Crockpot Goulash is the ultimate comfort food for busy nights! Think savory ground beef, tender macaroni, and veggies simmered in a rich, flavorful tomato sauce. Even the pasta cooks right in the slow cooker, making this hearty, family-friendly dinner extra easy to throw together!

Love letting your slow cooker do the work? Try my Crockpot Vegetable Beef Soup, Slow Cooker Mexican Chicken, and my Slow Cooker Chili Recipe!

A white bowl filled with American goulash.

There’s nothing better than a warm bowl of crockpot goulash on a chilly day! It’s a delicious mix of hearty beef stew and a comforting pasta dish, with tender macaroni in a rich tomato sauce. The best of both worlds!

I love how this recipe turns simple ingredients into such a flavorful, family-friendly dinner. Browning the ground beef first adds extra flavor, while fire-roasted tomatoes and a blend of seasonings make every bite so good. Plus, the slow cooker does most of the work!

Kelley Simmons Kelley’s Tips

Tips for Making Crockpot Goulash

  • Switch up the protein. Swap the ground beef for lean ground turkey or ground chicken for a lighter option. You can also use Italian sausage for extra flavor!
  • Load up on veggies. Add peas, carrots, mushrooms, or zucchini for extra color and nutrition. Stir in quick-cooking veggies toward the end so they don’t get too soft.
  • Don’t skip browning the beef. Cooking the ground beef with the onion and bell pepper before adding it to the slow cooker builds flavor and keeps the meat from clumping together.
  • Adjust the consistency. The macaroni will soak up liquid as it cooks. If the goulash gets too thick, stir in a splash of warm beef broth until it’s just right.
  • Have fun with toppings. We love adding shredded cheddar, freshly grated Parmesan, a dollop of sour cream, or a splash of hot sauce for a little kick!
  • No slow cooker? No problem! Make this goulash in a large, heavy-bottomed pot on the stovetop. Let the sauce simmer on low for 1 to 2 hours, then add the macaroni and cook until tender, adding extra broth as needed.
Kelley

Ingredients for Goulash

  • Ground beef: I recommend using lean ground beef for plenty of hearty, savory flavor without too much excess grease.
  • Onion & bell pepper: These add plenty of flavor to the base of the goulash. Any color bell pepper works, so use your favorite!
  • Tomato sauce & fire-roasted tomatoes: This combination creates a rich, flavorful sauce with a hint of smokiness from the fire-roasted tomatoes.
  • Beef broth: Adds liquid and extra savory flavor. Chicken broth works just as well if that’s what you have on hand.
  • Worcestershire sauce: A little goes a long way in adding a deep, savory flavor with just a hint of tang.
  • Seasonings: Bay leaves, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and pepper bring all the flavors together.
  • Elbow macaroni: My favorite pasta for goulash! The small shape works perfectly with the hearty sauce, but other small pasta shapes will work, too.
  • For serving: Finish with fresh parsley and a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese. I also love adding a splash of hot sauce for a little kick!
A wooden spoon scooping beef goulash with macaroni, tomatoes, and chopped herbs from a pot.

How to Make Crockpot Goulash

  1. Brown the Beef: Heat one tablespoon of oil in a large skillet over high heat. Add in the ground beef and cook until brown, breaking it up into chunks as it cooks. Transfer beef to the slow cooker.
Cooked ground beef in a white skillet being stirred with a wooden spoon.
  1. Sauté the Veggies: In the same pan, add another tablespoon of oil. Add in the onion and bell pepper and sauté for 3-4 minutes or until they caramelize a bit. Transfer to the slow cooker.
Diced yellow bell peppers and onions are being sautéed in a white skillet with a wooden spoon.
  1. Add Ingredients to Crockpot: Add the remaining ingredients to the crockpot, except for the noodles.
A slow cooker filled with ground meat, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, seasonings, herbs, and two bay leaves.
  1. Cook: Cook for 2 hours on HIGH or 5 hours on LOW. In the last 30 minutes, add in your elbow macaroni straight into the slow cooker. If you were cooking on LOW, turn your slow cooker up to HIGH now and cook for 30 minutes.
Uncooked elbow macaroni sits on top of a hearty mixture of ground beef, tomatoes, and sauce inside a black slow cooker.
  1. Serve: Spoon into bowls and serve warm with your favorite toppings. Enjoy!
A slow cooker filled with cooked macaroni, ground beef, diced tomatoes, bell peppers, and sauce.

Crockpot Goulash FAQ

Do I need to cook the macaroni before adding it to the slow cooker?

