Need something cheesy, hearty, and easy? Cheesy Goulash is it! Melty cheddar, beef, and macaroni all in one pot—pure comfort food that’s quick, nostalgic, and guaranteed to vanish fast (even with picky eaters). Perfect for cozy weeknights!
Why Cheesy Goulash Is the Ultimate Comfort Food
Nothing beats beef, macaroni, and gooey cheddar for cozy comfort. Cheesy Goulash is a one-pot, flavor-packed dinner with punchy tomato sauce and classic spices—think grown-up Hamburger Helper. It’s weeknight magic, and the leftovers are legendary!
Ingredients You’ll Need (and What to Swap)
Before you start, here’s your quick ingredient checklist. Bonus: most of these live in your pantry or freezer already.
- Ground beef (I love 85% lean, but use what you have)
- Olive oil
- Onion (yellow or white, you do you)
- Garlic (more is more, trust me)
- Tomato paste
- Crushed tomatoes (or diced if you like a chunkier vibe)
- Chicken broth
- Soy sauce (it’s the sneaky flavor boost)
- Elbow macaroni (or small shells, rotini, whatever’s in the pantry)
- Cheddar cheese (sharp, shredded, and plenty of it)
- Classic seasonings: oregano, basil, salt, pepper, and a little red pepper flakes if you like some kick
- Bay leaves (for that slow-cooked flavor, minus the time)
Ingredient Swaps & Add-Ins
- Use ground turkey or chicken if you want something lighter.
- Add diced bell peppers or carrots for extra veggies.
- Mix in mozzarella or pepper jack with your cheddar for extra gooeyness.
- Sub in veggie broth for a meatless version (just use meatless crumbles or lentils).
For precise amounts, check the recipe card at the end of the post.
How to Make Cheesy Goulash (Step-by-Step)
Ready to become a dinner legend? Here’s how you pull it off, with zero stress and max flavor.
Step 1: Soften the Onions
Get a big ol’ pot (Dutch oven = perfection) and heat your olive oil over medium. Toss in the diced onions and cook until they start to look translucent around the edges—about 5 minutes. This is when your kitchen starts to smell amazing.
Step 2: Brown the Beef
Add your ground beef. Use a spoon to break it up and let it get browned and crumbly. Don’t rush it! Letting it really brown brings out the best flavor.
Step 3: Layer in Flavor
Next, garlic goes in. Give it about 30 seconds (no burnt garlic, please), then add the tomato paste, salt, oregano, basil, pepper, and red pepper flakes if you want some spice. Stir everything so the beef is coated and the aroma is chef’s kiss.
Step 4: Make the Sauce
Dump in your crushed tomatoes, chicken broth, soy sauce, and bay leaves. Give everything a good stir, bring it to a simmer, slap on the lid, and let it cook away for 25 minutes. You barely have to touch it—just let the flavors get all cozy together.
Step 5: Add Pasta
Fish out those bay leaves (no one wants to chomp on those), then stir in your uncooked macaroni. Put the lid back on and cook, stirring every few minutes, until the pasta is perfectly al dente—usually about 10–15 minutes. If the sauce gets too thick, add a splash more broth or water.
Step 6: Get Cheesy
Turn off the heat, scatter all that glorious cheddar cheese over the top, pop the lid back on, and let it melt for 2–3 minutes. Resist the urge to stir! When you lift the lid, you’ll be greeted with a golden, gooey layer ready to scoop up.
Step 7: Serve and Enjoy
Grab your bowls, ladle it up, and enjoy every cozy, cheesy bite. Leftovers heat up beautifully, if you’re lucky enough to have any!
Tips for the Best Cheesy Goulash Every Time
- Brown that beef! Take a few extra minutes to get it nicely browned—it builds so much flavor.
- Season in layers. Don’t just dump everything in at once. Let those spices hit the beef and sizzle before adding the liquids.
- Hands-off simmer. Most of the cooking is covered and hands-off, so go ahead and pour yourself a drink or wrangle the kids.
- Don’t overcook the pasta. It’ll keep soaking up sauce as it sits, so shoot for al dente.
