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Home » Type » Main Courses » Beef » Instant Pot Beef American Goulash Recipe – Easy & Weeknight Friendly!

Instant Pot Beef American Goulash Recipe – Easy & Weeknight Friendly!

September 7, 2022 by Faith 1 Comment

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This Instant Pot Beef American Goulash recipe is a great one-pot family-friendly meal for busy nights. Everyone loves a good pasta dish, especially with minimal prep work and almost no cleanup! Use whatever type of pasta you like (gluten free, keto, etc.) to suit your family’s needs.

front view of beef goulash in bowl with instant pot in background

This is the Goulash I grew up with. It was one of those dishes that mom would whip up on busy nights when we had soccer practice or music lessons or some other after-school activity. 

She always made homemade meals a priority, and it was the one time every day that we sat down together as a family. Looking back, family dinners are one of the things about my childhood that meant the most to me.

hands holding bowl of goulash

The Instant Pot wasn’t a thing back then, but it makes this meal even quicker and easier! This recipe requires less than 20 minutes of hands-on prep time, and then the Instant Pot handles the rest.

If you’re not familiar with it, American Goulash is made of browned ground beef and elbow macaroni in a tomato-based sauce flavored with garlic and herbs. It’s one of those dishes that varies by region and even family, so feel free to put your own spin on it!

You can make it a balanced meal with a side salad. Additionally, stretch it out to feed 6 or 7 people by adding fresh crusty bread or garlic bread.

spread of goulash in bowl and in instant pot with side of bread

In This Article

  • Why You’ll Love This Goulash Recipe
  • The Best Instant Pot Beef American Goulash Recipe
  • Goulash Recipe FAQs
  • More Easy Instant Pot Dinners
  • Instant Pot Beef American Goulash Recipe

Why You’ll Love This Goulash Recipe

  • This is a full meal in one pot! I love a good one-pot recipe for busy nights.
  • It’s the ultimate in easy cooking with minimal cleanup, especially since we use the Instant Pot.
  • Even though we use the Instant Pot, it’s just as easy to make this dish on the stovetop!
  • You can use any type of pasta you like (such as gluten free, keto friendly, etc.).

The Best Instant Pot Beef American Goulash Recipe

Ingredients

american goulash ingredients
  • Extra-virgin olive oil
  • 90% lean ground beef
  • Onion
  • Green bell pepper
  • Garlic
  • Diced tomatoes
  • Tomato sauce
  • Tomato paste
  • Worcestershire sauce
  • Sugar
  • Dried Italian herb seasoning
  • Salt
  • Sweet paprika
  • Black pepper
  • Bay leaf
  • Elbow noodles
  • Water

Step-by-Step Instructions

how to make beef goulash in the instant pot
  1. Press the “Sauté” function on the Instant Pot and wait for it to heat up. Once hot, add the oil and beef.
  2. Cook until the beef is mostly browned (it doesn’t have to be fully browned at this point), about 4 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  3. Add the onion, bell pepper, and garlic.
  4. Cook for 2 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  5. Add the diced tomatoes with juices, tomato sauce, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, sugar, dried Italian herb seasoning, salt, sweet paprika, black pepper, bay leaf, and noodles.
  6. Give it a stir.
  7. Add the water and stir once. Press “Cancel” to stop the “Sauté” function.
  8. Cover the Instant Pot, making sure to set the lid to “Sealing”, and cook on “Manual, High Pressure” for 3 minutes. Once it’s done cooking, let the pot naturally release its pressure for 10 minutes, and then carefully release the remaining pressure and open the pot. Stir.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Cooks Tips

  • To add depth of flavor, use chicken stock instead of water. Reduce the amount of salt to 1 teaspoon.
  • For cheesy flavor and texture, stir in 2 cups of shredded cheddar or mozzarella cheese once this is done cooking.
  • Leftovers will thicken quite a bit, so feel free to add more tomato or marinara sauce when you reheat it.
american goulash recipe graphic

Goulash Recipe FAQs

What’s the Difference Between Hungarian Goulash and American Goulash?

Hungarian Goulash is a rich soup or stew with tender pieces of beef in a savory tomato-based broth flavored with onion and garlic and seasoned with a generous amount of paprika. It’s typically slow-cooked, which results in a rich and flavorful broth or gravy and fall-apart-tender meat.

On the other hand, American Goulash is a quick and easy meal consisting of ground beef, tomato sauce, and elbow macaroni that’s flavored with onion, garlic, and herbs. It sometimes contains bell peppers, paprika, and/or shredded cheese.

overhead view of american goulash in bowl

What is American Goulash Called?

American Goulash is also known as American Chop Suey, Johnny Marzetti, and sometimes just “Goulash”.

What Does American Goulash Taste Like?

If you’ve ever browned ground beef and added marinara sauce and some type of pasta, that’s what this tastes like! You can compare it to the flavor of lasagna but without the cheesiness.

close up of instant pot beef american goulash in bowl

What Should I Serve with Goulash?