Nope! The macaroni goes into the slow cooker uncooked and absorbs the flavorful sauce as it cooks. Just be sure there’s enough liquid for the pasta to soften.

Can I use frozen ground beef in the slow cooker?

It’s best to thaw ground beef before cooking it. Adding frozen meat directly to the slow cooker can keep it at unsafe temperatures for too long. Thaw it in the refrigerator before starting the recipe.

Why did my macaroni turn mushy?

Pasta can get too soft if it cooks too long in the slow cooker. Cooking times vary by slow cooker, so check the macaroni a little early and turn off the heat as soon as it’s tender.

A white bowl filled with crockpot goulash made of ground beef, macaroni, tomatoes, onions, and herbs.

What to Serve with Goulash

Storing & Freezing Instructions

  • To store: Keep leftover goulash in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop until warmed through. Add a splash of broth if needed to loosen the sauce.
  • To freeze: Let the goulash cool completely, then transfer to a freezer-safe container or bag. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat on the stovetop. Keep in mind that the macaroni may soften a bit after freezing and reheating.
A wooden spoon stirs a mixture of macaroni, ground beef, tomatoes, and onions in a pot.

More Slow Cooker Recipes to Try

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    A wooden spoon scooping beef goulash with macaroni, tomatoes, and chopped herbs from a pot.
    Recipe

    Crockpot Goulash

    4 from 6 votes
    Crockpot Goulash is an easy, hearty dinner made with ground beef, tender macaroni, veggies, and a flavorful tomato sauce. Everything cooks in the slow cooker for a simple, family-friendly meal!
    Author: Kelley Simmons
    Prep Time: 15 minutes
    Cook Time: 5 hours 30 minutes
    Total Time: 5 hours 45 minutes
    Serves 6
    Rate Print

    Ingredients 

    • 1 lb ground beef
    • 1 small onion, diced
    • 1 bell pepper, any color
    • 15 ounces tomato sauce
    • 15 ounces fire roasted tomatoes
    • 2 bay leaves
    • 1 cup beef broth
    • 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
    • 1/2 tsp salt
    • 1/2 tsp pepper
    • 1 tsp garlic powder
    • 2 tsp Italian seasoning
    • 1/2 tsp paprika
    • 1 1/2 cups elbow macaroni, uncooked
    • fresh chopped parsley, for garnish
    • parmesan cheese for serving

    Instructions

    • Heat 1 tbsp of oil in a large skillet over high heat.
      Add in ground beef and cook until brown breaking it up into chunks. Transfer beef to slow cooker.
    • Add the remaining tablespoon of oil to the same pan the beef was cooked in.
      Add in onion and bell pepper and saute for 3-4 minutes or until they caramelize a bit. Transfer to the slow cooker.
    • Add the rest of the ingredients to the slow cooker except for the macaroni.
    • Cook for 2 hours on HIGH or 5 hours on LOW.
      In the last 30 minutes add in your elbow macaroni straight to the slow cooker. If you were cooking on LOW turn your slow cooker up to HIGH now and cook for 30 minutes.
    • Serve immediately with fresh parsley and parmesan cheese for serving. I also like to serve it with a splash of hot sauce!

    Notes

    Helpful Tips
    • Switch up the protein. Swap the ground beef for lean ground turkey or ground chicken for a lighter option. You can also use Italian sausage for extra flavor!
    • Load up on veggies. Add peas, carrots, mushrooms, or zucchini for extra color and nutrition. Stir in quick-cooking veggies toward the end so they don’t get too soft.
    • Don’t skip browning the beef. Cooking the ground beef with the onion and bell pepper before adding it to the slow cooker builds flavor and keeps the meat from clumping together.
    • Adjust the consistency. The macaroni will soak up liquid as it cooks. If the goulash gets too thick, stir in a splash of warm beef broth until it’s just right.
    • Have fun with toppings. We love adding shredded cheddar, freshly grated Parmesan, a dollop of sour cream, or a splash of hot sauce for a little kick!
    • No slow cooker? No problem! Make this goulash in a large, heavy-bottomed pot on the stovetop. Let the sauce simmer on low for 1 to 2 hours, then add the macaroni and cook until tender, adding extra broth as needed.

    Nutrition Information

    Calories: 377kcalCarbohydrates: 38gProtein: 20gFat: 16gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 54mgSodium: 916mgPotassium: 639mgFiber: 4gSugar: 7gVitamin A: 1312IUVitamin C: 33mgCalcium: 77mgIron: 4mg
    A wooden spoon scooping beef goulash with macaroni, tomatoes, and chopped herbs from a pot.

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