Hearty Crockpot Goulash

Crockpot Goulash is a hearty, old-fashioned comfort-food dinner made with ground beef, tender elbow macaroni, tomatoes, and a savory tomato sauce. Everything comes together in the slow cooker for a cozy meal that’s filling, familiar, and perfect for busy days

This is the American-style goulash many of us grew up with rather than traditional Hungarian goulash. It’s tomato-based, loaded with beef and pasta, and seasoned simply with garlic, onion, and Italian herbs

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Most of the cooking is hands-off. Once the beef is browned and everything is added to the crockpot, the sauce can slowly develop flavor while you get on with the rest of your day.

It’s also a true family-style comfort meal. Ground beef and macaroni make it filling, while tomatoes and seasonings create a simple sauce that doesn’t require anything complicated.

And leftovers are especially convenient. A bowl reheats quickly for lunch or another easy dinner the next day.

I like browning the beef before it goes into the slow cooker. It gives the meat better texture, lets you drain away excess grease, and keeps the finished sauce rich without becoming oily.

The macaroni goes in toward the end rather than cooking all day. That small detail is important because it keeps the pasta tender instead of overly soft and mushy.

FAQ

Is This Traditional Hungarian Goulash?

No. This is American-style goulash, sometimes called American chop suey. It typically combines ground beef, tomatoes, and macaroni rather than resembling traditional Hungarian goulash.

Do I Need To Brown The Ground Beef First?

Yes, I recommend it. Browning improves the flavor and texture and allows you to drain excess grease before adding the beef to the slow cooker.

Do I Cook The Macaroni First?

No. The dry macaroni is added toward the end and cooks directly in the hot tomato sauce and broth.

Why Add The Pasta At The End?

Pasta becomes very soft when left in a slow cooker for several hours. Adding it during the final 20–30 minutes gives you much better texture.

What If The Goulash Is Too Thick?

Stir in a little additional hot beef broth until it reaches the consistency you prefer.

Can I Make It Ahead?

Yes. If you’re specifically preparing it for later, consider cooking the pasta separately and combining it with individual portions. This prevents the macaroni from continuing to absorb the sauce during storage.

The macaroni continues absorbing sauce during refrigeration, so the goulash will become thicker overnight. Add a splash of beef broth or tomato sauce when reheating if needed

This Hearty Crockpot Goulash is a comforting, easy-to-make dinner packed with tender pasta, savory ground beef, tomatoes, and flavorful seasonings. Let your slow cooker do the work for a cozy, satisfying meal the whole family will love.

Weight Watchers Ground Beef Goulash

Ingredients

1 lb (450 g) 93% lean ground beef
2 cups dry whole-wheat elbow macaroni
1 medium yellow onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 cans (14.5 oz each) diced tomatoes, undrained
1 can (15 oz) low-sodium tomato sauce
2 cups fat-free beef broth
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
1 teaspoon paprika
¾ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

Heat a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the lean ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it apart with a spoon. Drain any excess fat if needed.
Add the diced onion and cook for 3–4 minutes, until softened.
Add the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds.
Stir in the diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and black pepper.
Bring the mixture to a gentle boil.
Stir in the dry elbow macaroni. Reduce the heat, cover, and simmer for about 12–15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is tender.
Remove from the heat and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Weight Watchers Tip

For fewer Points, use 93–96% lean ground beef, whole-wheat pasta, and fat-free or low-sodium broth. Avoid adding cheese or extra oil.