Grandma’s Goulash
This Grandma’s Goulash is a comforting one-pot meal just like Grandma used to make! Enjoy tender noodles in a savory tomato-based meat sauce for an easy, delicious meal.
My Grandma June’s long-time partner, Clarence, was a beef farmer. Ground beef was a staple at her house. Beef and potatoes was Clarence’s favorite meal so whenever I visited I knew to expect to eat comfort food. Her Hamburger Soup was amazing!
This goulash recipe is more of an American Goulash with it’s tomato base, pasta and loads of ground beef. It’s a quick and affordable dinner idea to whip up for your family. I’m always full after eating a big heaping bowl of Grandma’s Goulash.
My grandma passed away in 2012 and I miss her dearly. I still cry when I think about her. We were very close. I love sharing recipes that remind me of her like this recipe. Grandma’s are so special.
It’s a little like a Hamburger Helper, but homemade which is 100% better, in my opinion. My fiancé ate all the leftovers himself. They lasted only a day in the fridge.
Ingredients
The full printable recipe card with measurements and instructions is found at the bottom of the post.
For this simple recipe, you’ll need the following ingredients.
- Ground beef
- Onions
- Garlic
- Salt
- Celery salt
- Worcestershire sauce
- Macaroni noodles
- Tomato juice
- Water
- Beef bouillon cubes
- Pepper
- Green onions (for garnish)
How to Make Grandma’s Goulash
- Step One: Add ground beef, onions, garlic and salt to a large skillet over medium high heat. Cook, stirring often, until beef is browned.
- Step Two: Add beef bouillon cubes to water and stir to dissolve. Add to skillet and stir.
- Step Three: Add tomato juice, Worcestershire sauce, celery salt and pepper to skillet and stir. Bring to a boil.
- Step Four: Reduce heat to medium low. Cover and simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Step Five: Add macaroni noodles. Cover and simmer on medium low for 20 minutes or until noodles are tender. Stir often so the noodles don’t stick to the bottom of the skillet.
- Step Six: Garnish with green onions and serve hot.
Equipment Needed
These kitchen tools will help you make this recipe.
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Can You Freeze Grandma’s Goulash?
Yes, you can freeze Grandma’s Goulash. Prepare the recipe and let it cool. Then store it in a freezer safe container for up to 3 months.
How to Store Grandma’s Goulash
If you end up having leftovers, store them in the fridge, covered, for up to 3 days. You can reheat them in the microwave for a few minutes and it will still taste delicious!
Can I Use Other Meat instead of Ground Beef?
If you don’t have ground beef, you could substitute ground chicken, ground turkey or ground pork in its place.
More Ground Beef Recipes
- Texas Beef Skillet
- Beef Noodle Bake
- Beef Nacho Bake
- Garden Vegetable Beef Skillet
- Cheesy BBQ Beef Casserole
- Cheesy Hamburger Supper
- Shipwreck Casserole
- Mom’s Macaroni
- Tater Tot Casserole
You’ll also like Stovetop Mac and Cheese, Meatball Sub Casserole, Baked Macaroni and Cheese and Tuna Noodle Casserole.
Do you have any recipes that you love from your grandma?
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Grandma’s Goulash
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 cup sweet onions chopped
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 ½ tsp celery salt
- 1 ½ tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 2 cups macaroni noodles uncooked
- 2 ½ cups tomato juice
- 2 cups water
- 2 beef bouillon cubes
- dash pepper
- green onions sliced, for garnish, optional
Instructions
- Add ground beef, onions, garlic and salt to a large skillet over medium high heat. Cook, stirring often, until beef is browned.
- Add beef bouillon cubes to water and stir to dissolve. Add to skillet and stir.
- Add tomato juice, Worcestershire sauce, celery salt and pepper to skillet and stir. Bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat to medium low. Cover and simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Add macaroni noodles. Cover and simmer on medium low for 20 minutes or until noodles are tender. Stir often so the noodles don’t stick to the bottom of the skillet.
- Garnish with green onions and serve hot.
Video
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
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This looks amazing, and just like how my grandma used to make it! Totally need to try this recipe soon!
Paige
http://thehappyflammily.com
Looks really yummy.
Need to try soon.
Could you use beef broth instead of the bouillon?
Yes, you can!
Will the lack of celery salt affect this much?
No, it will be fine to leave out if you don’t have any.
Just made this! Simple, very tasty, followed directions exactly. Perfect meal 🙂
Could you use tomato soup in place of the tomato juice
Yes, you can.
I teaspoon of salt plus 1 1/2 teaspoons of celery salt is way too much. I used 1 1/2 teaspoons of the celery salt and just a few twists of table salt from the grinder and my whole family thought that was even too much. Perhaps my tomato juice and even bullion contain more salt than yours. This is a good simple recipe otherwise. Definitely a keeper according to my picky kids. I will reduce celery salt to 1 teaspoon next time then season to taste at the end.
Do you need to dra8n excess grease before adding bullion to beef onion pepper mix?
If you find it’s overly greasy, then I would drain it out.
Fixing this now. I used V8 Spicey Tom Juice, added a large can of diced tomatoes and slightly bumped up the pasta measurement.
I’ve tried so many recipes for this (around here in MA we call it American Chop Suey). This is my favorite by far because it’s not too tomato-y. Perfect proportions!