Crockpot Goulash is deliciously meaty and wonderfully cheesy! It’s a breeze to prepare in the slow cooker, making this pasta dish incredibly straightforward and utterly comforting. Truly, this is comfort food at its best!
It’s always a sign of a great recipe when every scrap of leftovers is devoured in my home! With so many recipes being tested, we’re never short on leftovers, yet this one has quickly become a new family favorite.
Just to clarify, this recipe is for American Goulash, which is basically a hearty, tomato-based macaroni dish. I aimed to create an easy version of this beloved classic, possibly reminiscent of many childhood meals, and it’s a great way to use fresh peppers if you have them.
I love using the slow cooker for this dish— it even handles the pasta, eliminating the need to boil water and deal with extra cleanup. Check out my tips below to ensure your pasta comes out perfectly. This Crockpot Goulash is the epitome of comfort food! It features ground beef, vegetables, tomatoes, and savory seasonings, all slow-cooked to perfection. Even the elbow macaroni cooks right in the crockpot, making this one of the simplest slow cooker recipes you can find! On a chilly winter day, there’s nothing more satisfying than a bowl of this crockpot goulash. It’s the ideal mix of stew and pasta dish, with a rich tomato base and perfectly tender pasta—it’s truly the best of both worlds!
Why You’ll Love This Slow Cooker Goulash
- Hands-Off Cooking: Just set it and forget it! The slow cooker does all the work, freeing up your time.
- Rich, Developed Flavors: Slow cooking allows spices and ingredients to meld beautifully, resulting in deep, hearty flavors.
- Tender Beef and Veggies: The long, slow cook time makes the beef melt-in-your-mouth tender, and the veggies come out perfectly cooked.
- Family-Friendly and Filling: This goulash is a crowd-pleaser, full of pasta, meat, and veggies, keeping everyone satisfied.
- Perfect for Meal Prep: It’s easy to make ahead and tastes even better as leftovers, making it ideal for busy weeks.
Ingredients for Slow Cooker Goulash
- Ground Beef: Use lean ground beef to reduce excess grease, or substitute with ground turkey for a lighter option.
- Sweet Onion: Adds a mild sweetness to balance the acidity of tomatoes. Chop finely for even distribution.
- Green Pepper: Adds a subtle bitterness and crunch. Dice small if you want it to blend more with the sauce.
- Garlic: Fresh garlic cloves provide the best flavor, but garlic powder can be a quick alternative.
- Pasta Sauce: Choose a sauce with your preferred flavor profile (like marinara or basil-based) for added depth.
- Tomato Sauce: A smooth tomato base that enriches the sauce and thickens the dish.
- Petite Diced Tomatoes: These add texture and small bursts of tomato flavor throughout the dish.
- Water: Helps cook the pasta directly in the sauce, so it absorbs all the flavors.
- Italian Seasoning: A mix of herbs like oregano, basil, and thyme enhances the dish’s overall flavor.
- Granulated Sugar: Balances acidity from tomatoes and brings out natural flavors. Add more or less based on your taste.
- Elbow Macaroni: Classic pasta choice for even cooking and soaking up the sauce. Cook directly in the sauce for a richer flavor.
How To Make This Slow Cooker Goulash
Step 1: Brown and crumble 1 pound of ground beef with 1 finely diced small sweet onion and 1 finely diced green pepper in a large skillet. Cook until the meat is fully browned and the onions and peppers are softened. Drain any excess grease.
Step 2: Transfer the ground beef mixture to a 4-6 quart slow cooker.
Step 3: Stir in 2 teaspoons minced garlic, a 24-ounce jar of pasta sauce, an 8-ounce can of tomato sauce, a 15-ounce can of petite diced tomatoes, 1 cup water, 1 ½ teaspoons Italian seasoning, and 1 tablespoon granulated sugar. (DO NOT ADD THE MACARONI NOODLES YET)
Step 4: Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 2-4 hours. This step allows the flavors to meld as everything simmers.
Step 5: During the last hour of cooking, add 1 cup of uncooked elbow macaroni. Stir, cover, and cook until the noodles are al dente (or softer if preferred).
Step 6: Serve and enjoy! Pair it with fresh garlic bread and a salad for a complete meal.
Storage Options
- Storing Leftovers: Keep any remaining portions in a sealed container in the refrigerator. They will last for up to 4 days. Reheat easily in the microwave when ready to enjoy.
- Freezing: For longer storage, leftovers can be frozen. First, allow the goulash to cool completely. Then, transfer it to an airtight container or a freezer bag. It can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months. To serve, thaw in the refrigerator and reheat in a stock pot. Note: Freezing beyond 3 months may alter the texture of the noodles.
Variations and Substitutions
Here are some tasty variations and substitutions you can try for a Slow Cooker Goulash recipe to suit different tastes or dietary needs:
- Spicy Goulash: Add extra heat by incorporating diced jalapeños, red pepper flakes, or cayenne pepper. You could also use a spicier variety of paprika, like hot Hungarian paprika, to intensify the flavor.
- Cheesy Goulash: For a cheesy twist, add shredded cheddar or mozzarella during the last 15-20 minutes of cooking. This gives the dish a creamy, gooey texture that’s delicious with pasta.
- Vegetarian Goulash: Replace the beef with mushrooms, tofu, or a plant-based meat alternative. Add extra vegetables like zucchini, bell peppers, and carrots to make it heartier.
- Hungarian-Inspired Goulash: To give it a more authentic Hungarian taste, use sweet paprika, add a little caraway seed, and replace pasta with small dumplings or potatoes.
- Creamy Goulash: For a creamier goulash, stir in a few spoonfuls of sour cream or cream cheese right before serving. This adds a tangy richness to the dish.
- Tex-Mex Goulash: Add black beans, corn, and diced tomatoes with green chiles, and season with cumin, chili powder, and smoked paprika for a southwestern twist.
- Low-Carb Goulash: Substitute the pasta with cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles for a lower-carb alternative.
Slow Cooker Goulash Recipe
This Slow Cooker Goulash Recipe is a hearty, comforting meal packed with tender pasta, seasoned ground beef, and a rich tomato sauce. Slow-cooked to let all the flavors meld together, it’s a cozy, family-friendly dinner that’s easy to make and perfect for busy days.
Ingredients
- 2 pounds ground beef
- 1 large onion, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 cups water
- 4 beef bouillon cubes
- 28 ounces crushed tomatoes (one standard can)
- 30 ounces petite diced tomatoes (two 15-ounce cans)
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 3 bay leaves
- 2 tablespoons Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 4 cups elbow macaroni
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Cook the ground beef in a nonstick pan over medium heat until no longer pink, about 7-10 minutes. Drain and transfer to the crockpot.
- Add the onion, garlic, water, bouillon cubes, crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, Worcestershire sauce, bay leaves, Italian seasoning, and salt to the crockpot. Stir thoroughly.
- Cover and set the crockpot to cook on low for 4-5 hours or on high for 2 hours.
- Thirty minutes before serving, add the macaroni. Cover and continue cooking until the noodles are tender.
- Remove the bay leaves and mix in the shredded cheddar cheese.
- Serve immediately to prevent the pasta from becoming mushy.