’s Goulash is a comforting one-pot meal just like Grandma used to make! Enjoy tender noodles in a savory tomato-based meat sauce for an easy, delicious meal.

Grandma's Goulash Recipe (1)

My Grandma June’s long-time partner, Clarence, was a beef farmer. Ground beef was a staple at her house. Beef and potatoes was Clarence’s favorite meal so whenever I visited I knew to expect to eat comfort food. Her Hamburger Soup was amazing!

This goulash recipe is more of an American Goulash with it’s tomato base, pasta and loads of ground beef. It’s a quick and affordable dinner idea to whip up for your family. I’m always full after eating a big heaping bowl of Grandma’s Goulash.

My grandma passed away in 2012 and I miss her dearly. I still cry when I think about her. We were very close. I love sharing recipes that remind me of her like this recipe. Grandma’s are so special.

It’s a little like a Hamburger Helper, but homemade which is 100% better, in my opinion. My fiancé ate all the leftovers himself. They lasted only a day in the fridge.

Grandma's Goulash Recipe (2)

Ingredients

The full printable recipe card with measurements and instructions is found at the bottom of the post.

For this simple recipe, you’ll need the following ingredients.

  • Ground beef
  • Onions
  • Garlic
  • Salt
  • Celery salt
  • Worcestershire sauce
  • Macaroni noodles
  • Tomato juice
  • Water
  • Beef bouillon cubes
  • Pepper
  • Green onions (for garnish)
Grandma's Goulash Recipe (3)

How to Make Grandma’s Goulash

  • Step One: Add ground beef, onions, garlic and salt to a large skillet over medium high heat. Cook, stirring often, until beef is browned.
  • Step Two: Add beef bouillon cubes to water and stir to dissolve. Add to skillet and stir.
Grandma's Goulash Recipe (4)
  • Step Three: Add tomato juice, Worcestershire sauce, celery salt and pepper to skillet and stir. Bring to a boil.
  • Step Four: Reduce heat to medium low. Cover and simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  • Step Five: Add macaroni noodles. Cover and simmer on medium low for 20 minutes or until noodles are tender. Stir often so the noodles don’t stick to the bottom of the skillet.
  • Step Six: Garnish with green onions and serve hot.
Grandma's Goulash Recipe (5)

Equipment Needed

These kitchen tools will help you make this recipe.

This post contains affiliate links.

Grandma's Goulash Recipe (6)

Can You Freeze Grandma’s Goulash?

Yes, you can freeze Grandma’s Goulash. Prepare the recipe and let it cool. Then store it in a freezer safe container for up to 3 months.

How to Store Grandma’s Goulash

If you end up having leftovers, store them in the fridge, covered, for up to 3 days. You can reheat them in the microwave for a few minutes and it will still taste delicious!

Grandma's Goulash Recipe (7)

Can I Use Other Meat instead of Ground Beef?

If you don’t have ground beef, you could substitute ground chicken, ground turkey or ground pork in its place.

More Ground Beef Recipes

  • Texas Beef Skillet
  • Beef Noodle Bake
  • Beef Nacho Bake
  • Garden Vegetable Beef Skillet
  • Cheesy BBQ Beef Casserole
  • Cheesy Hamburger Supper
  • Shipwreck Casserole
  • Mom’s Macaroni
  • Tater Tot Casserole
Grandma's Goulash Recipe (8)

You’ll also like Stovetop Mac and Cheese, Meatball Sub Casserole, Baked Macaroni and Cheese and Tuna Noodle Casserole.

Do you have any recipes that you love from your grandma?

Follow me on Instagram@simplystacieblog, Facebook atSimply Stacie, TikTok@simplystacierecipesor Pinterest at@simplystacieand let me know how you liked this recipe and my other recipes.

Grandma's Goulash Recipe (9)

Rate this Recipe

4.35 from 138 votes

Grandma’s Goulash

Created by Stacie Vaughan

Servings 6

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time 50 minutes minutes

Total Time 55 minutes minutes

A comforting one-pot meal just like Grandma used to make! Enjoy tender noodles in a savory tomato-based meat sauce for an easy, delicious meal.

Rate this Recipe

Ingredients

  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 1 cup sweet onions chopped
  • 1 clove garlic minced
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 ½ tsp celery salt
  • 1 ½ tsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 cups macaroni noodles uncooked
  • 2 ½ cups tomato juice
  • 2 cups water
  • 2 beef bouillon cubes
  • dash pepper
  • green onions sliced, for garnish, optional

Instructions

  • Add ground beef, onions, garlic and salt to a large skillet over medium high heat. Cook, stirring often, until beef is browned.

  • Add beef bouillon cubes to water and stir to dissolve. Add to skillet and stir.

