Instant Pot Ground Beef Goulash Recipe (American Style) (2024)

Our Grandma used to make the BEST Ground Beef Goulash! We just made that recipe even easier, you'll love this Instant Pot Goulash!

Instant Pot Ground Beef Goulash Recipe (American Style) (1)

Our Grandma used to make the BEST Ground Beef Goulash! Full of flavor and the perfect comfort meal. We love that Stove Top Goulash recipe so much we created it in the Instant Pot!

Instant Pot Ground Beef Goulash Recipe (American Style) (2)

Goulash originally came from Hungary and it was a soup or stew that consisted of meat and peppers seasoned with paprika and other herbs and seasonings.

In America, goulash is usually made with ground beef, elbow macaroni, and tomatoes (either tomato sauce, tomato soup, and/or tomato paste).

I love that this dish is hearty and comforting, but it’s also perfect if you are trying to eat on a budget.

This isn’t your typical Hungarian goulash, but it’s delicious all the same. You’ll also love our Cheeseburger Macaroni Recipe!

Ingredients needed to make this Instant Pot Ground Beef Goulash:

  • 1 1/2 pounds ground beef1 onion, diced
  • 1 green bell pepper, diced
  • 15 ounces canned corn, drained (1 can)
  • 29 ounces tomato sauce (1 large can)
  • 30 ounces diced tomatoes (2 cans), undrained
  • 1/3 cup brown sugar
  • 2 1/2 Tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1 1/2 Tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon salt (or more to taste)
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper (more or less to taste)
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 2 cups elbow macaroni, uncooked1-2 cups beef broth

How to make this family favorite Ground Beef Goulash:

Press the SAUTE button. When the pot is hot, add in the ground beef, onions, and green pepper. Cook until beef is no longer pink. If desired, drain grease.

Instant Pot Ground Beef Goulash Recipe (American Style) (3)

Add in corn, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, brown sugar, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, and garlic powder.

Instant Pot Ground Beef Goulash Recipe (American Style) (4)

Add uncooked macaroni noodles on top, then pour beef broth on top of macaroni. DO NOT STIR, but press down the macaroni so that it’s all covered in liquid as much as possible.

Place the lid on top of the Instant Pot and turn the knob to SEALING (not venting).

Press the MANUAL or PRESSURE COOK button and set the timer for 4 minutes.

Do a QUICK RELEASE of the pressure when the timer is done (move the knob to VENTING to let out all the steam).

Remove the lid and stir everything together.

If desired, you can serve this with shredded cheddar cheese on top.

Instant Pot Ground Beef Goulash Recipe (American Style) (5)

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Instant Pot Ground Beef Goulash Recipe (American Style) (6)

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We like to serve these recipes with this Goulash:

  • 30 Minute Dinner Rolls
  • Easy Homemade French Bread
  • Easy Homemade Cornbread
  • 7 Layer Green Salad

Serves: 6

Instant Pot Ground Beef Goulash Recipe (American Style)

5 from 2 votes

The comfort and flavor of our favorite Ground Beef Goulash recipe in the Instant Pot!

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 14 minutes mins

Pressurize Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 29 minutes mins

PrintPin

Ingredients

  • pounds ground beef
  • 1 onion diced
  • 1 green bell pepper diced
  • 15 ounces canned corn drained, (1 can)
  • 29 ounces tomato sauce (1 large can)
  • 30 ounces diced tomatoes (2 15oz cans), undrained
  • cup brown sugar
  • Tablespoons soy sauce
  • Tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon salt (or more to taste)
  • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper (more or less to taste)
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • 2 cups elbow macaroni uncooked
  • 1-2 cups beef broth

Instructions

  • Press the SAUTE button. When the pot is hot, add in the ground beef, onions, and green pepper.

  • Cook until beef is no longer pink. If desired, drain grease.

  • Add in corn, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, brown sugar, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, and garlic powder.

  • Add uncooked macaroni noodles on top, then pour beef broth on top of macaroni. DO NOT STIR, but press down the macaroni so that it's all covered in liquid as much as possible.

