Old Classic Fashioned Goulash

 

A Hearty, Comforting American Classic Made the Old-Fashioned Way

Old Classic Fashioned Goulash is the ultimate comfort food—rich, hearty, and full of nostalgic flavor. This traditional American-style goulash (also known as American Chop Suey) combines tender ground beef, elbow macaroni, tomatoes, and warm spices into one satisfying, slow-simmered dish.

Perfect for family dinners, cold nights, meal prep, or feeding a crowd, this old-school goulash recipe is simple, budget-friendly, and packed with comforting flavor just like grandma used to make.

Why You’ll Love This Classic Goulash

•  One-pot, easy comfort food
•  Budget-friendly pantry ingredients
• Hearty and filling
•  Perfect for leftovers and meal prep
•  Old-fashioned flavor everyone loves

Ingredients

 Goulash Base

• 1 lb (450 g) ground beef
• 1 tablespoon olive oil (optional, if beef is lean)
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 green bell pepper, chopped

 Sauce

• 1 can (15 oz / 425 g) diced tomatoes
• 1 can (15 oz / 425 g) tomato sauce
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1½ cups beef broth or water

 Seasonings

• 1½ teaspoons paprika
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• ½ teaspoon sugar (optional, balances acidity)
• 1 bay leaf
• Optional: pinch of chili flakes

 Pasta

• 2 cups elbow macaroni (uncooked)

 Optional Toppings

• Shredded cheddar cheese
• Fresh parsley
• Crushed crackers

Step-by-Step Directions

1 Brown the Ground Beef

Heat a large pot or deep skillet over medium heat.

Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks.
Drain excess fat if needed.

Add olive oil if the meat is very lean.

2 Sauté the Vegetables

Add diced onion, bell pepper, and garlic to the pot.

Cook for 3–5 minutes until softened and fragrant, stirring occasionally.

This step builds the base flavor of the goulash.

3 Build the Sauce

Stir in:

• Diced tomatoes
• Tomato sauce
• Tomato paste
• Beef broth

Add paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, sugar, bay leaf, and chili flakes if using.

Mix well, bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low.

4 Simmer for Classic Flavor

Cover and let the goulash simmer for 15–20 minutes, stirring occasionally.

This allows the flavors to deepen and develop that old-fashioned taste.

5 Add the Macaroni

Stir in uncooked elbow macaroni.

Cover and simmer for 12–15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is tender.

Add more broth or water if needed.

6 Finish & Serve

Remove the bay leaf and taste for seasoning.

Serve hot and top with shredded cheese or parsley if desired.

Tips for the Best Old-Fashioned Goulash

• Don’t rush the simmer—flavor comes with time.
• Use elbow macaroni for the classic texture.
• Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
• Goulash thickens as it sits—add broth when reheating.
• Even better the next day!

Variations

• Cheesy Goulash: Stir in shredded cheddar at the end
• Spicy: Add cayenne or hot sauce
• Extra Meaty: Add sausage with the ground beef
• Vegetable-Heavy: Add mushrooms or zucchini

Storage & Reheating

• Refrigerator: Up to 4 days in an airtight container
• Freezer: Up to 3 months
• Reheat gently on the stovetop or microwave with a splash of water

Nutrition & Time

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Calories: ~480 per serving
• Servings: 4–5