My grandma’s old fashioned goulash recipe (we also interchangeably called it Johnny Marzetti, but it’s also known as American goulash or American Chop Suey) was one of the signature dishes of my childhood.

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There’s just something so warm and comforting about a big bowl of grandma’s old fashioned goulash with some melty cheddar cheese on top. Honestly, I could eat the stuff every day and never get tired of it!

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Old Fashioned Goulash Recipe | Easy Goulash | Johnny Marzetti | Easy Dinner Recipe | Easy Family Meal Idea #Goulash #JohnnyMarzetti

Old Fashioned Goulash Recipe

Unfortunately, I don’t have my grandma’s old fashioned goulash recipe and she sadly passed away a couple years ago. Boy, do I miss my grandma!

I had to do a little experimenting in the kitchen to get the recipe tasting the way I remember it as a child.

It’s all about coming up with just the right combination of red sauce, spices, pasta and ground beef to make the perfect goulash. Luckily, this dish is pretty forgiving and leaves you plenty of room to tweak the recipe to your own personal preferences.

Old Fashioned Goulash Recipe | Easy Goulash | Johnny Marzetti | Easy Dinner Recipe | Easy Family Meal Idea #Goulash #JohnnyMarzetti

This easy goulash recipe is also a big hit with the kids. My son and daughter are just as excited about having this goulash for dinner as my brother and I were on days when my grandma made it.

In other words, you simply can’t go wrong when you make this easy, old fashioned goulash for dinner. Trust me, your whole crew will love it!

Old Fashioned Goulash Recipe | Easy Goulash | Johnny Marzetti | Easy Dinner Recipe | Easy Family Meal Idea #Goulash #JohnnyMarzetti

This is also the type of recipe that tastes great as leftovers throughout the week. As a busy mom, it’s super important to me that my dinner recipes get plenty of miles. Being able to warm this goulash up on days two and three is such a timesaver.

Actually, I think this recipe tastes even better the second day. Isn’t it funny how that works? Am I the only one who prefers leftovers in some cases? :)

Old Fashioned Goulash Recipe | Easy Goulash | Johnny Marzetti | Easy Dinner Recipe | Easy Family Meal Idea #Goulash #JohnnyMarzetti

Be sure to watch our tutorial video below, and let me know in the comments if you love this recipe! Also, you definitely want to be following me on Instagram because I have some amazing recipes to share there this week!

More Delicious One Pot Dinners

Old Fashioned Goulash Recipe | Easy Goulash | Johnny Marzetti | Easy Dinner Recipe | Easy Family Meal Idea #Goulash #JohnnyMarzetti
4.47 from 836 ratings

Old Fashioned Goulash

Author: Crissy Page
Servings: 10 servings
This old fashioned goulash (or Johnny Marzetti) is the perfect crowd-pleasing family dinner recipe!

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds lean ground beef
  • 2 large yellow onions chopped
  • 4 cloves garlic chopped
  • 2 cups water
  • 1 cup beef broth
  • Two 15-ounce cans tomato sauce
  • Two 15-ounce cans diced tomatoes
  • 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
  • 1 tablespoon oregano
  • 3 bay leaves
  • 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
  • ยฝ teaspoon salt
  • ยฝ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ยฝ teaspoon pepper
  • 2 cups elbow macaroni uncooked
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Instructions
 

  • In a Dutch oven, saute the ground beef over medium-high heat, until no pink remains. Break up meat while sauteing; spoon off any grease.
  • Add the onions to the pot and saute until they are tender about 5 minutes. Add 2 cups water and one cup beef broth, along with the tomato sauce, tomatoes, garlic, bay leaves, Worcestershire sauce and seasonings. Stir well. Place a lid on the pot and allow this to cook for 20 to 25 minutes.
  • Add the elbow macaroni, stir well, return the lid to the pot and simmer until pasta is al dente, about 4-5 minutes. Pasta will cook a bit more when you remove from heat. IMPORTANT: be careful not to cook your pasta too long, mushy goulash is not good!
  • Remove from heat, remove the bay leaves. Serve warm and top with shredded cheddar cheese.
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Nutrition values are estimates, sourced from an online nutrition calculator. This information should never be considered a substitute for medical advice. Number of total servings shown is approximate. Actual number of servings will depend on your preferred portion sizes.
Course: Dinner

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4.47 from 836 votes (789 ratings without comment)

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174 Comments

  1. Teresa lienhart says:

    5 stars
    I have always LOVED goulash. Now I love it even MORE!! Iโ€™ve made several times. I usually have to add sugar but so much flavor!! Yum!!

  2. When do you add the garlic? Sorry if I missed that step..

  3. Laura Ostman says:

    5 stars
    Our Mom would make this for 4littke girls in the 1950s. She always called it Roman Holiday, none of us now where that name came from. It was my all time favorite YUMMM

  4. Brenda Folk says:

    It looks yummy ! I canโ€™t wait to try it ! ๐Ÿ˜‹๐Ÿ˜‹

  5. 5 stars
    Omg this is THE BEST GOULASH EVER MY FAMILY ,neighbors in-laws love it !!!!!

    1. Crissy Page says:

      Yay!! So glad you love it, thank you for letting me know. It makes me so happy!

  6. Can I make this in a slow cooker?

  7. 5 stars
    Just made this and we love it! The flavor is exceptional. Many thanks!!

  8. 5 stars
    The best goulash !!!!! Love it

  9. Can you use the shells instead of elbow macaroni?

    1. Crissy Page says:

      Absolutely. Will be delicious. :)

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