Crockpot Goulash

Crockpot Goulash is flavorful, beefy, and delightfully cheesy! Easy to make in the slow cooker, this pasta recipe is incredibly simple and wholly satisfying; the epitome of comfort food!

Goulash is traditionally a Hungarian dish, but what I am making is the American version in a Crockpot! Cheesy, beefy, and flavorful as can be. Goulash is the best way to use up that box of elbow macaroni that’s been sitting in your pantry!

Since this slow-cooked goulash is such a heavy dish, it can be served as a hearty meal all by itself or with a small side dish.

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Crockpot Goulash Recipe

4.60 from 213 votes

Prep: 10 minutes mins

Cook: 5 hours hrs

Total: 5 hours hrs 10 minutes mins

Servings: 8

Author: Becky Hardin

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Crockpot Goulash is flavorful, beefy, and delightfully cheesy! Easy to make in the slow cooker, this pasta recipe is incredibly simple and wholly satisfying. Indulge in this comforting meal tonight – your family will thank you!

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Equipment

• 1 Crockpot between 5-6 quarts

Ingredients 

1x2x3x

• ▢ 2 pounds ground beef or try ground turkey, chicken, pork or plant based protein
• ▢ 1 large onion diced, white or yellow
• ▢ 4 garlic cloves fresh, minced
• ▢ 4 cups water measure carefully
• ▢ 4 beef bouillon cubes
• ▢ 28 ounces crushed tomatoes 1 standard can, or use petite diced tomatoes
• ▢ 30 ounces petite diced tomatoes 2 15-ounce cans
• ▢ 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• ▢ 3 bay leaves
• ▢ 2 tablespoons Italian Seasoning
• ▢ 1 teaspoon salt
• ▢ 4 cups elbow macaroni shells also work
• ▢ 1 cup cheddar cheese freshly shredded

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Instructions 

• In a nonstick pan over medium heat, cook the ground beef until it’s no longer pink, about 7-10 minutes. Drain and add to the crockpot.
  2 pounds ground beef
  
• Add the onion, garlic, water, bouillon cubes, crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, Worcestershire sauce, bay leaves, Italian seasoning, and salt. Stir well.
  1 large onion, 4 garlic cloves, 4 cups water, 4 beef bouillon cubes, 28 ounces crushed tomatoes, 30 ounces petite diced tomatoes, 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce, 3 bay leaves, 2 tablespoons Italian Seasoning, 1 teaspoon salt
  
• Cover and cook on low for 4-5 hours or on high for 2 hours.
  
• 30 minutes prior to serving, stir in the macaroni. Cover and cook just until the noodles are tender.
  4 cups elbow macaroni
  
• Remove the bay leaves and stir in the cheddar cheese.
  1 cup cheddar cheese
  
• Serve immediately so that the pasta does not turn mushy.
  

Becky’s Tips

Multi-Function Crockpot: If you are using a multi-function crockpot, cook the ground beef right in the slow cooker. Drain the beef before returning it to the pot and continuing with the recipe.

Calories: 688kcalCarbohydrates: 71gProtein: 36gFat: 29gSaturated Fat: 12gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 12gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 95mgSodium: 1259mgPotassium: 1162mgFiber: 7gSugar: 12gVitamin A: 611IUVitamin C: 21mgCalcium: 242mgIron: 7mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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How to Make Crockpot Goulash Step by Step

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Cook the ground beef: In a nonstick pan over medium heat, cook 2 pounds of ground beef until it’s no longer pink, about 7-10 minutes. Drain and add to the crockpot.

Add the flavoring: Stir in 1 large onion, 4 garlic cloves, 4 cups water, 4 beef bouillon cubes, a 28 ounce can of crushed tomatoes, a 30 ounce can of petite diced tomatoes, 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce, 3 bay leaves, 2 tablespoons Italian seasoning and 1 teaspoons salt and stir well.

Let the goulash cook: Cover and cook on low for 4-5 hours or on high for 2 hours.

Add the macaroni: 30 minutes prior to serving, stir in 4 cups of macaroni. Cover and cook just until the noodles are tender.

Remove the bay leaves and stir in the cheddar cheese. Pick out the bay leaves and stir in 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese.

Serve and enjoy: Serve immediately so that the pasta does not turn mushy.

How to Store and Reheat

Once cooled to room temperature, you can store your leftover beef goulash in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. Reheat for 30 seconds at a time in the microwave, stirring each time it stops, until warmed through.

Freeze slow cooker goulash for up to 3 months. Let thaw in the fridge before reheating. Don’t forget to date and label!

Serving Suggestions

This goulash is a meal all on its own! However, if you want to add a bit of freshness to the side, this crunchy Air Fryer Ranch Broccoli is a great kid-friendly option. These uber savory Bacon Wrapped Green Bean Bundles are also a good choice. If you’re craving a salad, this cheesy Creamy Pea Salad is simply divine.

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Crock Pot Honey Garlic Chicken

Crockpot Chicken and Rice

Crockpot Cheeseburgers (Cheeseburger Sloppy Joes)