Goulash For One

This American Goulash is an easy, one-pot meal made with ground beef, onions, bell peppers, tomatoes, and macaroni. It’s a simple skillet dish that can be ready in 30 minutes.

American goulash is a one-pot meal made with ground beef, vegetables and macaroni which simmer in a tomato based sauce.

It’s a quick dinner that can be ready and enjoyed in 30 minutes. It’s also sometimes called simply “goulash”, “DIY Hamburger Helper” or “American Chop Suey”.

Why This Recipe Works

This classic goulash is single serving comfort food at its finest! It’s a dish that reminds me of my childhood since my mother made it often when I was growing up.

Goulash is quick to make, so delicious, and everything cooks in one pot for easy cleanup.

This old fashioned goulash recipe is a wonderful one to use if you have leftover marinara or tomato sauce. You can also add in additional vegetable such as mushrooms or spinach.

Ingredient Notes

See recipe box below for ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions.

• Olive oil: I use extra virgin olive oil in this goulash recipe as well as in every other recipe on One Dish Kitchen that calls for olive oil. Extra virgin olive oil is the least processed form of olive oil. It is an unrefined oil and the highest-quality olive oil you can buy. Because of the way extra virgin olive oil is made, it retains more true olive taste. It also contains more of the vitamins and minerals found in olives. It’s my favorite type of olive oil to use but you may use a lighter olive oil instead.
• Onions, bell peppers, and garlic: These chopped vegetables add quite a lot of flavor to goulash, definitely don’t leave them out.
• Ground beef: You may use ground turkey instead for a lighter version.
• Tomato sauce: Use your favorite brand of tomato sauce or make your own tomato sauce with our recipe.
• Diced tomatoes: Use 1/2-cup of canned diced tomatoes. See below for ways to use any that you might have leftover.
• Water: Helps to thin the sauce a bit.
• Pasta: Use the type of pasta you have on hand. I love using elbow macaroni in this recipe.

How To Make This Recipe

• In a skillet over medium-high heat, heat oil 30 seconds. Add onions and peppers and cook, stirring occasionally, 3 minutes until tender.
• Add garlic and ground beef, breaking up the ground beef as it cooks. Cook, stirring occasionally until meat is no longer pink and is starting to brown, 5 minutes.

• Stir in tomato sauce, tomatoes and water and bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to low and simmer 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.

• Add the pasta, cover, and simmer over low heat until pasta is tender, 15 minutes.
• Transfer to a bowl and enjoy hot.

Expert Tips

• Feel free to add shredded cheese and sour cream to the top of goulash.
• You can use a different type of noodle than what is suggested in this recipe. Use what you have on hand.
• Don’t forget to stir the noodles every now and then so that the pasta doesn’t stick together.
• Add more flavor to this goulash by using chicken or beef broth instead of water in this recipe.
• Use ground turkey instead of ground beef for a lighter version.
• Chop and use a fresh tomato instead of using canned tomatoes.
• You can easily double the ingredients in this goulash recipe and it will be enough for two or possibly more meals.

Frequently Asked Questions

Serving Suggestions

Goulash is a one pot meal which means it’s packed with everything you’d want for one meal already. If you’d like to add something else, I would suggest any of these single serving recipes:

• Cornbread
• Irish Soda Bread
• Simple Avocado Salad

What To Do With Leftover Ingredients

Click on the recipe titles to go straight to the recipes.

Diced Tomatoes

You will only need to use 1/2-cup of diced tomatoes in this easy goulash recipe. You can make a quick salsa by adding chopped onions, chopped green peppers, a touch of salt, lime juice, and black pepper to the remaining diced tomatoes. Serve with homemade tortilla chips.

You can also use them in:

• Jambalaya For One
• Chili Cheese Baked Potato

Elbow Macaroni

You will use 2-ounces of macaroni so you might like to use the rest in any of these single serving recipes:

• Macaroni and Cheese
• Shrimp and Prosciutto Pasta
• Tuna Noodle Casserole

Ground Beef

You might consider using any leftover ground beef in any of these recipes:

• Beef and Cheese Pita Pizza
• Taco Salad
• Salisbury Steak
• Mini Meatloaf
• Classic Chili

Bell Peppers

You will need to use 1/2-cup of chopped peppers. You may like to use the rest in any of these single serving recipes.

• Shrimp Creole
• Gumbo
• Red Beans and Rice

For this goulash recipe I use a 10-inch skillet. For best results, use a pan of similar size.

If you would like additional information on the cooking and baking dishes I use in our “recipes for one”, please visit our FAQ page.

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If you’ve tried this goulash recipe or any recipe on One Dish Kitchen please let me know how you liked it by rating the recipe and telling me about it in the comment section below.

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