One-Pot Cheesy Beef Goulash: A 30-Min Comfort Food Miracle

Oh my gosh, you have to try this One-Pot Cheesy Beef Goulash, It’s been my go-to weeknight lifesaver for years when I need something hearty, comforting, and ridiculously easy. I’m talking throw-everything-in-one-pot-and-walk-away easy. The smell alone will have your family hovering around the kitchen – that rich tomato sauce bubbling with melty cheese and tender pasta gets me every time.

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I first made this back in my tiny apartment days when I had zero counter space and even less patience for dishes. Now it’s my kids’ most-requested meal (even my picky eater cleans his plate). The best part? You probably have most ingredients sitting in your pantry right now. Just grab some ground beef, elbow macaroni, and whatever cheese you’ve got – I promise it’ll be amazing.

After making this hundreds of times (no exaggeration), I’ve perfected the balance of flavors and textures. It’s that magical combo of saucy, cheesy, and satisfying without being heavy. And cleanup? Just one pot Trust me, once you try this, it’ll become your new comfort food staple too. Try this recipe tonight and tag me in your cheesy masterpiece – I love seeing your creations.

Why You’ll Love This One-Pot Cheesy Beef Goulash

Let me count the ways this recipe will become your new best friend:

• One pot magic: Seriously – brown, simmer, stir, done. No pile of dishes mocking you afterward.
• 30-minute miracle: Faster than takeout but tastes like you slaved for hours (our little secret).
• Comfort in a bowl: That perfect combo of tender pasta, savory beef, and gooey cheese hits all the right spots.
• Kid-approved: Even my “I-don’t-like-anything” nephew asks for seconds.
• Pantry-friendly: Uses staples you probably already have – no fancy ingredients required.

Honestly, it’s the kind of meal that makes you feel like a kitchen rockstar with minimal effort. What’s not to love? If you are looking for other quick meals, check out this quick skillet chicken and broccoli recipe.

Ingredients for One-Pot Cheesy Beef Goulash

Here’s everything you’ll need to make this cozy magic happen – and I promise it’s all simple stuff The exact measurements matter here to get that perfect saucy-cheesy balance:

• 1 lb ground beef (I use 85% lean – enough fat for flavor but not greasy)
• 1 medium onion, diced (about 1 cup – trust me, it sweetens as it cooks)
• 2 cloves garlic, minced (or 1 heaping teaspoon from the jar in a pinch)
• 1 bell pepper, diced (any color works – I love red for extra sweetness)
• 2 cups elbow macaroni (the classic choice, but any small pasta shape works)
• 2 cups beef broth (low-sodium if you’re watching salt intake)
• 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce (plain, not seasoned – we’ll add our own flavors)
• 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes (don’t drain – that liquid is gold)
• 1 tsp paprika (smoked or sweet, both are delicious)
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning (or just dried oregano if that’s what you’ve got)
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (sharp is my favorite for maximum flavor)
• Salt and pepper to taste (I always add a generous pinch of each)

See? Nothing fancy – just good, honest ingredients that work together beautifully. Now let’s get cooking.

Equipment You’ll Need

Here’s the beautiful part – you barely need any equipment for this recipe Just grab:

• A large pot (at least 5 quarts – trust me, you’ll need the space)
• Wooden spoon (my favorite for scraping up those tasty browned bits)
• Measuring cups (or just eyeball it like I sometimes do – no judgment)

That’s seriously it. No fancy gadgets required – just good old-fashioned stovetop cooking at its simplest.

How to Make One-Pot Cheesy Beef Goulash

Okay, let’s dive into the magic This comes together so easily, but follow these steps exactly for that perfect saucy-cheesy-pasta harmony. I’ve made every mistake possible over the years so you don’t have to

Step 1: Brown the Ground Beef

Heat your large pot over medium heat (no oil needed – the beef has enough fat). Add the ground beef and break it up with your wooden spoon into small crumbles. Cook for about 5 minutes until it’s no longer pink, stirring occasionally. Don’t rush this step – those browned bits equal flavor gold.

Step 2: Sauté Vegetables

Now toss in your diced onion, minced garlic, and bell pepper. Oh, that smell Cook them with the beef for about 3 minutes, stirring frequently, until the onions turn translucent and the peppers soften slightly. The garlic should be fragrant but not browned – burnt garlic is the only way to ruin this dish.

