This slow cooker goulash is an easy, American-style goulash that comes together quickly and then simmers unattended until it’s rich, hearty, and full of flavor. No bland dinners here—this comforting casserole-like meal is packed with savory beef, tender pasta, tomatoes, and melty cheese that will have everyone asking for seconds.
Serve it with a crisp side salad and crusty bread for a complete meal. For ideas, try a simple cheese toast or a refreshing cucumber salad alongside.
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💖 Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Easy – This slow cooker goulash requires minimal hands-on time. Brown the beef with onions and garlic, transfer everything to the slow cooker, and let it cook until the pasta is added near the end.
- Family Favorite – Pasta, beef, and plenty of cheese make this a comforting, crowd-pleasing dish that kids and adults both enjoy.
- Filling – With meat, pasta, and a hearty tomato sauce, this goulash makes a satisfying dinner that keeps everyone full and happy.
🥘 Ingredients For Crock Pot Goulash
Ingredient Notes:
- Ground beef: Use 80/20 for good flavor and texture; brown it first so you can drain excess fat.
- Cheese: Sharp cheddar gives bold flavor and melts well. Pepper Jack, Gouda, or Swiss are good alternatives. Avoid mild mozzarella if you want more flavor.
- Pasta: Rotini works great because the sauce and cheese cling to the spirals. Elbow macaroni, penne, or shells will also work.
(See the recipe card below for ingredient amounts and complete instructions)
📖 Substitutions / Variations
- Cheese: Swap in any easily melting, flavorful cheese like Pepper Jack, Gouda, or Swiss.
- Meat: Ground turkey can replace beef; add a drizzle of oil when browning because turkey is leaner.
- Onion & garlic: Use powdered onion and garlic if you’re short on time—about 2 teaspoons onion powder and ½ teaspoon garlic powder in place of fresh.
- Herbs: Italian seasoning can replace the individual dried herbs. Adjust amounts to taste.
🔪 Instructions for Slow Cooker Beef Goulash
Step 1: In a large skillet, brown the ground beef with the chopped onion and minced garlic, breaking up the meat as it cooks. Drain any excess fat.
Step 2: Transfer the beef mixture to the slow cooker.
Step 3: Add salt, black pepper, paprika, oregano, basil, marjoram (or Italian seasoning), tomato paste, undrained diced tomatoes, and broth. Stir to combine, mashing the tomato paste into the sauce. Cook on high for 3–4 hours or low for 5–6 hours.
Step 4: During the last 30 minutes of cooking, add the uncooked pasta and set the slow cooker to low if it was on high. Cover and cook 30 minutes, or until the pasta is tender.
Step 5: When the pasta is cooked, turn the slow cooker off and stir in the shredded cheese. Cover for 5–10 minutes until the cheese melts.
Step 6: Serve immediately with bread and a side salad.
(Scroll down for the full recipe card and printable format)
💭 Expert Cooking Tips
- Brown the ground beef first to develop flavor and to allow draining of excess fat.
- Add the pasta uncooked to the slow cooker during the final 30 minutes so it absorbs flavor from the sauce and doesn’t become mushy.
- If the goulash seems dry after the pasta cooks, stir in additional broth a little at a time until the consistency is saucy but not soupy.
🧐 Recipe FAQs
Yes. Freeze for up to 3 months. The pasta may break down a bit after thawing and reheating, but the flavor remains good.
Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Add a splash of liquid when reheating from chilled or frozen to restore saucy texture.
Traditional Hungarian goulash is a paprika-forward stew with larger cuts of meat and vegetables. American goulash (also called American Chop Suey) is quicker, using ground meat, pasta, tomatoes, and simple seasonings.
You can, but browning first enhances flavor and lets you drain excess fat. For lean ground meats like turkey, add a bit of oil when browning to prevent sticking.
🍲 More One Pot Recipes
- Tuna and Rice Casserole Recipe (quick stovetop)
- Chicken Spaghetti with Rotel (easy & cheesy)
- Slow Cooker London Broil Recipe
- Crock Pot Great Northern Beans – Southern Style
If you make this Slow Cooker Goulash, please leave a star rating and share your experience in the comments. Thanks for visiting!
📋 Recipe
Slow Cooker Goulash Recipe
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Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef lean
- 1 large onion chopped
- 1 tablespoon garlic minced
- ½ teaspoon salt more to taste
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 teaspoon paprika sweet or smoked
- 1 teaspoon oregano dry
- 1 teaspoon marjoram dry
- 1 teaspoon basil dry
- 6 ounces tomato paste
- 14.5 ounces petite diced tomatoes canned, undrained
- 4 cups beef broth or chicken (more as needed)
- 16 oz rotini pasta uncooked (or other small pasta such as macaroni, bowties, or penne)
- 4 cups cheddar cheese shredded
Instructions
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In a large skillet, brown the ground beef with the chopped onion and minced garlic, breaking up the meat as it cooks. Drain any excess fat.
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Add the beef, onion, and garlic to the slow cooker. Choose high for a quicker cook or low for a longer, slower simmer.
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Stir in salt, black pepper, paprika, oregano, basil, marjoram (or Italian seasoning), tomato paste, undrained diced tomatoes, and broth. Mash the tomato paste into the mixture for an even sauce.
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Cook on high 3–4 hours or low 5–6 hours.
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In the last 30 minutes, add the uncooked pasta and set the cooker to low if needed. Cover and cook 30 minutes until the pasta is tender.
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Turn off the slow cooker, stir in the shredded cheese, and cover for 5–10 minutes until the cheese melts. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Use 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning as a shortcut if you don’t want to measure individual herbs.
- Browning the beef on the stovetop improves flavor and lets you drain excess fat.
- For ground turkey, add oil when browning to prevent sticking and add moisture.
- Substitute any flavorful, easy-melting cheese if cheddar is unavailable.
- If the dish looks too dry after the pasta cooks, stir in up to 1 cup more broth to reach a saucy consistency.