Crock Pot American Goulash: 6 Cozy Dinner Wins

If there’s one dish that feels like a hug in a bowl, it’s Crock Pot American Goulash. This recipe is the weeknight hero you didn’t know you needed—comforting, budget-friendly, and basically foolproof. Plus, it’s the kind of meal that makes your house smell like grandma popped over and simmered something magical on the stove all day (but really, your slow cooker did all the heavy lifting!).

Whether you’re juggling kids’ homework, back-to-back Zoom meetings, or just trying to figure out what’s for dinner without breaking the bank, this dish is here to save the day. Let’s dive into why this simple classic deserves a spot on your meal rotation.

Why You’ll Love This Crock Pot American Goulash

• Stress-free cooking: Toss everything in the slow cooker, walk away, and let it do its thing.
• Family-approved flavors: Tomatoey, beefy, a little garlicky—nothing fancy, just hearty comfort in every bite.
• Budget-friendly: Most ingredients are pantry staples, and you can swap proteins based on what’s on sale.
• Leftovers reheat like a dream: The flavors deepen overnight, making tomorrow’s lunch even better.

Ingredients You’ll Need

• Ground beef (or swap with Italian sausage, ground chicken, or turkey)
• Sweet onion, finely diced
• Green pepper, finely diced (optional if bell peppers aren’t your thing)
• Garlic (fresh or jarred—do what works for you!)
• Pasta sauce (I love Rao’s roasted garlic, but any brand your family enjoys works)
• Tomato sauce (low or no sodium if you prefer)
• Petite diced tomatoes (seasoned varieties add extra flavor)
• Water
• Italian seasoning
• Granulated sugar (to balance the tomato acidity)
• Elbow macaroni (or any small pasta you’ve got handy)

(Scroll Down to See recipe card below for exact measurements)

How To Make Crock Pot American Goulash

Here’s where the magic happens—step by simple step. Even if you’ve never made goulash before, this recipe is so easy that you’ll feel like a pro in the kitchen. Trust me, the hardest part is waiting for the slow cooker to work its magic!

Step 1: Brown the meat and veggies.
In a large skillet, cook 1 pound of ground beef along with a finely diced onion and green pepper. Cook until the beef is browned and no pink remains, and the veggies are softened and fragrant. This step not only gives the goulash its savory base but also keeps the final dish from getting greasy. Drain any excess fat—your taste buds will thank you later.

Step 2: Build the flavor base.
Transfer the beef and veggie mixture into your slow cooker. Now it’s time to layer in the flavor: stir in minced garlic, pasta sauce, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, a splash of water, Italian seasoning, and just a touch of sugar to balance the acidity. Don’t skip the sugar—it’s that secret little trick that makes the sauce taste like it’s been simmering on Nonna’s stove all day.

Step 3: Slow cook the magic.
Cover your slow cooker and set it to low for 6–8 hours or high for 2–4 hours. This is the part where you walk away, pour yourself a coffee (or a well-earned glass of wine), and let your Crock Pot do the heavy lifting. Everything is already cooked, so think of this step as a long, cozy simmer where all the flavors meld into one big hug in a bowl.

Step 4: Add the pasta at just the right time.
During the final hour of cooking, stir in your uncooked elbow macaroni. This is a critical moment—too soon and you’ll have mushy pasta, too late and you’ll be left with crunchy noodles. Cook until the pasta is tender and al dente, or let it go a little longer if your family prefers it softer. Either way, the pasta soaks up all those saucy flavors beautifully.

Step 5: Serve and savor.
When the pasta is perfectly cooked, grab your ladle and dish up generous bowls of goulash. Pair it with a crisp green salad, some crusty garlic bread, and maybe an extra sprinkle of Parmesan on top if you’re feeling fancy. Then sit back, take a bite, and let the comfort wash over you.

Cooking Tips for the Best Crock Pot American Goulash

• Pasta patience: Don’t add the noodles too early, or you’ll end up with a mushy mess.
• Too thick? Stir in a splash more water or broth until it reaches your desired consistency.
• Protein swaps: Italian sausage makes this extra flavorful, while ground turkey keeps it lean.
• Make-ahead friendly: Cook the base a day ahead, then reheat and add pasta when you’re ready to serve.

Personal note: This recipe once rescued me on a week where I was drowning in school drop-offs, work emails, and a never-ending laundry pile. Coming home to a slow cooker full of goulash felt like someone else had cooked dinner for me—pure bliss!

FAQs About Crock Pot American Goulash

Bring Comfort to Your Table

There’s something so satisfying about a meal that’s both nostalgic and practical, and Crock Pot American Goulash checks both boxes beautifully. It’s the kind of dish you’ll make once and then keep in your back pocket for every busy weeknight when you need dinner to cook itself. Cozy, hearty, and so easy—you’ll wonder how you ever lived without it.

More Cozy Slow Cooker Recipes You’ll Love

If this Crock Pot American Goulash left you craving more comfort food, here are a few tried-and-true favorites that pair beautifully with your weeknight dinners:

• Try a hearty twist with this Autumn Harvest Beef Stew, packed with tender beef and seasonal veggies.
• Balance out your meal with a sweet side like Maple and Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots—the perfect veggie companion to any comfort dish.
• Craving a chicken dinner instead? This Slow Cooker Cheesy Mozzarella Chicken will make the whole family swoon.
• And don’t forget dessert—end your cozy meal on a sweet note with a warm Crock Pot Apple Dump Cake that practically serves itself.

Each of these recipes brings the same slow-cooked comfort to your table, making them perfect additions to your recipe rotation.

Crock Pot American Goulash

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• Author: Mounia
• Total Time: 6 hours 15 minutes (low) / 2 hours 45 minutes (high)
• Yield: 6 servings 1x

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Description

This Crock Pot American Goulash is a cozy, budget-friendly comfort food classic. Made with ground beef, pasta, and a rich tomato sauce, it’s the perfect slow cooker dinner for busy nights.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 lb ground beef (or Italian sausage, ground chicken, or turkey)

• 1 small sweet onion, finely diced

• 1 green pepper, finely diced (optional)

• 2 tsp minced garlic (or 2 fresh cloves, minced)

• 1 (24 oz) jar pasta sauce

• 1 (8 oz) can tomato sauce

• 1 (15 oz) can petite diced tomatoes (seasoned if available)

• 1 cup water

• 1 ½ tsp Italian seasoning

• 1 tbsp granulated sugar

• 1 cup uncooked elbow macaroni (or other small pasta)

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Instructions

1. In a large skillet, brown ground beef with diced onion and green pepper until beef is fully cooked and veggies are softened. Drain excess grease.

2. Transfer beef mixture to a 4–6 quart slow cooker.

3. Stir in garlic, pasta sauce, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, water, Italian seasoning, and sugar. Do not add pasta yet.

4. Cover and cook on Low for 6–8 hours or High for 2–4 hours.

5. During the last hour of cooking, stir in elbow macaroni. Cover and cook until pasta is al dente or your preferred texture.

6. Serve hot with garlic bread and salad.

Notes

Add pasta only in the last hour to prevent mushiness.
Swap beef for Italian sausage, turkey, or chicken for variety.
Leftovers store in the fridge for up to 4 days or freeze up to 3 months (pasta may soften slightly).
Stir in extra water or broth if the goulash thickens too much.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 6 hours (low) / 2.5 hours (high)
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Slow Cooker
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 Serving
• Calories: 360 kcal
• Sugar: 8 g
• Sodium: 780 mg
• Fat: 14 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 38 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 20 g
• Cholesterol: 55 mg