Crockpot Goulash (Slow Cooker American Goulash)

Rich • Meaty • Comforting • One-Pot Perfection

This Crockpot Goulash is a cozy, slow-cooked classic made with ground beef, tomatoes, seasonings, and tender pasta. It’s effortless, budget-friendly, and perfect for feeding a crowd or prepping meals for the week. The slow cooker brings out deep, savory flavors that taste even better the next day!

INGREDIENTS

Meat & Aromatics

1 ½ lbs ground beef
1 medium onion, diced
3–4 cloves garlic, minced

Sauce Base

1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce
1 (28 oz) can diced tomatoes
1 (15 oz) can crushed tomatoes
2 cups beef broth
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon soy sauce (optional but boosts flavor)

Seasonings

1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
½ teaspoon black pepper
Salt to taste
1–2 bay leaves

Pasta

2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni (added at the end)

Optional Mix-Ins

1 cup shredded cheddar (for cheesy goulash)
1 diced bell pepper
½ cup corn
Red pepper flakes (for heat)

Garnish (Optional)

Fresh parsley
Shredded cheese
A dollop of sour cream

INSTRUCTIONS — FULL STEP-BY-STEP

1 Brown the Beef

(You can skip browning, but it makes the flavor much better.)

In a skillet, cook ground beef over medium-high heat.
Add diced onion and cook until soft.
Add minced garlic and cook 30 seconds.
Drain excess grease.
Transfer the beef mixture to your Crockpot.

2 Build the Goulash Base

Add the following to the slow cooker:

Tomato sauce
Crushed tomatoes
Diced tomatoes
Beef broth
Worcestershire sauce
Soy sauce
Italian seasoning
Paprika
Garlic powder
Onion powder
Salt & pepper
Bay leaves

Stir everything well.

3 Slow Cook

Cook on:

LOW for 6–7 hours
or
HIGH for 3–4 hours

This allows the flavors to blend beautifully.

4 Add the Pasta

About 20–30 minutes before serving:

Stir in uncooked elbow macaroni.
Cook until the pasta is tender.
(Check at 20 minutes; add more broth if needed.)

5 Make It Cheesy (Optional but amazing)

When pasta is done, stir in:

1 cup shredded cheddar

It melts into a creamy, comforting goulash.

6 Serve

Remove bay leaves and serve hot.

Top with:

Fresh parsley
More cheese
Sour cream
Pepper flakes

SERVING IDEAS

Pair with:

Garlic bread
Green salad
Cornbread
Roasted vegetables

Great for:

Busy weeknights
Potlucks
Meal prep
Freezer-friendly leftovers

TIPS & VARIATIONS

Hungarian-Style Twist

Add:

1 tablespoon sweet paprika
1 cup sliced bell peppers
A splash of vinegar or lemon juice at the end

Veggie-Loaded Version

Add during cooking:

Carrots
Zucchini
Mushrooms

Make It Spicy