We’ve reached the “1 pound of meat isn’t cutting it for our family of 5 anymore” portion of the program. Translation: I am constantly looking for ways to stretch a pack of ground beef, and my American Goulash recipe is the perfect way to do it!
This easy and economical ground beef goulash recipe cooks is a family friendly one-pot meal made with ingredients I always have on hand — plus it goes from stovetop to table in under 30 minutes. Every time I make it, I ask myself, “Is this really it? Am I missing a step?” NOPE! it really is that simple.
What’s the Difference Between Chili Mac and Goulash? Chili mac is very similar to American goulash — a one-pot meal made with ground beef, pasta, tomato sauce, and cheese. American goulash, however, doesn’t call for evaporated milk, and also isn’t made with beans.
Watch How to Make It!
Goulash comes from the Hungarian word gulyáshús which means “meat prepared by cattleman” and it’s a dish that dates back to the 9th century. Hungarian Goulash is a thick meat and vegetable stew with a broth that’s heavily seasoned with paprika, while American Goulash is a quick dish made from ground beef, tomato sauce, herbs, and elbow macaroni noodles. It also goes by the name of American Chop Suey.
Whatever you call it, this dish is total comfort food and my whole family scrapes the pot clean every time I make it. Heck, I’ll probably make it for dinner tonight!
Now, what’s the difference between American Goulash and spaghetti? American Goulash combines the meat sauce and noodles in one pot to cook together, while the meat sauce and noodles are cooked then served separately in spaghetti.
I love that I literally always have the ingredients on hand in the fridge, freezer, and pantry to make this easy dinner recipe. Usually the hardest part is remembering to thaw the ground beef ahead of time! Here’s what you’ll need:
- Lean ground beef – I prefer to use lean ground beef so there’s no need to drain after browning. Ground turkey works too.
- Onions and Garlic — Provide slow cooked flavor with minimal effort and time.
- Gluten free worcestershire sauce – Not all brands are gluten free, so be sure to check the bottle. I use Lea & Perrins which, at the time of this writing, 8/22, is gluten free in the United States.
- Pepper and seasoned salt – I use homemade seasoned salt. So easy – just 4 ingredients!
- Chicken or beef broth – I usually have chicken broth open in the fridge from using it in other dishes during the week, but feel free to use beef broth if that’s what you’ve got on hand instead.
- Tomato sauce – You’ll want the kind that comes in a can, vs jarred spaghetti sauce.
- Petite diced tomatoes – This adds bursts of fresh tomato flavor to the sauce.
- Italian seasoning – Here’s one of the big differences between American goulash and Hungarian goulash. Instead of paprika, the American version uses Italian seasoning which includes oregano, basil, and dried parsley.
- Bay leaf – This adds another layer of flavor to the goulash.
- Gluten free elbow noodles – I prefer using a corn/rice blend of pasta in this dish, as I feel I can control the texture a bit better than using brown rice pasta.
What I love about this easy American goulash recipe is that it’s incredibly versatile. Think of goulash as a blank slate to add seasonings, spices, and ingredients to in the spirt of traditional Hungarian Goulash. Here are a few ways to switch things up:
- Add shredded sharp cheddar cheese to the top of each bowl for a mac and cheese meets spaghetti flavor.
- Stir in sour cream at the end of the cooking time to make creamy goulash.
- Stir in shredded mozzarella cheese and garnish with diced pepperoni, or your favorite pizza toppings, for a pizza spin. Don’t forget a dusting of parmesan cheese!
- Sneak some veggies into your American goulash by adding a cup or two of frozen riced cauliflower when browning the ground beef.
- Or add 8 ounces of minced fresh mushrooms when browning the ground beef.
- Add shredded cheddar cheese, chili powder, and a can of black beans or kidney beans to the pot to turn it into Chili Mac.
- Use Italian Sausage instead of beef for an Italian-inspired spin!
Step 2: Simmer the Sauce
Once the beef has browned, add broth, diced tomatoes and sauce, Italian seasoning, a bay leaf, and a pinch more seasoned salt. Increase the heat to bring the mixture to a boil then lower the heat and simmer the sauce for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Goulash or chili Mac what do you call it
FAQ
What is chili mac made of?
What is goulash called in the South?
What’s the difference between Hungarian goulash and American goulash?
Is goulash the same as Beefaroni?
Is goulash a chili mac?
Goulash has macaroni, ground beef and diced tomatoes and it is made with Italian flavors and seasoning. Chili Mac also has macaroni, ground beef and diced tomatoes but it has the addition of beans and chili powder. Can Chili Mac be frozen? Yes. Place in a freezer safe bag or container and it will keep up to 3 months.
What is American goulash?
American goulash multitude of differences Both American goulash and chili mac are comforting and economical meals made with pasta, ground beef, and tomato sauce, batched to feed a family or gathering.
What is a good substitute for chili mac with beef?
If your family likes spicier chili, pepper jack cheese would be a fun addition too. Meat: Because this dish is so flavorful, ground turkey or a plant-based substitute will be just as delicious as chili mac with beef. Onion: Yellow onions have a mild flavor that most kids don’t mind. Chili Powder: This is a blend of aromatic dried chiles.
What is chili mac & cheese?
So What is Chili Mac? Classic Chili Mac is neither chili nor mac & cheese. Across the US, it is known regionally by many names (e.g., American Goulash, American Chop Suey, Makarony po-flotski, etc.). Recipes vary wildly, depending on the ethnic background of the people who settled a given region.