- Cheese at the end. Add the cheddar after you turn off the heat, cover, and let the magic happen. No stirring required—the steam does all the work!
Serving Ideas for Maximum Cozy Vibes
- Serve with a side of crusty garlic bread (to mop up all that sauce).
- Pair with a simple green salad or roasted veggies for balance.
- Top with fresh parsley, a dollop of sour cream, or a little extra hot sauce for those who like it spicy.
Storing & Reheating
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave (add a splash of broth if it looks thick).
- Freezer: You can freeze it, but pasta does get a little softer after thawing. If that doesn’t bother you, freeze in individual containers for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
- Meal Prep Tip: Make the base ahead, then add the cheese fresh right before serving for best results.
Make-Ahead Tips
Cheesy Goulash is a meal prep superstar! You can make the sauce (steps 1–4) a day or two in advance, then finish with pasta and cheese when you’re ready to eat. Or make the whole thing, skip the cheese, and add it after reheating for next-day melty goodness.
Troubleshooting: Goulash Edition
- Why is my pasta taking forever to cook? Don’t panic—pasta cooked in sauce (instead of water) always takes a bit longer. Just keep stirring and be patient!
- Too thick? Add more broth, splash by splash, until you hit your preferred sauciness.
- Too runny? Let it simmer uncovered for a few minutes to thicken up.
Shortcuts for Busy Nights
- Use rotisserie chicken (shredded) instead of beef.
- Substitute your favorite jarred marinara for the tomatoes and paste.
- Skip the bay leaves if you don’t have any—no one’s judging!
Cozy Cheesy Goulash Stories
If you grew up eating goulash, you know it’s the definition of comfort food—hearty, humble, and totally adaptable. Even if it wasn’t on your family table, making this just once is enough to get you hooked. Kids love it. Grown-ups get obsessed. And you? You get all the credit for an easy, soul-warming dinner.
FAQ
Absolutely! Elbow macaroni is classic, but small shells, rotini, or even penne will work. Just keep an eye on the cooking time—thicker pasta may take a little longer.
Yep! You can make the whole thing, skip the cheese, and reheat gently on the stove before adding cheese fresh. The sauce develops even more flavor overnight.
You can! The texture of the pasta will be softer after thawing, but if that doesn’t bother you, go for it. Freeze in airtight containers for up to 3 months, thaw in the fridge, then reheat gently.
Crusty bread and a green salad are classics! Roasted green beans, steamed broccoli, or zucchini also make perfect veggie sides. You want something fresh and simple to balance the rich, cheesy goodness.
Cheesy Goulash
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 4–5 servings 1x
Description
The ultimate cozy, cheesy one-pot dinner with beef, macaroni, and melty cheddar—perfect for busy weeknights and nostalgic comfort cravings.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ large onion, diced
- 1 pound ground beef (85% lean recommended)
- 4 cloves garlic, crushed or minced
- ¼ cup tomato paste
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon dried basil
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- Pinch red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 2 bay leaves
- 6 ounces (about 1½ cups) elbow macaroni
- 1 cup (4 ounces) shredded sharp cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onions and cook until they start to turn translucent, about 5 minutes.
- Add ground beef, breaking it up into crumbles, and cook until browned.
- Stir in garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Add tomato paste, salt, oregano, basil, pepper, and optional red pepper flakes. Stir until everything is coated and fragrant, 1–2 minutes.
- Add crushed tomatoes, chicken broth, soy sauce, and bay leaves. Stir well, cover, and simmer for 25 minutes.
- Remove bay leaves. Stir in elbow macaroni, cover again, and simmer, stirring occasionally, until pasta is al dente, about 10–15 minutes.
- Turn off heat. Sprinkle cheddar cheese over the top, cover, and let sit for 2–3 minutes until cheese is melted.
- Scoop into bowls and enjoy all the cozy vibes!
Notes
Add extra broth if your sauce gets too thick. Use ground turkey for a lighter version. Make ahead and add cheese just before serving for best meltiness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Category: Comfort Food
- Method: One Pot
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 750mg
- Fat: 29g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 29g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
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