Loaded with beef, sausage, and hearty potatoes, this old-fashioned goulash is serious comfort food. Packed with flavor and easy enough for a weeknight dinner.
There's nothing quite like a big, steaming bowl of hearty goulash to warm you up and fill you up. This version combines savory ground beef and Italian sausage with tender potatoes, onions, and a rich tomato sauce. It's easy, filling, and perfect for feeding a hungry crowd or stocking the fridge with leftovers.
But wait - what exactly it a goulash? Goulash is classic comfort food with roots in Hungarian cooking, but the American version has taken on a life of its own. It;s become a catch-all term for a hearty stew served over pasta or noodles. It's one of those "clean out the fridge" type of meals that you can make a million different ways with whateer you have on hand.
This goulash hits all the comfort‑food buttons: juicy seasoned meat, soft cubes of red potato, and a fragrant tomato sauce spiced with cumin, garlic powder, parsley, and oregano. It's simple enough for a weeknight meal but hearty enough for family dinner.
Tips for the Best Goulash
- Cut the potatoes evenly - This ensures they cook at the same rate and don't end up mushy or underdone.
- Simmer gently - Once the potatoes and sauce are in, keep the heat at a low simmer to let the flavors meld without overcooking.
- Cook the pasta separately - This keeps the noodles from soaking up too much liquid or becoming mushy.
- Make it ahead - Goulash tastes even better the next day after the flavors have had time to deepen. Store the pasta and goulash separately for best texture when reheating.
Easy Variations
- Swap the meat - Use ground turkey, chicken, or even plant-based crumbles if you'd like a lighter version.
- Add veggies - Bell peppers, zucchini, mushrooms, or corn make great additions for extra color and nutrition.
- Make it cheesy - Stir in a handful of shredded cheddar or mozzarella at the end for a creamy, cheesy twist.
- Spice it up - Add red pepper flakes, a dash of hot sauce, or a pinch of cayenne for some heat.
- Low-carb version - Skip the pasta and serve the goulash over roasted cauliflower or steamed veggies.
If you're a pasta lover, you know there are a gazillion pasta recipes out there that are worthy of serving at your dinner table. We've shared several on All She Cooks that we feel the same about: Spicy Sausage Pasta Bake, Mushroom Bowtie Pasta, Cheesy Butternut Squash Pasta Bake--just to name a few.
All of them are amazing served up alongside Copycat Rosemary Bread or Copycat Olive Garden Breadsticks and Italian Chopped Salad.
More Tasty Recipes
If you love this goulash recipe, be sure to check out these other delicious ideas:
- The BEST Chili Mac on the Internet
- 15 Can't Miss Chili Recipes
- Poor Man's Soup
- Copycat Texas Roadhouse Chili
Recipe
Best Goulash Ever
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 2 Italian sausage links casings removed
- 3 large red potatoes cubed
- 1 red onion medium size
- 24 oz canned tomatoes, with juice whole or diced
- 8 oz canned tomato sauce
- ¾ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 12 oz uncooked pasta egg noodles, shells, or pasta of your choice
Instructions
- Brown beef and sausage, drain grease.
- Add onions and potatoes to meat mixture, stir and cook for 3-4 minutes on medium-high heat. Continue stirring to lightly fry mixture.
- Add the canned tomatoes and tomato sauce and stir to combine. Break up the tomatoes with a spoon as they cook.
- Cover and bring to a boil, over medium heat. Reeduce to a simmer and cook for about 15-20 minutes or until potatoes are tender.
- While Goulash is cooking, prepare pasta according to package instructions.
- Serve the Goulash over pasta and enjoy!
Nutrition
Nutrition details are an estimate, per serving.
Robyn says
Do all the seasonings go in at the same time as the tomatoes?
Jessica says
Yes, just add all the seasonings at the same time. I always do a taste test just to make sure the seasonings are to my liking and to see if I need to add anything. Then again at the very end, taste and add salt and pepper as needed.
Marlys says
Love goulash and this sounds wonderful. thanks for sharing on Foodie Friends Friday. I am going to share this on my facebook page.
Sarah says
This looks like a pot of love! Wow! I've never had goulash, but I'm sure I would love it. Thanks for sharing your recipe!
Cindy says
This is a great looking goulash. I've never made it with potatoes before. Thanks for sharing at Simple Supper Tuesday.
Christine says
thanks for the recipe. I have been trying to copy a family recipe for a while. We added 1 tbl of Hungarian paprika, double the oregano, 4 shakes of allspice some beef broth (we like ours soupy) and some ground thyme. Thanks again. I will continue to use your recipe!
Marilyn says
Thank you for sharing this delicious recipe at the #RecipeSharingParty! I hope to see you next week. Pinned and Yummed. Please visit #OverTheMoon on Sunday or #ThursdayFavoriteThings for more sharing fun! Don't forget to Comment your link #'s so I can be sure to visit and you get a chance to be featured!
Karly says
Great comfort food! Thanks for linking up with What's Cookin' Wednesday!
katherines corner says
my hubby loves goulash! Thank you for sharing at the Thursday Favorite things blog hop. Watch for your feature on Monday Hugs
Gina says
That looks so great - I'm ready for a plate of it right now at 840 in the morning!
Beverly says
Love comfort food. Your goulash looks yummy!
Thanks for sharing at Wake Up Wednesday,
Bev
swathi says
Looks delicious very nice thanks for sharing with Hearth and soul blog hop. pinning.
Jann Olson says
Mom use to make goulash when I was growing up. I forget about it and have only made it once or twice. I need to try this! Thanks for sharing the recipe with SYC.
hugs,
Jann
Nikk Robinson says
I haven't had goulash in years. I'm feeling inspired. This looks hearty and delicious. Thanks.
Rosemary Whiting says
How much constitutes a serving size? I see it’s for 6 servings, but I need to know what the size.serving is for my mom who is on a strict carb diet for diabetes?
Frannie says
Just like my mom used to make. We called it Leftover Stew. Can throw in any meat you have leftover and change up the veggies too. Never the same thing twice.