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American Goulash is the ultimate comfort food, made in one pot for an easy, hassle-free meal. With hearty ground beef, flavorful onions and bell peppers, sweet tomatoes, and tender macaroni, you can have dinner ready in 30 minutes. This single serving version brings back childhood memories without any leftovers.
Pair this single serving goulash with a slice of warm French bread or buttery cornbread. Add some sautéed green beans for a complete meal.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Speedy: Have a warm meal on your table in just 30 minutes.
- Effortless: One pot means minimal dishes and cleanup.
- Versatile: Great for both meat lovers and vegetarians with simple swaps.
- Accessible: Made from ingredients you probably already have.
- Portion-Controlled: No worry about leftovers; it’s a single serving!
Difference Between Goulash And American Goulash
Traditional Hungarian Goulash is a beef stew flavored with paprika. American Goulash, on the other hand, uses a tomato-based sauce and includes macaroni. Both are comforting dishes but have different flavors and ingredients.
Ingredients
If you have any ingredients leftover from this easy Goulash recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder .
- Olive Oil: Extra virgin olive oil adds richness and depth of flavor to the dish. It’s the least processed and highest-quality option, retaining the true olive taste along with beneficial vitamins and minerals. For a milder flavor, you can use light olive oil instead.
- Onions, Bell Peppers, and Garlic: A trio of aromatic vegetables that infuse the goulash with layers of flavor. Don’t skip these as they are essential for a well-rounded taste. This delicious trio of vegetables can also be used in our Pepper Steak recipe or in a Philly Cheesesteak.
- Ground Beef: The main protein that adds a hearty touch. If you’re aiming for a lighter meal, ground turkey or plant-based meat are both suitable substitutes. If you have any ground beef leftover from this goulash recipe, consider using it in a small batch Sheet Pan Lasagna, Stuffed Peppers, or Taco Soup.
- Tomato Sauce: Opt for your preferred brand or make your own homemade tomato sauce.
- Diced Tomatoes: A 1/2-cup from a can will do. Leftover diced tomatoes can be used to make Spanish Rice, Chicken Paprika, and Chili.
- Pasta: While elbow macaroni is a classic choice for American Goulash, feel free to use whatever pasta you have readily available. Consider using leftover pasta in a small Macaroni Salad, Chili Mac, or Macaroni and Cheese.
Remember, you can always tweak these ingredients to suit your preferences or dietary needs, but these notes should give you a solid starting point.
Recipe Variations
Feel free to get creative with American Goulash. Add your own twist to make this classic dish your own.
- Spicy Goulash: Add a pinch or two of red pepper flakes or a dollop of sriracha to infuse a bit of heat into the dish.
- Vegetarian Goulash: Substitute the ground beef with plant-based meat or lentils for a meatless alternative that’s just as satisfying.
- Cheesy Goulash: Stir in some shredded cheddar or mozzarella during the last few minutes of cooking for a gooey, cheesy delight.
- Herb Infused: Fresh herbs like basil, thyme, or rosemary can add a sophisticated layer of flavor. Sprinkle them in during the last few minutes of cooking or as a garnish.
- Creamy Goulash: For a creamier texture, stir in a spoonful of sour cream or Greek yogurt just before serving. Make sure to lower the heat to avoid curdling.
How To Make Goulash For One
These step-by-step photos and instructions help you visualize how to make American Goulash. See the recipe below for ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions.
- 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
- Read the Recipe First: Before you start, read the whole recipe, including the Ingredient notes and process photos. This will help you understand each step and ensure your goulash turns out perfect.
- Cheesy Finish: Top your goulash with shredded cheese or a dollop of sour cream for extra flavor.
- Noodle Flexibility: Use any pasta you have on hand; it doesn’t have to be the one recommended in the recipe.
- Pasta Care: Stir the pasta occasionally while cooking to prevent it from sticking together.
- Boost the Flavor: Use chicken or beef broth instead of water to enhance the flavor of your goulash.
- Lighter Option: Substitute ground turkey for ground beef if you prefer a lighter version.
- Fresh Over Canned: Use a chopped fresh tomato instead of canned for a fresher taste.
- Scaling Up: Double the ingredients if you want to make more servings, perfect for meal prep or future dinners.
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely, doubling the recipe is great for meal prepping or to serve another person. Simply double the ingredient amounts and use a larger skillet to hold the additional ingredients.
