Grandma’s Easy Goulash Recipe

Grandma's Easy Goulash Recipe -- Family Fresh Meals

The Best Goulash Recipe Ever!

Hey guys, it’s time for a Halloween-themed recipe – “ghoul” ash!

Ha ha, just kidding. Actually, goulash is a hearty, meaty stew from Hungary. It’s usually made with beef, but you can also use lamb, veal, or pork. And it’s good pretty much any time the weather is chilly.

There are lots of different ways to make goulash. The original Hungarian recipe had beef with peppers, wine, and spices (especially paprika).  Grandma’s easy version added tomatoes or tomato sauce, as well as noodles. And since beef, noodles, and tomatoes go so well with cheese, my version throws in some shredded sharp cheddar – because hey, recipes are supposed to evolve, right?

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Grandma's Easy Goulash Recipe - Scooped up in a serving spoon - Family Fresh Meals

This takes about 40 minutes to make, but only 10 to 15 minutes of that is actual cooking time. You brown the beef and drain it, then get it simmering in a big, deep skillet (or a Dutch oven) with tomatoes, beef broth and spices. After about 10 minutes, you stir in the noodles and let them cook until they’re tender. And right before you serve it, you yank out the bay leaves, sprinkle on the cheese, and cover it just long enough to let it melt.

The finished meal is hot, savory and incredibly filling – and there’s nothing in it that the average kid wouldn’t be happy to eat. On a cold night, it warms you right up from the inside out.

Easy Goulash Recipe

Ingredients:

2 pounds lean ground beef
2 teaspoons seasoned salt, I used Lawry’s
1/2 cup chopped onion
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 (15oz) cans diced tomatoes
2 Tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
3 cups beef broth
1 (15oz) can tomato sauce
1 TB dried parsley
1 teaspoon dried oregano
2 large bay leaves
2 cups dry elbow noodles
Kosher salt and pepper, to taste
1 and 1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese

NOTE: if you do not have a large, deep skillet, you can use a large pot or dutch oven.

Directions:

  1. Season beef with seasoned salt. Saute ground beef and onions in a large, deep skillet over medium-high heat until cooked. Drain.Grandma's Easy Goulash Recipe - Ground beef and garlic in a dutch oven with broth being poured into pot
  2. Add garlic, broth, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, Worcestershire sauce, parsley, oregano, and bay leaves Stir well. Cover and allow to simmer for 10-12 minutes.Grandma's Easy Goulash Recipe - Seasonings, broth, tomatoes and bay leave in a dutch oven
  3. Add the uncooked elbow macaroni to skillet, stir well cover with lid and simmer for about 12-18 minutes more, or until noodles are tender.
  4. Turn off heat, remove the bay leaves, and add shredded cheddar cheese. TIP. Place lid back on until cheese is melted.Grandma's Easy Goulash Recipe in a dutch oven topped with melted cheese

Enjoy!Grandma's Easy Goulash Recipe served on a white plate with a fork. Family Fresh Meals

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Corey, Darryl, Big D & Little D

 

4.84 from 18 votes

Grandma's Easy Goulash Recipe

Author Corey Valley
The Easy Goulash Recipe is hot, savory and incredibly filling – and there’s nothing in it that the average kid wouldn’t be happy to eat.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes

Ingredients
 

  • 2 pounds lean ground beef
  • 2 teaspoons seasoned salt, I used Lawry's
  • 1/2 cup chopped onion
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 15oz cans diced tomatoes
  • 2 Tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 3 cups beef broth
  • 1 15oz can tomato sauce
  • 1 TB dried parsley
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 2 large bay leaves
  • 2 cups dry elbow noodles
  • Kosher salt and pepper, to taste
  • 1.5 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese

Instructions

Note: If you do not have a large deep skillet, you can use a large pot or dutch oven.

  • Season beef with seasoned salt. Saute ground beef and onions in a large, deep skillet over medium-high heat until cooked. Drain.
  • Add garlic, broth, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, Worcestershire sauce, parsley, oregano, and bay leaves Stir well. Cover and allow to simmer for 10-12 minutes.
  • Add the uncooked elbow macaroni to skillet, stir well cover with lid and simmer for about 12-18 minutes more, or until noodles are tender.
  • Turn off heat, remove the bay leaves, and add shredded cheddar cheese. TIP. Place lid back on until cheese is melted.

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 419kcal | Carbohydrates: 27g | Protein: 35g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 92mg | Sodium: 587mg | Potassium: 583mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 210IU | Vitamin C: 1.2mg | Calcium: 185mg | Iron: 3.7mg

Nutritional Disclaimer: Family Fresh Meals is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is only an estimate. We recommend running the ingredients through an online nutritional calculator if you need to verify any information.

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Grandma's Easy Goulash Recipe -- Family Fresh Meals

4.84 from 18 votes (2 ratings without comment)

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30 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    This recipe is amazing! My family tried it and my super picky daughter went back for thirds. The melted cheese, oooooh lala so good! Keep the recipes coming. 🙂 Can’t wait to see what else you have.

    1. So happy the family loved it 🙂

  2. 4 stars
    I can’t believe that this is the first time that I am commenting on one of your recipes, Corey, because you have posted so many delicious ones. I made this goulash this evening and it was consumed and enjoyed by all. I have all boys at my home and am always looking for new recipes to keep everyone satisfied. Thank you so much!!

    1. Awwwwwwe, Kathleen! Thanks for such a lovely comment! I am so happy you are loving my recipes 🙂

  3. I can’t wait to try this! What type of tomatoes do you use? Crushed?

    1. You could use either. I have actually made it with both!

  4. Making this tonight for dinner! In step four, it says stir well the lid. Are you meaning with the lid or without?

    Thanks!

    1. You want to simmer with the lid on, yes.

  5. Teresa S. Sallee says:

    Do you have a lasagna sauce recipe?