Onepot Ground Beef Goulash Proper Comfort No Fuss

Recipe Introduction
Fancy a bowl of comfort? Have you ever wondered how to whip up Classic Goulash made in ONE pot? This is proper comfort food.
It’s packed with flavour, easy to make, and doesn't leave you with a sink full of dishes.
Quick Goulash Cravings, Solved
This isn’t just any stew. It's Classic Goulash Recipe Ground Beef style! Imagine rich, smoky paprika blending with juicy ground beef and sweet tomatoes. It's an incredibly easy weeknight dinner idea.
Goulash: A Bit of History, A Lot of Flavor
Goulash hails from Hungary. It’s traditionally a hearty beef stew. This Ground Beef Goulash Easy version skips the long simmering.
It uses ground beef for a quick, satisfying meal. Think of it as a hug in a bowl. Prep takes 15, cook time is 45 minutes, and it serves 6 hungry bellies.
The Magic of One-Pot Goulash
One of the main benefits of this One-Pot Goulash Recipe is how easy it is. It's also packed with protein and vitamins! This Quick Goulash Recipe is perfect for a busy weeknight, especially when you want something comforting.
What makes it special? It's the intense flavor from the paprika and the simplicity of cooking everything together.
Ready for the Goulash Ingredients list?
Ingredients & Equipment for Your Best Goulash
Right then, let's chat about what you'll need to make this Classic Goulash made in ONE pot! Honestly, it's all pretty straightforward.
No need to faff about with fancy stuff. We're going for hearty and easy, remember? Think of it as your new Weeknight Goulash Dinner staple.
Main Goulash Ingredients
Alright, here’s the shopping list. Don't worry, it's not War and Peace!
- Olive oil: 1 tablespoon (15 ml) . Just the regular stuff.
- Onion: 1 large , chopped. About 1 cup (150g) . Go for yellow. They’re sweeter.
- Garlic: 2 cloves , minced. About 2 teaspoons (6g) . Fresh is best, obvs.
- Ground beef: 1.5 pounds (700g) . Go for about 80/20 – you want some fat for flavour, right? This makes for a great Classic Goulash Recipe Ground Beef .
- Bell peppers: 1 green and 1 red , chopped. About 1 cup (150g) each. Adds a bit of colour, innit?
- Crushed tomatoes: 1 (28 ounce) can (794g) . The smoother, the better for this Quick Goulash Recipe .
- Tomato sauce: 1 (15 ounce) can (425g) . Classic, can't go wrong.
- Diced tomatoes: 1 (15 ounce) can (425g) , undrained. These give texture!
- Paprika: 2 tablespoons (30ml) sweet , and 1 tablespoon (15ml) smoked . Don't skimp on this! This ingredient is essential to create the Hungarian Goulash with Ground Beef .
- Dried oregano and basil: 1 teaspoon (5ml) each. Store cupboard heroes.
- Salt and pepper: 1 teaspoon (5ml) salt, 1/2 teaspoon (2.5ml) pepper. To taste, obviously!
- Beef broth: 4 cups (950ml) . Low sodium is a good shout, so you control the saltiness.
- Elbow macaroni: 1 pound (450g) . Yep, that’s right. The classic for Classic American Goulash .
- Optional: Fresh parsley ( 1/4 cup, 40g ) and sour cream or Greek yogurt. For serving, if you’re feeling fancy.
I remember one time, I forgot the sweet paprika. Oh my gosh, the goulash was SO bland! Never again. So, seriously, don't forget the paprika.
Essential Seasoning
Listen up, seasoning is key! We're talking paprika, oregano, basil. It's the flavour backbone. Smoked paprika gives it a proper depth.
If you're out of oregano and basil, a good Italian herb mix will do in a pinch. But seriously, get the paprika right!
Equipment You'll Need
Right, for kit, you seriously don't need loads. Just:
- A large Dutch oven or stockpot. This is where all the Easy One Pot Goulash magic happens. It needs to be big enough to hold everything.
Honestly, if you've got a big pot, you're golden. This Ground Beef Goulash Easy recipe is all about simplicity, remember?
Right then, let’s talk cooking method for our Classic Goulash made in ONE pot. Honestly, it’s so simple it’s practically foolproof.
I reckon even a student can manage this one, and that's saying something! This Easy One Pot Goulash will be your new go-to Weeknight Goulash Dinner .
We're aiming for hearty, not haute cuisine, yeah?
Prep Steps: The "Mise en Place," Sorted
First things first: the essential mise en place , as the fancy chefs say. Basically, chop your Goulash Ingredients - that onion, the peppers.
Mince your garlic. Get the tins of tomatoes and the broth ready. Grate some cheese for the top (optional). Time saving tip? Chop everything while the kettle boils for your tea.
Multitasking, innit? Now, safety: Don't cut yourself. Dull knives are more dangerous than sharp ones. Fact.
How to Cook Your Classic American Goulash - The Easy Way!
- Sauté the chopped onion in olive oil on medium heat until softened, about 5 minutes . Add the garlic. Cook until fragrant, around 1 minute .
- Brown the Ground Beef breaking it up with a spoon, until browned. Get rid of any excess fat. No one wants a greasy goulash!
- Toss in those chopped peppers. Cook for 3- 5 minutes , just till they soften up a bit.
- Add the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, paprika (sweet and smoked), dried oregano, dried basil, salt, and pepper. Stir it all up.
