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Slow Cooker Goulash

ByJennifer
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Looking for an easy yet tasty meal that you can throw in the slow cooker with ingredients you likely already have? How about this simple yet tasty Slow Cooker Goulash?

goulash and a fork on a white plate

You know it’s a good recipe when every last bite of leftovers gets eaten at my house! I test so many recipes that there’s always a lot of leftovers to chose from, but this was a new favorite for my family.
And to be clear, this is American Goulash, which is essentially a meaty, tomato based macaroni. I wanted to create a simple version of what is likely a classic favorite in many of your homes growing up, using up some fresh peppers if you have them on hand.
I love making this in the slow cooker. Even the pasta cooks in there! That saves time because you don’t need to boil water and hassle with extra work. See my tips below for making sure you pasta turns out just right.

 

jar of pasta sauce, can of diced tomatoes, and

Ingredient Notes

  • Use a lean ground beef or drain any excess grease
  • You can use almost any combination of tomatoes and tomato sauce you have on hand
  • If you use less pasta sauce, add a little more seasoning as pasta sauce has more flavor than regular tomatoes

box of Barilla elbow pasta, can of tomatoes, and can of tomato sauce

  • I used elbow noodles, which is the most classic for this dish, but you could try out other variations like penne pasta.

goulash ingredient preparation

Preparation Notes

  • Brown ground beef and add to slow cooker
  • Stir in all remaining ingredients except pasta which we will add toward the end
  • Cover and let simmer all day
  • Add the pasta in the last 30-45 minutes and be prepared to eat right away when it’s done so it doesn’t get too soft from overcooking

goulash in a slow cooker

Equipment Notes

  • I used my multi cooker to brown the meat then cook everything in the same pot. You can also cook the meat in a skillet and transfer to the slow cooker.

Recipe Notes

  • I used macaroni noodles but I you could also substitute penne or another kind of pasta. Cooking times may vary.

goulash and a fork on a white plateHow To Prep Ahead

  • Cook and cool ground beef and add to a freezer safe container or zipper bag
  • Add all remaining ingredients except pasta
  • Store in fridge up to 3 days or freezer up to 3 months
  • Thaw fully before cooking

Related Recipes

How To Store Leftovers

  • Let cool completely, then store in air tight containers in fridge up to 3 days
goulash in a slow cooker

Slow Cooker Goulash

Jennifer Draper
Looking for an easy but tasty meal that you can throw in the slow cooker with ingredients you likely already have? How about this simple yet tasty Slow Cooker Goulash? 
4.88 from 49 votes
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 4 hours
Total Time 4 hours 15 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 6
Calories 294 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pounds ground beef
  • 1 small yellow onion diced
  • 2 teaspoons jarred minced garlic
  • 1 green bell pepper seeded and diced
  • 2 cups tomato basil pasta sauce
  • 8 oz tomato sauce
  • 15 oz diced tomatoes
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 teaspoon herb and garlic seasoning
  • 6 oz pasta noodles

Instructions
 

  • Brown ground beef and add to slow cooker
  • Stir in all remaining ingredients except pasta which we will add toward the end
  • Cover and cook 2-3 hours on high or 4-6 on low (can let simmer on low up to 8 hours)
  • Turn the slow cooker to high and add the pasta in the last 30-45 minutes and be prepared to eat right away when it’s done so it doesn’t get too soft from overcooking

Notes

  • I used macaroni noodles but I imagine you could also substitute penne or another kind of pasta.  Cooking times may vary.
To make ahead:
  • Cook & cool ground beef, add to freezer safe container or bag
  • Add all remaining ingredients except pasta
  • Store in fridge up to 3 days / freezer up to 3 months
  • Thaw fully before cooking
If you have leftovers: 
  • Let cool, store in air tight containers in fridge up to 3 days

Nutrition

Calories: 294kcalCarbohydrates: 34gProtein: 21gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 49mgSodium: 688mgPotassium: 906mgFiber: 4gSugar: 9gVitamin A: 688IUVitamin C: 33mgCalcium: 74mgIron: 4mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @slowcookergourmet or tag #slowcookergourmet!
Important nutritional disclaimer

 

53 Comments

      1. You should have put this information in your recipe because I didn’t what to cook it on. I use low always. I’m glad she asked that question. That was very important to know.

        Reply

      1. 6 oz is correct. With the meat and additional ingredients you will need less pasta. But if you have heartier appetites you can plan for less servings or double the recipe.

        Reply

    1. Pasta sauce has additional ingredients like spices, onion, garlic, etc. and tomato sauce is just plain tomato sauce. You’ll typically find the tomato sauce in a can and the pasta sauce in a jar near the dried pasta.

      Reply
4.88 from 49 votes (39 ratings without comment)

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