Try our frugal and delicious recipe for Crock-Pot American Beef Goulash. It’s a budget-friendly, family-friendly dish that brings back the comfort of your childhood.

Slow Cooker American Beef Goulash Is A Winner
Feeding a family on a budget can be a challenge, but with the help of a Crock-Pot, you can create delicious and frugal meals that everyone will love. One such dish is American Beef Goulash, a family-friendly favorite that is sure to be a hit with picky eaters.
This recipe is made with ground beef (or ground turkey or chicken), macaroni noodles, corn, and a flavorful tomato-based sauce that is packed with all the comforting flavors of a classic goulash. And the best part? It’s weight watchers friendly, so you can enjoy a hearty meal without the guilt.
Don’t let the name fool you, this crockpot goulash recipe is an American version and is not your traditional Hungarian goulash. It has its own unique twist that will have your kids asking for seconds. The combination of ground beef cooked in a large skillet, macaroni noodles, sweet corn, and rich tomato sauce creates a dish that is both satisfying and comforting.
So next time you’re looking for a frugal dinner idea that the family will love, give this American goulash recipe a try. It’s easy to make, packed with flavor, and sure to be a hit with even the pickiest of eaters. And with the convenience of a Crock-Pot, you can set it and forget it, letting you enjoy a delicious meal with minimal effort.

Frequently Asked Questions
American Beef Goulash typically includes additional ingredients like tomatoes and macaroni noodles, giving it a unique twist on the classic Hungarian dish.
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days or in the freezer for up to 6 months. To reheat, microwave individual servings or reheat on the stovetop until heated through. You can add a splash of water or beef broth if needed to prevent sticking. Enjoy!
Absolutely! Feel free to customize your goulash by adding in vegetables like carrots, zucchini, red bell pepper, green bell pepper or mushrooms. You also can swap out the ground beef for ground turkey or even vegetarian crumbles. Using other types of pasta (such as penne or rotini) is okay too. And, you can even stir in some cheese once cooked and let it melt in.

Special Diets
More Great Crockpot Recipes!

Crock-Pot American Beef Goulash Recipe
Equipment
- 6.5 Quart Crock-Pot or larger
Ingredients
- 2 Pounds Extra Lean Ground Beef
- 1 Medium Yellow Onion (Peeled And Diced)
- 3 Cloves Garlic (Peeled And Miced)
- 72 Ounces Jarred Marinara Sauce (Three 24 Ounce Jars)
- 12 Ounces Canned Corn (Drained)
- 10 Ounces Canned Diced Tomatoes with Green Chiles (Such As RoTel Brand)
- 2 Tablespoons Italian Seasoning
- 1 ½ Pounds Elbow Macaroni Pasta
Instructions
- In a medium skillet on the stove top cook the ground beef, onion and garlic until the ground beef is cooked through and crumbled. Drain off the excess cooking fat.
- Add the cooked ground beef, onion and garlic mixture to the bottom of a 6.5 quart or larger slow cooker. Add the marinara sauce, corn, diced tomatoes with green chilies and Italian seasoning.
- Give everything a quick stir and cover and cook for 6 hours on LOW or 3 hours on HIGH.
- About 30 minutes before the end of the cooking time (or before you are ready to serve) bring a large pot of water to boil on the stove top and cook the macaroni pasta according to the package directions until they are al dente (about 7 minutes). Drain the pasta and carefully add the cooked pasta into the slow cooker and stir to coat all the pasta with the sauce mixture.
- Add shredded cheddar cheese right before serving and enjoy!



can I double all the ingredients for my 18 quart Oster roaster/slow cooker?
We have never doubled this recipe but I don’t see why it wouldn’t work Scott! Be sure to let us know how it turns out if you give it a try!
Can you add the macaroni in the beginning uncooked? We are redoing our kitchen and are without a cooktop. Just curious
72 ounces of marinara sounds like a lot! Is that the correct amount? Is this like a stew?
Sounds good – I want to make it – just want to get it right!
Yes, this is the correct amount.
Corn? What are we, Farmers? I’m not a big fan of bell peppers, but in this dish, it’s practically obligatory! Personally, I use stewed tomatoes and add fresh bell pepper too. There are almost as many variations as there are cooks!
Yes Linda, in my family we always added corn. And yes my family come from a farming background. No shame in that game. Farmers are who feed us! Of course you are welcome to add or subtract to this recipe to suit your personal tastes.