Crock Pot American Goulash Recipe

Introduction

Crock Pot American Goulash is a comforting, one-pot meal that combines tender beef, hearty tomatoes, and tender pasta. It’s easy to prepare and perfect for busy weeknights when you want a warm, satisfying dinner with minimal effort.

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 small sweet onion, finely diced
• 1 green pepper, finely diced (optional)
• 2 teaspoons minced garlic
• 24 ounce jar pasta sauce (I like Rao’s Roasted Garlic Sauce)
• 8 ounce can tomato sauce
• 15 ounce can petite diced tomatoes
• 1 cup water
• 1 ½ teaspoons Italian seasoning
• 1 Tablespoon granulated sugar
• 1 cup uncooked elbow macaroni

Instructions

1. Step 1: Brown and crumble the ground beef in a large skillet along with the finely diced sweet onion and green pepper, if using. Cook until the beef is fully cooked and the vegetables are softened. Drain excess grease.
2. Step 2: Transfer the beef mixture to a 4-6 quart slow cooker.
3. Step 3: Stir in minced garlic, pasta sauce, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, water, Italian seasoning, and sugar. Do not add the macaroni yet.
4. Step 4: Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 2-4 hours, allowing the flavors to meld.
5. Step 5: About one hour before serving, stir in the uncooked elbow macaroni. Cover and continue cooking until the pasta is al dente or cooked to your preference.
6. Step 6: Serve warm, ideally with fresh garlic bread and a salad for a complete meal.

Tips & Variations

• For extra flavor, add a splash of Worcestershire sauce or a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes before cooking.
• Try swapping elbow macaroni for rotini or small shells if preferred.
• Use ground turkey or chicken for a leaner alternative to beef.
• If you like a thicker sauce, stir in a tablespoon of tomato paste along with the sauces.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. When reheating, add a splash of water or broth to loosen the sauce if it has thickened. You can also freeze portions for up to 2 months; thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I add the pasta at the beginning?

It’s best to add the uncooked pasta during the last hour of cooking to prevent it from becoming mushy.

Can I prepare this recipe without a slow cooker?

Yes, you can simmer all the ingredients (except pasta) in a large pot over low heat for about an hour, then add the pasta and cook until tender, stirring occasionally.

Crock Pot American Goulash Recipe

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★★★★★

4.4 from 73 reviews

This Crock Pot American Goulash is a comforting and hearty one-pot meal featuring ground beef, sweet onions, green peppers, and a medley of tomato sauces slowly simmered with Italian seasoning. The elbow macaroni is added towards the end for a perfect al dente texture. Easy to prepare and perfect for a cozy dinner served with garlic bread and salad.

• Author: Sana
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 7 hours (including macaroni cooking time)
• Total Time: 7 hours 15 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meat and Vegetables

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 small sweet onion, finely diced
• 1 green pepper, finely diced (optional)

Tomato Sauces and Seasoning

• 2 teaspoons minced garlic
• 24 ounce jar pasta sauce (I like Rao’s Roasted Garlic Sauce)
• 8 ounce can tomato sauce
• 15 ounce can petite diced tomatoes
• 1 cup water
• 1 ½ teaspoons Italian seasoning
• 1 Tablespoon granulated sugar

Pasta

• 1 cup uncooked elbow macaroni

Instructions

1. Brown the Beef and Vegetables: In a large skillet, brown and crumble 1 pound ground beef along with the finely diced sweet onion and green pepper. Cook until the beef is fully cooked and the onions and peppers soften. Drain any excess grease to keep the dish from being too oily.
2. Transfer to Slow Cooker: Place the cooked ground beef mixture into a 4-6 quart slow cooker, setting the stage for slow simmering of flavors.
3. Add Sauces and Seasonings: Stir in minced garlic, pasta sauce, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, water, Italian seasoning, and granulated sugar. Do not add the macaroni at this point as it will cook later for optimal texture.
4. Slow Cook: Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 2-4 hours to allow all the flavors to meld, stirring occasionally if needed.
5. Add Macaroni: About 1 hour before the cooking time ends, stir in the uncooked elbow macaroni. Cover and continue cooking until the noodles are al dente or reach your preferred softness.
6. Serve: Once the pasta is cooked through, serve the goulash hot. It’s perfect alongside fresh garlic bread and a crisp salad for a complete meal.

Notes

• For a leaner option, use lean ground beef or ground turkey.
• You can omit the green pepper if preferred or substitute with another vegetable like mushrooms.
• Adjust Italian seasoning and sugar to taste, depending on the acidity of your tomato sauces.
• If you like your pasta softer, cook the macaroni for a bit longer after adding.
• Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and freeze nicely for up to 2 months.

Keywords: Crock Pot Goulash, American Goulash, Slow Cooker Recipes, One Pot Meals, Comfort Food