American Goulash (2024)

Nutrition Notes

Is There a Benefit of Using Lean Ground Beef as Opposed to Regular?

Using 90% or 93% lean ground beef means you'll have 10% to 7% fat in your beef as opposed to regular ground beef, which is upward of 30% fat. Besides being better for your body and health in general, using leaner beef also means your dish won't be swimming in grease.

Is Whole-Wheat Pasta Better than Regular Pasta?

Using whole-wheat pasta will bump up the nutrition—including vitamins and minerals—compared to regular white semolina pasta. Cup for cup, whole-wheat elbow macaroni will also give you more than 2 more grams of fiber compared to regular elbows. And we know that most Americans do not eat enough fiber, so whole-wheat pasta is a great way to increase your fiber intake, too.

Tips from the Test Kitchen

What Is Goulash?

Originating in Hungary, goulash is a soup or stew that features potatoes and/or other root vegetables, stew beef and plenty of paprika. It cooks slowly, allowing the beef to tenderize and rich deep flavors to develop. American goulash draws inspiration from the original dish, but it is less like a stew and more like a one-pot meal. It features ground beef, pasta (usually macaroni) and tomatoes. Unlike Hungarian goulash, American goulash cooks quickly, making it a great family-friendly option for weeknights. Both types of goulash feature the addition of paprika for spice and warmth.

Can I Use a Different Type of Pasta?

We use whole-wheat elbow macaroni for the recipe, but feel free to use ditalini, small shells, orecchiette or any other short pasta. Adjust the cooking time as needed for other types of pasta. You may need to cook with the lid on to ensure the pasta is cooked all the way through.

How to Make American Goulash Ahead

You can make the entire recipe from start to finish up to two days ahead. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator and reheat on the stovetop or microwave before serving.

Additional reporting by Hilary Meyer, Jan Valdez and Carrie Myers