How long it takes: 10 minutes of prep, 3 hours to slow cook Equipment you’ll need: crockpot or slow cooker Servings: 8 Simple ingredients. Crockpot goulash is filled with ground beef, juicy tomatoes, tender elbow macaroni, and a whack of delicious spices, with sweet, smoky paprika coming out on top. Kid-friendly. This dish is savory, tangy, and even kid-friendly. Ask anyone in our family – we devoured my mom’s goulash on the regular while growing up. It’s a family heirloom that I know you’ll love, too. Adaptable. You can change up this homemade goulash recipe as many ways as you’d like. Try whole wheat pasta, or ground turkey in place of beef, or play with the veggies and seasonings to find a variation that suits you. Don’t forget to scroll for ideas.
What Is Goulash?
Goulash is a thick soup or stew that originated in Hungary. Traditional Hungarian goulash is similar to a beef stew, made from braised meat and veggies and flavored heavily with paprika. American-style goulash is made with ground beef, tomato sauce, and macaroni noodles, a bit like Hamburger Helper. While this American-style recipe isn’t too similar to its Hungarian cousin, it does have paprika (and deliciousness) in common.
Ingredient Notes
Ground Meat – Crockpot goulash calls for ground beef, or you can use ground turkey without too much difference in flavor. Onion and Bell Peppers – Diced yellow onion and diced green bell pepper. You can also make this recipe with red, yellow, or another colored bell pepper. Garlic Tomatoes – Low-sodium canned diced tomatoes and tomato sauce form the base of the sauce. Elbow Macaroni – While elbow macaroni is classic, you can use another short-cut pasta, like penne or ditalini (see the variations section for ideas). You can make this recipe with regular or whole-wheat pasta. Beef Broth – You can also use chicken stock or broth. I recommend the low-sodium kind. Worcestershire Sauce – For a hit of umami flavor. Soy sauce also works. Paprika – Paprika is the prominent flavor in goulash recipes. You can use sweet, smoked, or hot paprika depending on the flavor profile you’re after. Italian Seasoning – Use your favorite store-bought blend or homemade Italian seasoning. More Seasonings – Dried oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, and a bay leaf. Garnishes – Shredded cheese and freshly minced parsley, for topping.
Is Paprika Spicy?
Paprika is a vibrant red spice made from red peppers that have been dried and ground. Paprika can be sweet and mild, smoked, or fiery hot. Most of the paprika you’ll find in your local spice aisle is mild, but choose whichever kind you prefer.
How to Make Crockpot Goulash
If you’re looking for a tasty meal that requires very little hands-on time, this crockpot goulash is the answer. All it takes is a few quick steps to brown the meat and cook everything together: Cook the beef and veggies. Begin by sautéing the ground beef with onion and bell peppers. Season with salt and cook until the meat is nicely browned, then stir in the garlic to cook until fragrant. Add the beef mixture to your crockpot. Combine. Next, add the diced tomatoes and tomato sauce followed by the remaining ingredients and seasonings (aside from the garnishes). Give the crockpot contents a good stir. Cook. Cover and set the crock to cook on low for 4 to 5 hours, or on high for 2 to 3 hours. Add the pasta. About 30 minutes before the cooking time is up, stir in the dry macaroni. Switch the crockpot to high (if it’s not already set to high) and close the lid. After the 30 minutes are up, the pasta should be tender. If you choose a different type of pasta, it may take a longer cook time. Finish and serve. Pluck out the bay leaf and season the goulash to taste. At this point, you can stir shredded cheese right into the crockpot, or garnish individual bowls of goulash with cheese and parsley. All that’s left to do is dig in!
Tips for Success
It doesn’t get more straightforward than an old-fashioned crockpot dinner. Here are a few extra tips for the best slow cooker goulash: Only add the pasta 30 minutes before serving. Continuing to cook the macaroni after it’s become tender can result in a mushy goulash. If you’re not ready to add the pasta, turn your slow cooker to low or warm. Add the pasta 30 minutes before serving. If you have a multi-cooker, you can brown the ground meat and cook your goulash all in one pot.
Recipe Variations
Use another protein. As mentioned, beef is the traditional choice for goulash, but you can make your crockpot goulash with ground turkey, ground pork, or sausage. Shredded chicken is another leaner option. Vegetarian. To make a vegetarian goulash, omit the ground beef and substitute plant-based mince, or a can of kidney beans, cannellini beans, or chickpeas. Brown lentils are another good option. Different pasta. Instead of elbow macaroni, use regular or whole wheat penne, ditalini, cavatappi, farfalle, rigatoni, rotini, or another short pasta. If you like the idea of crockpot pasta dinners, be sure to try my crockpot spaghetti and crockpot mac and cheese. More vegetables. Add diced zucchini, chopped mushrooms, kale or spinach, sweet corn, or peas.
Serving Suggestions
A warm bowl of slow cooker goulash goes great with a fresh and leafy arugula salad and crusty French bread or Dutch oven bread for sopping up extra sauce. Roasted broccoli or snap peas also work wonderfully as a veggie side dish. For dessert, try a cozy slice of apple crisp or homemade pumpkin pie.
Make Ahead Tip
With a bit of prep, it’s easy to make this goulash recipe a dump-and-go crockpot meal. Brown the ground beef and vegetable mixture as directed, allow it to cool, and add it to an airtight container with the other ingredients (apart from the pasta). Refrigerate for up to 3 days, or freeze it for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to cook, dump everything into the crockpot and go ahead with the recipe, adding the pasta in the final 30 minutes of cooking time.
Storing & Reheating Leftovers
Fridge. Transfer any leftover goulash to an airtight container and refrigerate it for 3 to 4 days. Reheat individual portions gently in the microwave or larger amounts in a saucepan on the stovetop until warmed through. Freezer. This crockpot goulash keeps well in the freezer for up to 3 months. Defrost frozen goulash in the fridge before reheating. Note that the noodles may become softer once they’re thawed. Interested in weekly meal plans that include this recipe? Take a look at Meal Plan #54 and Meal Plan #57. You’ll find a wholesome recipe for each weekday plus a categorized grocery list. We add a new meal plan weekly. Quick-Start Guide!
