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Make authentic American Goulash with this foolproof recipe. Packed with rich traditional flavor, step-by-step photos, and cooking tips by Denisiya on EatMee Recipes.

American goulash, is an American solace nourishment dish, similar to American chop suey. It is also known as Beef & Mac, Kentucky Burgoo, Traveling Man’s Hash & Slum Gumption.
It is typically alluded to in the Midwestern & southern United States as just “goulash“. In the Inland Northwest around Spokane, it is a typical school & home dish basically called “macaroni ground hamburger & tomato”. As a relative, of sorts, of Hungarian goulash, the main genuine association is by all accounts the name, & the incorporation of meat & paprika.
Defrost mince (ground beef/lamb) & set aside.

Chop onion & set aside.

Chop tomatoes & set aside.

Chop green bell pepper & set aside.

Heat the oil in a pot & add in the onions.

Thereafter, add in the bay leaves, chilli flakes & thyme.

Mix & allow to simmer until onions are translucent.

Once onions are translucent, add in the turmeric powder, curry powder & chilli powder or paprika. Give it a stir.

Add in the ginger & garlic paste.

Mix & allow to simmer for 2 minutes. Add a dash of water if the spices tend to stick to the surface of the pot.
Add in the mince (ground beef/lamb).

Stir well & allow for the mince (ground beef/lamb) to brown.

Once the mince has browned, drop in the green bell pepper.

Thereafter add in the chopped tomatoes.

Then add in the tomato sauce (ketchup).

Mix & drop in the chicken stock.

Mix well & allow to cook until tomatoes are soft. (±10 minutes). It should form a nice thick gravy.

When the tomatoes have cooked, add in the mixed dried herbs & stir until combined.

Next add in the uncooked pasta.

Mix well coating all the pasta shells.

Add more chicken stock or water if it dries out. Allow pasta to cook until al dente (not too hard & not too soft). Overcooked pasta will make this dish very mushy.

When the pasta is cooked, add salt to taste & add in grated cheese if desired.

Mix until all the cheese is melted & combined.

Serve whilst hot.

Can be refrigerated & re-heated.

Stores in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Expert kitchen guidance and troubleshooting for making the best American Goulash
Absolutely! You can easily tailor the heat by increasing or reducing the chili powder and fresh chilies to suit your family’s palate without compromising the authentic flavor profile.
Yes, you can freeze American Goulash in an airtight, freezer-safe container for up to 2 to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before gently reheating.
Reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat with a splash of water, or in the microwave covered with a damp paper towel to retain moisture.

Hi, I'm Denisiya! Food lover, recipe developer, and founder of EatMee Recipes. I specialize in authentic South African Durban Indian cuisine, comforting curries, and modern Instant Pot adaptations. Every recipe on this site is tested in my personal kitchen to ensure you get mouth-watering, foolproof results every time.
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