A bowl of goulash is like a warm hug on a cold day. While its roots are in Hungarian stews, the American-style goulash is a beloved classic in its own right—a simple, hearty, and deeply comforting dish that’s perfect for a family meal. This recipe takes all the best parts of that tradition and makes it even easier by letting the slow cooker do all the work.

The beauty of this slow cooker goulash is in its simplicity. You can toss everything in the pot in the morning and come home to a rich, savory, and incredibly flavorful meal. The ground beef becomes meltingly tender, and the tomato sauce develops a deep, satisfying flavor as it simmers all day. The best part? The pasta cooks directly in the sauce, soaking up all that delicious flavor, making this a true one-pot wonder.1

Hearty Slow Cooker Goulash

For Comforting Family Meals

Yields: 6-8 servings

Prep time: 15 minutes2

Cook time: 4-6 hours on LOW, or 2-3 hours on HIGH3

Ingredients

  • 1 ½ lbs lean ground beef

  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped4

  • 2 cloves garlic, minced

  • 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes

  • 1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce

  • 2 cups beef broth

  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce5

  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano

  • 1 teaspoon dried basil6

  • ½ teaspoon salt

  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper

  • 1 ½ cups elbow macaroni, uncooked

  • ½ cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese, for serving (optional)7

Instructions

1. Brown the Beef & Sauté Aromatics

  1. In a large skillet, cook the ground beef over medium-high heat, breaking it up with a spoon, until it's browned and no longer pink.8 Drain off any excess fat.

  2. Add the chopped onion to the skillet and cook until it softens, about 5 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.

  3. Transfer the browned beef, onion, and garlic to a 6-quart or larger slow cooker.

2. Prepare the Goulash Base

  1. To the slow cooker, add the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, dried oregano, dried basil, salt, and black pepper.

  2. Stir all the ingredients together until everything is well combined.

3. Slow Cook

  1. Cover the slow cooker and cook on LOW for 4-6 hours or on HIGH for 2-3 hours.9 The long cook time allows the flavors to deepen and the meat to become incredibly tender.10

4. Add the Pasta

  1. About 30 minutes before you plan to serve, stir the uncooked elbow macaroni into the goulash.11

  2. Cover and continue to cook on HIGH for 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is cooked through and tender. Be sure to check the pasta and stir frequently during this step to prevent it from sticking to the bottom.

5. Serve

  • Serve the goulash hot, topped with a sprinkle of shredded cheddar cheese if desired.12 This dish pairs perfectly with a side of crusty bread.13

Pro-Tips for a Perfect Goulash

  • Don't Skip the Browning: Browning the ground beef is a crucial step. It adds a ton of flavor to the final dish that you wouldn't get by just adding the raw beef to the slow cooker.

  • The Right Pasta: Small pasta shapes like elbow macaroni, rotini, or shells work best here. They cook quickly and hold up well to the sauce.

  • Timing is Everything: Add the pasta at the very end. Adding it too early will result in mushy, overcooked noodles.

  • Keep an Eye on the Sauce: If the sauce seems too thick after adding the pasta, you can add an extra splash of beef broth to reach your desired consistency.

  • Customize to Your Liking: Feel free to add other ingredients like chopped carrots, bell peppers, or a dash of hot sauce for a little kick.