Slow Cooker American Goulash

Slow cooker American goulash is a hearty, family-friendly comfort food that you can serve any day of the week. This classic one-pot meal combines ground beef, vegetables, and uncooked pasta in a homemade tomato-based sauce. This easy goulash recipe is filling and flavorful. Instructions to make this American goulash in the Instant Pot are also included in the blog post. 

Ingredients For Slow Cooker American Goulash

• Ground Beef
• Uncooked Elbow Pasta
• Onion
• Bell Pepper
• Garlic
• Crushed Tomatoes
• Tomato Sauce
• Beef Broth
• Soy Sauce
• Seasonings: Italian seasoning, salt, pepper

How To Make American Goulash In The Crockpot

Slow Cooker

1. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. When hot, add the ground beef, bell pepper, onion, and garlic. Cook until the beef is browned, approximately 3 to 5 minutes. Crumble the beef as it cooks. Drain the grease and add the mixture to the slow cooker.
2. Add the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, beef broth, soy sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Stir to mix well.
3. Cook on HIGH for 3 to 4 hours or LOW 6 to 8. The last 3o minutes of cooking time, stir in the uncooked pasta.
4. Stir well before serving.

Instant Pot

1. Turn on the pressure cooker and select sauté. Once hot, add the oil, ground beef, bell pepper, onion, and garlic. Cook until the beef is browned, approximately 3 to 5 minutes. Crumble the beef as it cooks. Drain the excess grease if needed.
2. Add the Italian seasoning, soy sauce, salt, and pepper. Stir to mix well. Add the uncooked pasta on top. Do not stir. Pour the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, and beef broth on top of the pasta. Do not stir.
3. Close lid and seal valve. Set manual high pressure setting for 5 minutes.
4. When cooking time is complete, quick release the pressure.
5. Stir well before serving.

FAQs & Tips

Do you have to use ground beef?

You do not! Feel free to substitute your preferred ground meat like ground turkey.

What kind of pasta should you use?

I like to use elbow pasta aka elbow macaroni for this recipe but technically you can use 8 ounces of any uncooked pasta. I have not tried this using wheat or gluten-free pasta but I imagine it they work just fine.

Can you switch up the canned tomatoes?

Sure. Don’t have crushed tomatoes? Use diced tomatoes instead. Make this recipe work for you! 

How do you store leftovers?

Store leftover crockpot American goulash in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. 

What size slow cooker did you use?

I use a  6-quart slow cooker or Instant Pot for this recipe.

Pasta Recipes

• Creamy Ground Beef Pasta

• Chili Mac and Cheese

• Homemade Hamburger Helper

• Ravioli Meatball Casserole

• Beef Pumpkin Orzo Soup

• Chicken and Noodles

Slow Cooker American Goulash

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Slow cooker American goulash is a hearty, family-friendly comfort food that you can serve any day of the week. This classic one-pot meal combines ground beef, vegetables, and uncooked pasta in a homemade tomato-based sauce. This easy goulash recipe is filling and flavorful. Instructions to make this American goulash in the Instant Pot are also included in the blog post.

• Author: Shannon Epstein

Ingredients

Units USM Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 pound ground beef, seasoned with salt & pepper
• 8 ounces uncooked elbow macaroni
• 1/3 cup onion, diced
• 1 bell pepper, diced
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 28 ounces crushed tomatoes
• 15 ounces tomato sauce
• 1 1/2 cups beef broth
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce or coconut aminos
• 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon salt (or more)
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 1 tablespoon oil

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Instructions

Slow Cooker

1. Heat the oil a large skillet over medium-high heat. When hot, add the ground beef, bell pepper, onion, and garlic. Cook until the beef is browned, approximately 3 to 5 minutes. Crumble the beef as it cooks. Drain the grease and add the mixture to the slow cooker.
2. Add the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, beef broth, soy sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Stir to mix well.
3. Cook on HIGH for 3 to 4 hours or LOW 6 to 8. The last 3o minutes of cooking time, stir in the uncooked pasta.
4. Stir well before serving.

Instant Pot

1. Turn on the pressure cooker and select sauté. Once hot, add the oil, ground beef, bell pepper, onion, and garlic. Cook until the beef is browned, approximately 3 to 5 minutes. Crumble the beef as it cooks. Drain the excess grease if needed.
2. Add the Italian seasoning, soy sauce, salt, and pepper. Stir to mix well. Add the uncooked pasta on top. Do not stir. Pour the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, and beef broth on top of the pasta. Do not stir.
3. Close lid and seal valve. Set manual high pressure setting for 5 minutes.
4. When cooking time is complete, quick release the pressure.
5. Stir well before serving.

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