  • Add tomato juice, Worcestershire sauce, celery salt and pepper to skillet and stir. Bring to a boil.

  • Reduce heat to medium low. Cover and simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.

  • Add macaroni noodles. Cover and simmer on medium low for 20 minutes or until noodles are tender. Stir often so the noodles don’t stick to the bottom of the skillet.

  • Garnish with green onions and serve hot.

Video

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 309kcal | Carbohydrates: 21g | Protein: 24g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 67mg | Sodium: 1198mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 5g

The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

Course Main Dishes

Cuisine American

Keyword Grandma’s Goulash

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Grandma's Goulash Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is traditional goulash made of? ›

Some very basic ingredients for goulash include beef, onions, carrots, potatoes, peppers, caraway seeds, paprika, cumin, salt, and pepper.

Is Hamburger Helper the same as goulash? ›

Is goulash the same as Hamburger Helper? Almost! This American goulash is made with ground beef and macaroni pasta in a tomato-y sauce which are all characteristics of the Hamburger Helper. However, goulash is more heavily spiced and tomato-focused while Hamburger Helper tends to be creamier, and cheesier.

How do you soften goulash meat? ›

The first is to submerge meat in cooking oil (sunflower or olive oil) before you start cooking. The oil is absorbed and softens the meat. The second method is to add some vinegar while you're cooking and the vinegar will begin to tenderise the meat.

What is American goulash made of? ›

It's a simple dish with ground beef and elbow macaroni in tomato sauce. This American comfort food is also called “slumgullion”, Hamburger Goulash, or “American chop suey” among other names!

What is the difference between American and traditional goulash? ›

American goulash is a one-pot dish of ground beef, pasta (often elbow macaroni), tomatoes and cheese. Sometimes it includes paprika, like its Hungarian counterpart. Since American goulash calls for ground beef, it cooks much faster than Hungarian goulash which relies on low-and-slow cooking to render the beef tender.

How do you thicken goulash? ›

Whisk a teaspoon of flour in a little cold water to make a slurry, then stir into the stew as it's cooking. Don't add dry flour directly to the stew as it may clump. After adding the slurry, bring the stew to boil. This will cook out the flour taste and allow the starch to swell.

What is goulash called in the South? ›

American goulash, sometimes called slumgullion, American Chop Suey, or even Beef-a-Roni, is an American comfort-food dish popular in the Midwest and South.

Are beefaroni and goulash the same thing? ›

This easy, one-pot American Goulash (aka Beefaroni) is the epitome of comfort food and a meal the entire family will love! It starts with a flavorful homemade meat sauce, then macaroni noodles cooked in the sauce, and finished with a sprinkle of cheese.

What's another name for goulash? ›

While the mixture of ground beef, macaroni, and tomato sauce seems simple enough, thousands of users responded with a slew of different names. Beefaroni, goulash, slumgullion, Johnny Marzetti, American Chop Suey—the list goes on.

What softens meat quickly? ›

Work Faster with Baking Soda

Tenderizing with a baking soda solution is faster than using a saltwater brine. Meat only has to sit in a baking soda solution for 15 to 20 minutes, but a brine solution can take at least 30 minutes to start working.

Can you freeze homemade goulash? ›

Yes! This One Pot American Goulash recipe is very freezer-friendly. Just make sure to cool the goulash completely in the refrigerator first, then transfer to the freezer for long term storage. I suggest freezing goulash for three months maximum.

What's the difference between stroganoff and goulash? ›

Traditional goulash is a stew/soup, usually using a cheaper cut of meat suited to slow cooking. It usually contains potatoes and other vegetables, as well as noodles. A true stroganoff consists of paprika-dusted fillet steak quickly pan fried with mushrooms and onions in a sour cream and brandy sauce.

Where is the original goulash? ›

Originating in Hungary, goulash is a common meal predominantly eaten in Central Europe but also in other parts of Europe. It is one of the national dishes of Hungary and a symbol of the country. Its origin may be traced back as far as the 10th century, to stews eaten by Hungarian shepherds.

What is origin American goulash? ›

American goulash is usually referred to in the midwestern and southern United States as simply "goulash". As a descendant, of sorts, of Hungarian goulash, the only real connection seems to be the name, and the inclusion of beef and paprika.

What is goulash called in America? ›

American goulash, sometimes called slumgullion, American Chop Suey, or even Beef-a-Roni, is an American comfort-food dish popular in the Midwest and South.

What is the difference between Hungarian goulash and beef stew? ›

Though one noticeable thing about traditional Goulash is that the broth is thinner than what you think of with stews, and it's not thickened with flour or cream. Also, it's not typically served over mash like stews, it's served in bowls like soup.

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