  • Place the lid on top of the Instant Pot and turn the knob to SEALING (not venting).

  • Press the MANUAL or PRESSURE COOK button and set the timer for 4 minutes.

  • Do a QUICK RELEASE of the pressure when the timer is done (move the knob to VENTING to let out all the steam).

  • Remove the lid and stir everything together.

  • If desired, you can serve this with shredded cheddar cheese on top.

Video

Notes

  • The noodles will continue to absorb the liquid as it sits. If you reheat this for the next day, you might want to add a little liquid to it.

Nutrition

Calories: 508 kcal · Carbohydrates: 73 g · Protein: 37 g · Fat: 8 g · Saturated Fat: 3 g · Polyunsaturated Fat: 1 g · Monounsaturated Fat: 3 g · Trans Fat: 1 g · Cholesterol: 70 mg · Sodium: 1927 mg · Potassium: 1453 mg · Fiber: 6 g · Sugar: 24 g · Vitamin A: 837 IU · Vitamin C: 42 mg · Calcium: 109 mg · Iron: 7 mg

Equipment

  • Instant Pot

  • Wooden Spoon

Recipe Details

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

This post was included in our 10 of the EASIEST Weeknight Meals video – for more inexpensive and delicious recipes like this one, click here to check it out!

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Join The Discussion

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  1. Kristen says:

    My family enjoyed this recipe. Even my picky kiddos liked it!

    Instant Pot Ground Beef Goulash Recipe (American Style) (8)

  2. Olivia Clyde says:

    I love making your instant pot pasta recipes. They are so easy and good. Also your rib recipes! Yum!

  3. Momma Cyd says:

    Hi Olivia. Thanks for your sweet comment. We are so glad to hear that you are enjoying our Instant Pot recipes. We have more coming. Have a great weekend!

  4. Wanda says:

    Why does it say beef broth is divided?

  5. leanna says:

    Why does it say pressure cook 4 min and then later says 14 min, and then again later in rec 4 min.

  6. leanna says:

    I figured it out, total cook time 14min

  7. Momma Cyd says:

    It cooks for 4 minutes - that is what you set your Instant Pot cooking time for. But it will take about 10 minutes for your instant pot to pressurize before it starts counting that 4 minutes so that is why it says cook time will feel like 14 minutes. Just follow the recipe instructions and you will be fine. Hope this helps explain things.

  8. see mary cook says:

    This is so easy to prepare and has become a favorite. It's just my hubby and I at home now so I froze some to have for future meals. It was nice to just pull this out of the freezer for dinner last night. I'm trying a lot of new recipe and making my hubby rate them. He said this was definitely a five star.

    Instant Pot Ground Beef Goulash Recipe (American Style) (9)

  9. Momma Cyd says:

    We love having a supply of freezer meals. So glad to hear that you liked the IP Goulash!

  10. Marianne T says:

    Can this be made in a crock pot? Looks delicious but I don’t own an insta-pot

  11. Karen says:

    Can this be made in crockpot

  12. Momma Cyd says:

    It would take some adapting, but we also have it on the stove top - https://www.sixsistersstuff.com/recipe/grandmas-delicious-goulash/

Instant Pot Ground Beef Goulash Recipe (American Style) (10)

About The Author:

Camille Beckstrand

Camille Beckstrand is married to Jared and they have 4 kids. She loves a good true crime podcast, a big plate of cheesy loaded nachos, and going on adventures with her family.

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Instant Pot Ground Beef Goulash Recipe (American Style) (2024)

FAQs

Why is American goulash so different? ›

American goulash is more of a pasta and ground beef dish

Owing more influence to Italian-American cuisine than Hungarian, paprika isn't even a consistent addition, per Syracruse.com. The nostalgic family meal is synonymous with American chop suey, another macaroni-based one-pot dish.

What is the difference between American and European goulash? ›

American goulash is a one-pot dish of ground beef, pasta (often elbow macaroni), tomatoes and cheese. Sometimes it includes paprika, like its Hungarian counterpart. Since American goulash calls for ground beef, it cooks much faster than Hungarian goulash which relies on low-and-slow cooking to render the beef tender.

