American Goulash — Ad-Free Recipe, Ingredients First

Grass-fed beef and a good canned tomato build a sauce with real depth. This is not Hungarian goulash but the American diner version, cooked start to finish in one pot. Use real sweet paprika and stir it into the fat off the high heat, since paprika scorches fast and turns bitter against a screaming pan.

The Ingredients — and where to get them

Cook for 6 servings

Ground beef

Grass-fed beef browns deep and anchors the sauce.

1.5 lb

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Elbow macaroni

Elbows cook right in the sauce and soak up the tomato.

12 oz

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Canned tomatoes

A good canned tomato plus paste is the body of the sauce.

1 can (28 oz)

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Beef bone broth

Broth thins the sauce enough to cook the pasta through.

2 cups

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Cheddar cheese

A handful of cheddar stirred in at the end enriches the pot.

1 cup

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Sweet paprika

Real Hungarian-style paprika is the defining spice; add it off high heat.

2 tbsp

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Onion, garlic, bell pepper

The aromatic base cooked down with the beef.

2 cups total

Onion → Garlic →

Using ground beef? It behaves the way it does for a reason — what this cut is for and how to cook it →

The Rundown

Greedometer ●●●●● Squeaky clean

About as virtuous as dinner gets.

EffortSome doing

Cook it with

Instant PotSlow cookerOne-pot

The Method

Brown the beefCook beef with onion, pepper, and garlic over medium-high until browned, about 8 minutes.
Add the paprikaPull the pot off high heat and stir in the paprika so it blooms in the fat without scorching.
Build the sauceAdd the tomatoes, a spoon of tomato paste, and the broth, and bring to a simmer.
Cook the pastaStir in the macaroni and simmer 14-16 minutes, stirring often, until the pasta is tender and the sauce clings.
FinishOff the heat, stir in the cheddar until melted and season with salt and pepper.

The Toolkit

Dutch oven · Wooden spoon · Box grater · Chef knife

Straight Answers

Can you make American Goulash in an air fryer? — Yes, with an insert

Not on its own — an air fryer can’t hold a pool of liquid. You can simmer it in an oven-safe dish or a silicone insert made to fit the basket, but the broth won’t reduce or brown the way it does on the stove, and that insert comes out scorching, so use oven mitts. For real depth, a pot on the stove wins.

Can you freeze American Goulash? — Yes

Yes — it freezes well. Cool it fully, portion into airtight containers, and it keeps a few months; thaw in the fridge and reheat gently.

Can you make American Goulash ahead of time? — Yes

Yes — it holds well and often tastes better the next day. Make it ahead and reheat gently before serving.

Is American Goulash gluten-free? — Not as written

Not as written — it contains gluten. Make it gluten-free: swap in a gluten-free pasta or noodle (check the other labels too).

Is American Goulash vegan? — No

No — it contains meat, so it isn’t vegetarian or vegan.

Community Notes

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© 2026 5best2buy.com · Recipe No.611

American Goulash, and where to source it