The beauty of this dish is that it’s essentially a full meal in itself! However, if you want to stretch it, adding side dishes is the perfect way to do that. Here are a few things that pair well:

  • Side salad
  • Steamed vegetables, such as broccoli or green beans
  • Fresh crusty bread
  • Garlic bread
beef goulash in bowl with side salad

More Easy Instant Pot Dinners

  • Picadillo
  • 30-Minute Creamy Tortellini Soup
  • Pulled BBQ Chicken
easy goulash recipe with beef

Let’s Connect

I love hearing from you!
Did you make this recipe? Please rate it and leave a comment.
You can also tag @anediblemosaic on social media.
To stay up-to-date, follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and Twitter!
xoxo, Faith

goulash featured image

Instant Pot Beef American Goulash Recipe

By: Faith Gorsky
Instant Pot Beef American Goulash is a great one-pot family-friendly meal for busy nights. Everyone loves a good pasta dish, especially with minimal prep work and almost no cleanup!
5 from 1 vote
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 mins
Cook Time 10 mins
Time to Come to Pressure and NPR 20 mins
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 5 servings
Calories 438 kcal

Equipment

  • Instant Pot

Ingredients
 
 

  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 pound 90% lean ground beef
  • 1 large onion diced
  • 1 green bell pepper diced
  • 8 cloves garlic crushed
  • 15 ounce can diced tomatoes with juices
  • 1 cup tomato sauce or marinara sauce
  • 3 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 1 tablespoon dried Italian herb seasoning
  • 1/2 tablespoon salt
  • 1/2 tablespoon sweet paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 8 ounces elbow macaroni noodles or any small pasta shape you like
  • 2 1/2 cups water

Garnish Ideas:

  • Grated Parmesan cheese
  • Minced fresh parsley

Serving Suggestions:

  • Salad
  • Fresh bread or garlic bread

Instructions
 

  • Press the “Sauté” function on the Instant Pot and wait for it to heat up. Once hot, add the oil and beef. Cook until the beef is mostly browned (it doesn’t have to be fully browned at this point), about 4 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  • Stir in the onion, bell pepper, and garlic and cook for 2 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  • Stir in the diced tomatoes with juices, tomato sauce, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, sugar, dried Italian herb seasoning, salt, sweet paprika, black pepper, bay leaf, and noodles. Add the water and stir once. Press “Cancel” to stop the “Sauté” function.
  • Cover the Instant Pot, making sure to set the lid to “Sealing”, and cook on “Manual, High Pressure” for 3 minutes.
  • Once it’s done cooking, let the pot naturally release its pressure for 10 minutes, and then carefully release the remaining pressure and open the pot. Stir.
  • If you want a thicker sauce, turn on the “Sauté” function and cook until the sauce is thickened, stirring frequently. (This shouldn’t take more than 5 minutes; it will also thicken more as it cools.)
  • Serve garnished with grated Parmesan cheese and minced parsley.

Faith’s Tips

  • Nutrition Information: The nutritional information for this recipe was calculated without the optional garnish ideas or serving suggestions.
  • Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. It will thicken quite a bit, so feel free to add more tomato or marinara sauce when you reheat it.
  • Chicken Stock Substitute for Water: To add depth of flavor, use chicken stock instead of water. Reduce the amount of salt to 1 teaspoon.
  • If You Like Cheese: For cheesy flavor and texture, stir in 2 cups of shredded cheddar or mozzarella cheese once this is done cooking.

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts
Instant Pot Beef American Goulash Recipe
Amount Per Serving
Calories 438 Calories from Fat 144
% Daily Value*
Fat 16g25%
Saturated Fat 5g31%
Trans Fat 1g
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g
Monounsaturated Fat 8g
Cholesterol 59mg20%
Sodium 1266mg55%
Potassium 846mg24%
Carbohydrates 50g17%
Fiber 4g17%
Sugar 9g10%
Protein 25g50%
Vitamin A 914IU18%
Vitamin C 36mg44%
Calcium 90mg9%
Iron 5mg28%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Keyword American Chop Suey, American Goulash, Beef Goulash Recipe, Goulash Recipe, Instant Pot Goulash, Johnny Marzetti
Tried this recipe?Let me know how it was!
beef goulash pin

Filed Under: Beef, Instant Pot, Meal Prep, Pasta and Noodles Tagged: American Chop Suey, American Goulash, Beef Goulash Recipe, Goulash Recipe, Instant Pot Goulash, Johnny Marzetti

Comments

  1. Betsy says

    September 7, 2022 at 9:32 am

    5 stars
    It’s still my favorite quick fix meal! 🥰❤️

    Reply

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Hello and welcome to An Edible Mosaic! This is my recipe collection of international favorites and updated American classics with an emphasis on seasonal dishes. Here you’ll find a focus on real foods that sustain body and mind, bring people together, and make a house a home.

 

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I’m Faith Gorsky, the writer, cook, and photographer behind An Edible Mosaic. My goal is to inspire you to get in the kitchen and try something new! Feel free to email me with questions or comments.

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affiliate disclosure

An Edible Mosaic is monetized in part though affiliate links, and as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This means that if you click on an affiliate link and/or purchase an item after clicking on an affiliate link, I may receive a percentage of the sales price. I only recommend products that I love and use. To learn more, please read my Privacy Policy.

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