What is the difference between Hungarian goulash and regular goulash? ›

Hungarian Goulash is a thick meat and vegetable stew with a broth that's heavily seasoned with paprika, while American Goulash is a quick dish made from ground beef, tomato sauce, herbs, and elbow macaroni noodles. It also goes by the name of American Chop Suey.

What is American goulash made of? ›

Goulash Around The Globe

Hungarian Goulash is a beef and onion soup seasoned with Hungarian paprika and sometimes containing potatoes and/or carrots (often made without vegetables). American Goulash is old-fashioned goodness. It's a simple dish with ground beef and elbow macaroni in tomato sauce.

What is goulash called in the South? ›

American goulash, sometimes called slumgullion, American Chop Suey, or even Beef-a-Roni, is an American comfort-food dish popular in the Midwest and South.

What country has the best goulash? ›

Hungary's most famous food, the goulash, is a crimson-hued beef soup laced with vegetables and imparting the sweet-sharp flavor of fresh paprika. The dish is named after the herdsmen in eastern Hungary — the gulyás — who prepared this hearty soup in large cast-iron kettles.

What is another name for American Goulash? ›

American chop suey is an American pasta casserole made with ground beef, macaroni and a seasoned tomato sauce, found in the cuisine of New England and other regions of the United States. Outside New England it is sometimes called American goulash or Johnny Marzetti, among other names.

What are the two types of goulash? ›

Hungarian goulash and American goulash. Hungarian goulash is a thick soup with meat and vegetables, usually seasoned with paprika. American goulash is very different. It generally has tomato sauce, macaroni and beef.

What country is famous for beef goulash? ›

goulash, traditional stew of Hungary. The origins of goulash have been traced to the 9th century, to stews eaten by Magyar shepherds.

What to serve with beef goulash? ›

Searching for the perfect accompaniment? Try mashed potato, dumplings or your favourite veg.

How do you thicken goulash? ›

Whisk a teaspoon of flour in a little cold water to make a slurry, then stir into the stew as it's cooking. Don't add dry flour directly to the stew as it may clump. After adding the slurry, bring the stew to boil. This will cook out the flour taste and allow the starch to swell.

Is American Chop Suey and goulash the same thing? ›

As I mentioned above, American Chop Suey and American goulash are actually two names for the same dish! If you live outside of New England, you probably know this comfort food classic as “goulash.” No matter what you call it, the cozy ground beef and noodle recipe is sure to be a favorite at your dinner table!

Is Hamburger Helper the same as goulash? ›

Is goulash the same as Hamburger Helper? Almost! This American goulash is made with ground beef and macaroni pasta in a tomato-y sauce which are all characteristics of the Hamburger Helper. However, goulash is more heavily spiced and tomato-focused while Hamburger Helper tends to be creamier, and cheesier.

Can you use tomato paste instead of tomato sauce? ›

Substitute Tomato Paste For Tomato Sauce

If you have a can of tomato paste in your pantry, you are in luck—this is the best substitution for tomato sauce. All you need is the tomato paste and water. Mix together 1 part tomato paste and 1 part water until well blended. Then, season your "sauce" to taste.

What is ASA goulash? ›

Asa Goulash is deep fried fish served in a spicy sauce with tomato, onions and other vegetables and usually eaten with injera.

Why is it called American Goulash? ›

American goulash is usually referred to in the midwestern and southern United States as simply "goulash". As a descendant, of sorts, of Hungarian goulash, the only real connection seems to be the name, and the inclusion of beef and paprika.

What is the origin of American Goulash? ›

goulash, traditional stew of Hungary. The origins of goulash have been traced to the 9th century, to stews eaten by Magyar shepherds. Before setting out with their flocks, they prepared a portable stock of food by slowly cooking cut-up meats with onions and other flavourings until the liquids had been absorbed.

How many different types of goulash are there? ›

The dish originated in Hungary from where it traveled to other Central European countries and beyond. As a result, there are countless goulash variations, such as pork goulash, and even goulash made with chicken or turkey.

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