One Pot Goulash Recipe

If you are looking for a delicious, quick, and easy dinner recipe for two people you are going to love this one pot Goulash recipe. This flavorful meal is the ultimate comfort food recipe made with seasoned ground beef and pasta cooked in a thick tomato sauce.

Best of all it is made entirely in one pot. The beef gets browned and everything else gets piled in to simmer together until the noodles become tender.

From start to finish this recipe is made and on the table, ready to eat in less than 30 minutes. It is the perfect recipe when you don’t have a lot of time to spend in the kitchen or if you are looking for a hearty and filling dinner.

What Is Goulash?

Depending where you are from the term Goulash can take on several different meanings. For instance in Hungary this dish consists of chunks of beef that are cooked low and slow with various spices and turned into a hearty stew.

The stew is then typically served with egg noodles or dumplings. Although there are some various ways to make it, it is a classic comfort food meal that is serve in both homes and restaurants.

Although American Goulash can also be made with a variety of ingredients, it most often consists of ground beef and macaroni noodles cooked in a thick tomato sauce. It is also considered a comfort food meal and is commonly served in school cafeterias and households across the country.

Ingredients Required

Ground Beef (1/2 pound): Because this One Pot Goulash recipe is designed for two, you will only need 1/2 pound of ground beef. Choose a lean ground beef and you won’t even have to drain it before adding the other ingredients. Hint – Use the other half of the ground beef to make Ground Beef Stroganoff.

Onion (1/4 cup, diced): If you don’t feel like measuring out the diced onion use 1/4 of a medium size onion.

Bell Pepper (1/2, diced): You can choose between green, red or yellow bell pepper.

Seasonings

Garlic (1 clove, minced): If you don’t have fresh garlic on hand you can use jarred minced garlic or garlic powder. 1 clove garlic = 1/2 teaspoon jarred minced garlic = 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder.

Seasoned Salt (3/4 teaspoon): Seasoned salt is a blend of salt and various seasonings. If you don’t have seasoned salt on hand, use 1/2 teaspoon of Kosher salt (more or less to taste).

Italian Seasoning (1 teaspoon): Italian seasoning is a mix of herbs that includes basil, oregano, and thyme. If you don’t have dry Italian seasoning, add 1/3 teaspoon of each of the individual herbs to your Goulash.

Worcestershire Sauce (1 Tablespoon): This surprise ingredient adds great flavor to the dish.

Other Ingredients

Petite Diced Tomatoes (7.5 ounces): Instead of opting for standard diced tomatoes, use petite diced tomatoes. The smaller size is not only easier to eat, but it is the perfect balance in size to the other ingredients.

Frozen Corn (1/2 cup): For a little extra nutrition and crunch add sweet corn kernels. I prefer to use frozen corn instead of opening up canned corn, but you could use either.

Beef Broth (1 cup): Beef broth serves as the liquid base for the goulash and is the reason that you can make this dish in one pot instead of boiling the pasta in a separate pan.

Tomato Sauce (7.5 ounces): Tomato sauce is what gives this dish a rich and tangy base.

Pasta

Dry Elbow Noodles (3/4 cup): Although you can use a variety of pasta in this dish, elbow noodles are the perfect size and texture to allow the other ingredients to adhere to the surface.

Goulash Easy One Pot Recipe – Ready In 30 Minutes

Now that you know what ingredients that you need to make goulash here are the steps on how to make this easy one pot recipe.

1. Cook the Beef: In a medium-sized pot, brown the ground beef, onion, and bell pepper over medium-high heat. Once the beef is cooked through, drain any excess fat and return the mixture to the pot.

2. Season and Saute: Stir in the garlic, Italian seasoning, seasoned salt, and Worcestershire sauce. Saute for about a minute, allowing the flavors to meld.

3. Add The Tomatoes, Corn & Broth: Mix in the diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, corn, and beef broth. Season with salt and pepper to taste and bring to a simmer.

4. Add The Noodles: Once the mixture comes to a simmer add the dry elbow noodles. Stir and cover with a lid, and let it cook for about 10 minutes. Remember to stir occasionally to prevent the noodles from sticking to the pot. If needed, add more liquid to reach the desired consistency.

Common Recipe Variations

This One Pot Goulash For Two is not only delicious but also versatile. Here are some common recipe variations:

• Ground Chicken or Turkey: For a lighter option, replace the ground beef with ground chicken or turkey. Just be sure to add a little oil to the pot so that the leaner meats don’t stick to the bottom.
• Gluten-Free Goulash: If you’re gluten-sensitive or following a gluten-free diet, choose gluten-free elbow noodles.
• Spicy Goulash: Add some heat to your goulash by adding red pepper flakes, diced jalapeños, or a dash of hot sauce. Adjust the level of spiciness to your preference.
• Vegetarian/Vegan Goulash: To make this dish entirely plant-based, use plant based ground meat substitutes, and vegetable broth instead of beef broth. Be sure to use a vegan friendly Worcestershire sauce and pasta.

How to Store and Reheat Leftovers

If you have any leftovers store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. When reheating, add a little water or beef broth to prevent it from becoming too thick as the pasta will absorb the liquid when stored.

Can You Freeze One Pot Goulash?

While you can freeze goulash, keep in mind that the noodles may become somewhat mushy when thawed and reheated. If you don’t mind the texture change, go ahead and freeze it in an airtight container for a quick and satisfying meal whenever you need one.

One Pot Goulash Recipe For Two

*A printable recipe card is located at the bottom of this article which contains the specific measurements, temperatures and cook times. However, continue reading below to learn about more helpful tips about this specific recipe.

INGREDIENTS

• 1/2 pound ground beef
• 1/4 cup chopped onion
• 1/2 bell pepper, diced
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 3/4 teaspoon seasoned salt
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 7.5 ounces petite diced tomatoes (approximately 1/2 can)
• 1/2 cup frozen corn
• 1 cup beef broth (1/2 cup more if needed)
• 7.5 ounces tomato sauce (approximately 1/2 can)
• 3/4 cup dry elbow noodles
• Salt and fresh ground black pepper, to taste

INSTRUCTIONS

In a medium size pot, cook the ground beef, onion, and pepper over medium-high heat or until the ground beef is completely brown. Then drain and return the mixture to the pot.

Stir in the garlic, Italian seasoning, seasoned salt, and Worcestershire sauce. Cook, stirring frequently for 1 minute.

Stir in the diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, corn, and broth. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Bring the mixture to a light simmer and then add the dry elbow noodles. Stir and cover with a lid.

Let cook 10 minutes, or until the noodles are tender, stirring halfway to prevent noodles from sticking to the bottom of the pot, adding more liquid as needed.

Enjoy! Mary

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