Yes, you can freeze goulash. To prevent mushy noodles during reheating, undercook the macaroni slightly. Cool the goulash before transferring it to a freezer-safe container. Defrost in the refrigerator before reheating. Freezing is recommended for up to 3 months.
Yes, it stores well for up to two days in the fridge.
While it’s not mandatory to cook the noodles in the sauce, doing so infuses them with the dish’s rich flavors. If you plan to store goulash for later, you may want to keep the noodles separate and combine them before eating to maintain texture and flavor.
Yes! Use plant-based meat or lentils.
Ways To Use Leftover Ingredients
If you have any ingredients leftover from this recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder or you might like to consider using them in any of these single serving and small batch recipes:
If you would like additional information on the cooking and baking dishes I use in our “recipes for one”, please visit our FAQ page.
For examples of the dishes used at One Dish Kitchen, please visit our Store page.
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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Goulash For One
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ cup chopped onions
- ½ cup chopped green bell peppers
- 4 ounces ground beef
- 1 clove garlic
- ½ cup tomato sauce
- ½ cup canned diced tomatoes
- ½ cup water
- 2 ounces elbow macaroni
Instructions
- In a 10-inch 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, diced 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. Be sure to stir the pasta occasionally so that the noodles don't stick together.
- Transfer to a bowl and enjoy hot.
Notes
- Read the Recipe First: Before you start, read the whole recipe, including the Ingredient Notes and process photos. This will help you understand each step and ensure your goulash turns out perfect.
- Cheesy Finish: Top your goulash with shredded cheese or a dollop of sour cream for extra flavor.
- Noodle Flexibility: Use any pasta you have on hand; it doesn’t have to be the one recommended in the recipe.
- Pasta Care: Stir the pasta occasionally while cooking to prevent it from sticking together.
- Boost the Flavor: Use chicken or beef broth instead of water to enhance the flavor of your goulash.
- Lighter Option: Substitute ground turkey for ground beef if you prefer a lighter version.
- Fresh Over Canned: Use a chopped fresh tomato instead of canned for a fresher taste.
- Scaling Up: Double the ingredients if you want to make more servings, perfect for meal prep or future dinners.
Nutrition
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.
Are the canned diced tomatoes drained or with juice?
It doesn’t really matter—some of the juice will likely get into the dish, but a little more or less won’t make much of a difference. I just spoon the tomatoes from the can along with some of the juice.
Thank you! I’ll make this tomorrow.
Recipe is good, but I used the “for two” ingredient amounts, and it could have fed four or five people! I’m not eating a lot these days (medical issues), but my husband and I ate it twice and still threw a big serving away.
Thanks so much for trying the recipe and for your feedback. It sounds like your appetite is understandably a bit lower right now, which can definitely make portion sizes feel larger. I designed the recipe to be a satisfying single serving, so doubling it might result in a bit more than expected if you’re eating lighter meals. I appreciate you taking the time to comment, and I hope you and your husband enjoyed the flavors!
This is a really good recipe although I must admit I change it by replacing the pasta with quartered baby potatoes.
I’m so glad you enjoyed the recipe! Replacing the pasta with quartered baby potatoes sounds like a delicious twist. I love hearing how others make the recipes their own. Thanks for sharing your variation!
Changes I did used marina sauce, some cherry tomatoes and beef broth also cut back on the pasta. It was perfect for one with a little bit left for lunch tomorrow.
This is yummy. Added some Italian seasoning
I wasn’t sure about it but I had almost a half cup of homemade spaghetti sauce made with stewed tomatoes and 1/2 cup of the stewed tomatoes instead of regular tomatoes and gave it a shot. Turned out terrific!! I had leftover green and red pepper to use up too. I added 1/2 tsp of brown sugar. I thickened it a little with a tsp of flour and water Served it with a dab of sour cream. So good
This recipe is perfect. Made it as the recipe states, just added Italian seasoning, salt and pepper. I doubled the recipe, put it in 2 oven safe dishes, covered with cheddar cheese and put it in the oven to melt the cheese. One for supper tonight and 1 for freezing for another meal.
I had some leftover cooked ground beef so I decided to use it in this Goulash. It made plenty for the two of us plus some leftovers. I used spaghetti sauce (for the tomato sauce) and chicken broth (for the water) and it was delicious. It cooks quickly which is another big plus. Thanks for all the great recipes.
I’m so happy you enjoyed it – thank you!
Delicious. I didn’t change anything, except I added a dash of Worcestershire and subbed beed broth for the water.
Wonderful! I’m so happy you enjoyed it.