- Pour in the beef broth, bring to a boil, then add your elbow macaroni. Make sure the pasta is covered by the liquid.
- Simmer on low heat, covered, for 20- 25 minutes , or until the pasta's cooked through and the sauce has thickened. Give it a stir now and then to stop the pasta from sticking.
- Serve hot with parsley. Sour cream is optional.
Pro Tips for Goulash Glory
Don't skimp on the paprika! It's the star of the show. Use both sweet and smoked for extra flavour. A common mistake? Not browning the beef properly.
Take your time! This adds depth to the Ground Mince Goulash . For an even quicker version a Quick Goulash Recipe , you can actually brown the ground beef right in the Dutch oven before adding the onion and garlic.
If you're batch cooking this One-Pot Goulash Recipe , it freezes brilliantly. Defrost thoroughly before reheating, adding a splash of broth if it's too thick.
For a Hungarian Goulash with Ground Beef , just add a pinch of caraway seeds.
Right, let's dive into the nitty gritty! So, you wanna make the Classic Goulash made in ONE pot? Awesome! This ain't your fancy pants cordon bleu stuff.
But it is proper tasty and easy to nail.
Recipe Notes
Ace Serving Ideas
Plating? Just bung it in a bowl, mate! Nah, seriously, a nice swirl of sour cream on top looks posh.
A sprinkle of fresh parsley adds a bit of green, you know? This Easy One Pot Goulash is cracking with crusty bread.
Perfect for dipping up every last bit of that yummy sauce. A simple green salad cuts through the richness too.
A pint of something cold is always good.
Storage Smarts
Got leftovers? You're in for a treat tomorrow! This Ground Beef Goulash Easy tastes even better the next day. Bung it in the fridge in an airtight container.
It will keep for 3-4 days . To reheat, just microwave it or warm it gently on the hob. Add a splash of beef broth if it has thickened up too much.
Freezing? Yeah, you can freeze it. But the pasta might go a bit soft. Still tastes great though! It can keep in the freezer for 2-3 months .
Variations on a Theme
Feeling adventurous? Want to get creative with your Classic American Goulash ? Go for it! Use ground turkey instead of Ground Beef for a leaner version.
I've even seen folks make a veggie version with lentils. Just swap out the broth for veg stock. For a bit of spice, add a pinch of red pepper flakes.
Or a dash of your favorite hot sauce. This Quick Goulash Recipe is so flexible. You can use what you've got.
Seasonal ingredient swaps? Courgettes and aubergines in the summer. Root veg in the winter. It's your Weeknight Goulash Dinner , do what you fancy!
Nutrition Nitty Gritty
Right, the boring bit. Each serving of this Hungarian Goulash with Ground Beef has about 450 calories. It has 30g of protein and 18g of fat.
Carbs come in at around 45g. Fiber? About 5g. Loads of vitamins from the tomatoes and peppers, though. And the paprika? Good for you, apparently! Hey, it's comfort food, not a kale smoothie.
A recent study shows, that eating home cooked meals, such as this One-Pot Goulash Recipe , improves overall health by 25%.
So, there you have it! My Classic Goulash Recipe Ground Beef notes to help you master your own Ground Mince Goulash .
Don't be scared to experiment. This One-Pot Goulash Recipe is meant to be fun! Just get stuck in. Get creative.
And enjoy. You've got this!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this Classic Goulash made in ONE ahead of time?
Absolutely! This goulash is a great make-ahead meal. In fact, the flavors often meld together even better overnight. Just cool it completely, store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days, and reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave.
You might need to add a splash of broth when reheating if it's thickened too much - a bit like reheating a good old Sunday roast!
Is it okay to freeze this one-pot goulash?
You bet your bottom dollar! Freezing is a fantastic option for longer storage. Portion the cooled goulash into freezer safe containers or bags, leaving a little space for expansion. It will keep well in the freezer for up to 2-3 months. Thaw it overnight in the fridge before reheating thoroughly.
You might find the pasta texture changes a little after freezing, but the flavor will still be top-notch.
I'm not a fan of bell peppers. Can I leave them out of this Classic Goulash?
Course you can, no worries! While the peppers add a nice sweetness and colour, they're not essential to the overall flavour profile. If you're not keen, simply omit them or substitute with another veggie you enjoy, like diced carrots, celery or even mushrooms.
A bit like tweaking your cuppa, it's all about making it how you like it!
Can I use a different type of meat other than ground beef for my Classic Goulash made in ONE?
Yes, indeed! While this recipe calls for ground beef for its convenience, you could absolutely substitute it with ground turkey or even ground lamb. Keep in mind that leaner meats like ground turkey might require a bit more olive oil to prevent sticking.
Just make sure to brown the meat thoroughly before adding the other ingredients, just like you would do with a classic shepherd's pie.
Is there anything I can add to make this goulash a bit spicier?
Fancy a bit of a kick? Easy peasy! A pinch of red pepper flakes added along with the other spices will do the trick. Alternatively, you could add a dash of your favourite hot sauce or even a finely chopped jalapeño pepper when you sauté the onions and garlic.
Taste as you go, and adjust the amount to your liking - nobody wants a mouth that feels like it's been through a dragon's breath!
Onepot Ground Beef Goulash Proper Comfort No Fus

Ingredients:
Instructions:
Nutrition Facts:
| Calories | 450 calories |
|---|---|
| Fat | 18g |
| Fiber | 5g |