Step 3: Add Pasta and Liquids

Here’s where the magic happens Stir in the uncooked macaroni, beef broth, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes (with their juices), paprika, and Italian seasoning. Give it a good stir to combine everything. Bring it to a lively boil – you’ll see bubbles forming all across the surface. This takes about 2-3 minutes.

Step 4: Simmer and Add Cheese

Reduce the heat to medium-low and let it simmer uncovered for 12-15 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. The pasta should be tender but still have a slight bite when done. Remove from heat and immediately stir in the shredded cheddar until it melts into gooey perfection. Taste and add salt and pepper as needed – I always sneak an extra pinch of each.

See? Told you it was easy Now grab some bowls and dig in while it’s piping hot. The cheese pulls are everything For another great beef dish, check out this quick beef and broccoli stir fry.

Tips for Perfect One-Pot Cheesy Beef Goulash

After making this recipe more times than I can count, here are my tried-and-true secrets for goulash perfection:

• Drain the grease if needed: If your beef releases lots of fat after browning, tilt the pot and spoon some out. Too much grease makes the sauce separate.
• Broth is your friend: If the pasta soaks up too much liquid, add splashes of hot broth until it reaches your ideal sauciness.
• Cheese lovers unite: Stir in half the cheese, then sprinkle the rest on top right before serving for that irresistible melty layer.
• Don’t overcook the pasta: It keeps softening in the hot sauce, so pull it when it’s just al dente.

Follow these simple tricks, and you’ll have the most comforting bowl of goodness every single time If you’re looking for a lighter option, consider this healthy chicken salad with grapes and walnuts.

Variations for One-Pot Cheesy Beef Goulash

Oh, the possibilities This recipe is like your favorite jeans – it looks good no matter how you dress it up. Here are my favorite ways to mix things up:

• Protein swap: Ground turkey or chicken work great for a lighter version (just add an extra tablespoon of olive oil since they’re leaner).
• Pasta party: Shells hold the sauce beautifully, or try rotini for fun spirals that catch all that cheesy goodness.
• Veggie boost: Toss in mushrooms with the onions or stir in spinach at the end – it wilts perfectly into the hot pasta.

The best part? No matter how you tweak it, you still only dirty one pot. Winning

Serving Suggestions

Oh, let me tell you how I love to serve this goulash A crusty loaf of garlic bread for dipping is absolute perfection – that crispy-on-the-outside, soft-inside texture soaks up the sauce beautifully. If I’m feeling fancy, a simple green salad with tangy vinaigrette cuts through the richness. Some nights, though? Just hand me a big spoon and step back – it’s that good all on its own.

Storage and Reheating

Here’s the beautiful thing about this goulash – it actually gets better as leftovers Just let it cool completely (I’m terrible at waiting, but trust me on this), then pop it in an airtight container. It’ll keep happily in the fridge for 3-4 days. When you’re ready to eat again, splash in a little beef broth or water before reheating – it brings back that perfect saucy texture. Microwave works fine, but I love reheating it on the stove over medium-low, stirring occasionally until it’s steaming hot. Oh, and a fresh sprinkle of cheese never hurts.

Nutritional Information

Just so you know what you’re diving into (not that you’ll care once you taste it), here’s the nutritional breakdown per serving. Keep in mind these are estimates – your exact amounts may vary depending on your ingredients:

• Calories: About 450 (worth every one)
• Protein: 25g (hello, muscle fuel)
• Carbs: 45g (pasta power)
• Fiber: 4g (from all those good veggies)
• Fat: 18g (8g saturated – that’s the cheese we love)
• Sodium: Around 800mg (use low-sodium broth if watching salt)

Now forget the numbers and enjoy – comfort food is meant to be savored (Wink)

FAQs About One-Pot Cheesy Beef Goulash

This One-Pot Cheesy Beef Goulash is a 30-minute comfort food miracle—hearty, cheesy, and incredibly easy to make with minimal cleanup. If you love one-pot wonders, you’ll also enjoy our Creamy Garlic Parmesan Pasta or our Garlic Parmesan Creamy Orzo. We’d love to see your cozy bowl—share it with us on Pinterest Find more easy family meals in our dinner recipes collection.

Now stop reading and start cooking Try this recipe tonight and tag me in your cheesy masterpiece – I love seeing your creations.

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