- Indulge in a comforting Slow Cooker American Goulash, featuring ground beef, sweet onion, green pepper, garlic, pasta sauce, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, Italian seasoning, sugar, and elbow macaroni. A delicious, easy-to-make family favorite!”
My mother was the comfort food queen when I was a child, and her American Goulash was the jewel in the crown. When she wanted to make the house seem warm and our appetites full, she would create this dish. I recall anticipating a filling dinner when I got home from school and smelled the delicious aroma of cooking tomatoes and beef. As I grew older and my life became busy, I discovered that I could no longer make this cherished family recipe without using my slow cooker. My go-to on hectic weeknights is now it, enveloping my house with the same cozy memories and aromas. Now that I’ve shared this dish with you, I hope it makes you and your table as happy as it has made mine.
Why This Slow Cooker American Goulash Stand Out:
- Convenience: You can set a slow cooker and forget about it, giving you more time for other things.
- Flavorful: The flavors blend together well due to the slow cooking method, giving the food a rich, gratifying flavor.
- Versatility: You can easily change the ingredients in this dish to suit your dietary requirements or taste preferences.
- Family-Friendly: This goulash is a great dish for evenings with the family because it appeals to both adults and children.
- Warm, filling goulash is the perfect dish to cuddle up with on a chilly day.
Ingredients Notes:
Before we dive into making this scrumptious Slow Cooker American Goulash, let’s chat about the ingredients. The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity and the harmonious blend of flavors.
- Ground beef: The main attraction, offering a flavorful and succulent foundation.
- Green pepper and sweet onion: These vegetables provide the meal a bit of freshness and a hint of sweetness.
- Garlic: To provide that fragrant kick, a little bit goes a long way.
- Pasta Sauce and Tomato Sauce: These rich, tangy sauces are made from tomatoes.
- Small Diced Tomatoes: To add a hint of texture and a concentrated tomato taste.
- Italian Seasoning: The traditional Italian scents of this herb blend permeate the goulash.
- Granulated sugar: Just a tiny bit to counteract the tomatoes’ acidity.
- The ideal pasta to mop up all the flavorful sauce is elbow macaroni. Now that our components are prepared, let’s start preparing!
Recipe Steps:
Let’s break down the steps to create this comforting Slow Cooker American Goulash:
- Step 1: In a big skillet, brown and crumble the ground beef and add the finely chopped sweet onion and green pepper. Cook until the vegetables are tender and the meat is thoroughly cooked. In order to prevent the dish from being overly oily, drain any extra grease.
- Step 2: Fill your slow cooker with the cooked beef mixture. This will serve as the goulash’s foundation.
Step 3: Fill the slow cooker with the chopped garlic, spaghetti sauce, tomato sauce, small diced tomatoes, water, Italian spice, and powdered sugar. To guarantee that the tastes begin to blend, stir everything together. Remind yourself not to add the macaroni just yet. - Step 4: Put the slow cooker’s lid on and simmer it on low for six to eight hours or for 2-4 hours on high. It’s essential to cook slowly in order to give the flavors time to develop and deepen.
- Step 5: Stir in the elbow macaroni that hasn’t cooked through about an hour before serving. If you want softer noodles, cook them until they are al dente, covered, and simmering.
- Step 6: Your goulash is ready to serve when the macaroni is cooked to your preference! For a full dinner, serve it with some crisp salad and fresh garlic bread.
Storage Options:
This Slow Cooker American Goulash is not only delicious but also great for leftovers! Here are some storage options to keep in mind:
- Refrigeration: Goulash leftovers can be kept in the fridge for up to three to four days if they are kept in an airtight container. Warm again on the stovetop or in the microwave until well heated.
Freezing: The goulash can be frozen for up to three months if you have a lot of leftovers. After thawing in the fridge for the night, reheat as directed.
Portioning: Before storage, think about separating the goulash into separate parts. This guarantees that you just defrost what you need and facilitates simple reheating.
Variations and Substitutions:
This Slow Cooker American Goulash is quite versatile, and you can easily make it your own with a few tweaks:
- Protein Swap: Do you dislike beef? For a lighter option, try ground chicken or turkey.
Veggie Boost: For extra taste and nutrients, feel free to add more veggies like carrots, zucchini, or mushrooms.
Cheese Please: During the final 30 minutes of simmering, mix in some shredded mozzarella or cheddar for a cheesy touch.
Spice It Up: If you want your goulash with a little bite, add some spicy sauce or a pinch of red pepper flakes.
Gluten-Free: If you have any dietary requirements or preferences, choose pasta that is free of gluten. You can alter the goulash to fit your dietary requirements and palate with these suggestions.
