I’ve always believed that the best family recipes are the ones that can flex to everyone’s tastes.
That’s why I’m so passionate about this comfort goulash—it’s like the chameleon of dinner options.
You can keep it mild for the kiddos or kick up the heat for spice lovers, all in the same pot (or separate ones, if you’re feeling extra accommodating).
Got picky eaters at your table? Wondering how to please both your adventure-seeking teenager and your spice-averse partner?
This versatile dish might become your new mealtime hero.
Why You’ll Love This Goulash
- Quick and easy weeknight solution – Ready in under an hour with minimal prep, this one-pot wonder saves you time and cleanup on busy evenings when you need dinner fast.
- Budget-friendly family favorite – Stretches affordable ingredients like ground meat, pasta, and pantry staples into a filling meal that satisfies the whole family without breaking the bank.
- Kid-approved comfort food – Children love the familiar flavors and tender textures, while parents appreciate serving a hearty dish that gets enthusiastic requests for seconds.
- Incredibly versatile and adaptable – Works with whatever you have on hand – swap proteins, add leftover vegetables, or adjust spice levels to suit different tastes and dietary needs.
- Nutritious and satisfying – Packed with protein, vegetables, and whole grains, this balanced meal provides lasting energy and comfort while delivering essential nutrients your family needs.
Using a premium food processor helps achieve perfectly uniform vegetable cuts and saves significant prep time when making this hearty goulash.
What Ingredients are in Goulash?
My comfort goulash recipe brings simple, hearty ingredients together that create a deeply satisfying meal perfect for those chilly Wisconsin evenings.
Living in the Midwest has taught me to appreciate dishes that warm you from the inside out, and this goulash does exactly that. I’ve adapted this family recipe to incorporate locally-sourced ingredients whenever possible, something my three daughters have come to recognize as Dad’s special touch in the kitchen.
- 1 pound locally-raised ground beef (or substitute with ground turkey)
- 1 large yellow onion, diced (from local Wisconsin farms when in season)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 green bell pepper, chopped
- 2 tablespoons Wisconsin-made butter
- 2 cups Wisconsin-made tomato sauce
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
- 1 tablespoon paprika (the defining spice of traditional goulash)
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 2 bay leaves
- 2 cups elbow macaroni (uncooked)
- 2 cups beef broth (homemade or low-sodium)
- 1 cup Wisconsin cheddar cheese, shredded (optional, but delicious)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
The beauty of this recipe lies in its flexibility.
During summer months, I’ll often swap in fresh tomatoes from our local farmers’ market instead of canned, and sometimes add whatever seasonal vegetables look good that week.
For families with dietary restrictions, the protein can easily be swapped for plant-based options, and gluten-free pasta works perfectly well.
The cheese is technically optional, but honestly, in Wisconsin, is cheese ever really optional? My daughters would certainly argue it’s the most important ingredient.
For those who love outdoor cooking, this hearty goulash can be prepared using a premium grill set for an extra layer of smoky flavor.
How to Make This Goulash
Making this comfort goulash starts with browning 1 pound of ground beef in a large Dutch oven or heavy pot over medium-high heat. While the meat cooks, I like to break it apart with a wooden spoon until no pink remains—usually takes about 5 minutes.
Next, drain any excess fat, then add the 1 large diced yellow onion, 2 cloves of minced garlic, and 1 chopped green bell pepper to the pot with 2 tablespoons of Wisconsin-made butter. Let these aromatics soften for about 3-4 minutes until the onions become translucent and your kitchen starts to smell divine.
Now comes the flavor-building stage. Sprinkle in 1 tablespoon of paprika (this is what gives goulash its distinctive taste), along with 1 teaspoon dried oregano, 1 teaspoon dried basil, salt, and freshly ground black pepper.
Stir everything together, allowing the spices to toast slightly and release their aromas—trust me, this makes all the difference.
Using a stainless steel Dutch oven ensures even heat distribution and prevents hot spots that could burn your goulash.
Add 2 cups of tomato sauce, the can of diced tomatoes, 2 bay leaves, and 2 cups of beef broth, bringing the mixture to a gentle boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low, then add 2 cups of uncooked elbow macaroni directly to the pot.
Cover and let it simmer for about 12-15 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking, until the pasta is tender but still has a little bite to it.
Before serving, remove the bay leaves (a little treasure hunt my daughters always volunteer for) and taste for seasoning.
If you’re like my family, you’ll desire to stir in that cup of shredded Wisconsin cheddar cheese until it melts into creamy pockets throughout the goulash. The cheese creates this wonderful stretchy texture that my kids go crazy for.
Let the goulash rest for about 5 minutes before serving—it thickens up nicely and allows the flavors to settle into that perfect comfort food consistency.
We often serve this in deep bowls with a sprinkle of fresh parsley on top and some crusty bread on the side for sopping up every last bit of that savory sauce.
Goulash Substitutions and Variations
The beauty of this comfort goulash recipe lies in its flexibility—you can easily adapt it to fit whatever you’ve got in your pantry or to suit different dietary needs.
No elbow macaroni? Try shells, rotini, or even broken spaghetti in a pinch. Vegetarians can swap in plant-based crumbles or hearty mushrooms for the beef.
My Wisconsin roots make me partial to local cheese curds melted on top, though any good melting cheese works beautifully.
For a spicier version that my kids call “wild goulash,” I add diced jalapeños and smoked paprika.
Remember, the best substitutions honor the spirit of comfort food—simple, satisfying, and adaptable. Using premium cookware ensures even heat distribution and prevents hot spots that could burn your goulash ingredients.
What to Serve with Goulash
What’s the perfect partner for a steaming bowl of hearty goulash? I’m a firm believer in crusty bread – something substantial enough to soak up that rich sauce.
My Wisconsin roots call for a slice of buttered rye or sourdough from our local bakery.
For sides, nothing beats a simple cucumber salad with dill and sour cream. The cool crispness cuts through the paprika’s warmth beautifully.
My daughters prefer a small portion of buttered egg noodles alongside.
When we have company over, I’ll add a bright green salad with radishes and a lemon vinaigrette for contrast. Color on the plate matters, folks!
For a true Wisconsin experience, pair your goulash with a cold Spotted Cow beer – its smooth, creamy finish complements the rich paprika flavors perfectly.
Alternatively, crumble some aged Wisconsin cheddar over the top for an extra layer of sharp, tangy richness that melts beautifully into the warm stew.
Using a KitchenAid meat grinder attachment helps create the perfect texture for authentic goulash meat, ensuring each bite is consistently tender.
Final Thoughts
After creating countless pots of goulash throughout my culinary career, I’ve come to appreciate this dish as more than just food—it’s comfort in a bowl, a tradition passed down through generations, and now, a favorite in my own home.
Whether you stick with the mild version for picky eaters (my daughters certainly appreciate this approach) or kick things up with the wild variation, goulash adapts to your needs.
The beauty lies in its flexibility and forgiving nature. Wisconsin-sourced ingredients elevate it from simple to spectacular, connecting our plates to local farms.
What will your goulash story be?
