You know the ones—the kind that fill the kitchen with a rich, savory smell while everyone starts asking, “Is dinner ready yet?”
This Crockpot Goulash Recipe is exactly that kind of meal.
It’s hearty, saucy, comforting, and wonderfully easy to make. Ground beef, tender pasta, tomatoes, onions, garlic, and seasonings slowly come together for a dinner that tastes like you spent far more time in the kitchen than you actually did.
And honestly, that’s my favorite kind of recipe!
If you're looking for an easy weeknight dinner that feeds the family, reheats beautifully, and doesn't require a sink full of dishes, put this one on your list.
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What Is Crockpot Goulash?
American-style goulash is a comforting one-pot-style meal made with ground beef, tomatoes, seasonings, and pasta.
It’s important to note that American goulash is different from traditional Hungarian goulash. Hungarian goulash is a paprika-rich stew, while the American version is generally more like a hearty tomato-and-beef pasta dish.
This crockpot version takes that familiar family favorite and lets the slow cooker do most of the work.
The result?
A thick, savory, tomato-rich dinner with tender beef and pasta that soaks up all those wonderful flavors.
Why You'll Love This Crockpot Goulash
It's Easy
Brown the beef, add the ingredients, let the slow cooker work, and finish with the pasta.
That's dinner without a lot of fuss.
It's Budget-Friendly
Ground beef, pasta, canned tomatoes, and pantry seasonings make this a relatively inexpensive meal for a family.
It's Filling
This isn't a tiny dinner that leaves everyone searching the pantry an hour later.
A bowl of goulash is hearty and satisfying.
It's Family-Friendly
The flavors are familiar and comforting without being overly complicated or spicy.
It Makes Great Leftovers
In fact, I think the leftovers are one of the best parts!
The flavors have time to mingle, making the next-day bowl especially delicious.
What Does Crockpot Goulash Taste Like?
Think rich tomato sauce, savory ground beef, tender pasta, sweet onion, garlic, and Italian-style seasonings all coming together in one comforting bowl.
The tomatoes give the dish a gentle tang, while the beef adds richness.
The pasta makes everything substantial, and the seasonings bring the whole thing together.
Add shredded cheese on top and let it melt into the hot goulash.
Oh, yes.
That is comfort food!
Ingredients You'll Need
Here's what you'll need for a classic crockpot version:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1 can tomato sauce
- 1 can tomato paste
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, optional
A Note About the Pasta
I recommend adding the uncooked macaroni toward the end rather than at the beginning.
If pasta cooks for hours in a slow cooker, it can become overly soft and lose its pleasant texture.
Adding it later gives you much better results.
Kitchen Tools You'll Need
Nothing fancy here!
You'll need:
- Slow cooker
- Large skillet
- Wooden spoon or spatula
- Cutting board
- Knife
- Measuring spoons
- Measuring cup
- Serving spoon
A 5- to 6-quart slow cooker works well for this recipe.
Ingredient Additions and Substitutions
