Hearty Slow Cooker Goulash Recipe: Cozy Comfort in Every Bite

My Hungarian grandmother’s slow cooker goulash recipe brings comfort straight from her kitchen to mine.

Memories of her warm embrace flood back with each spoonful of this hearty meal.

Tender beef chunks melt into a rich, paprika-infused sauce that warms you from the inside out.

Authentic flavors dance across your palate, telling stories of budapest’s culinary traditions.

Weekend meal planning becomes effortless with this one-pot wonder that simmers all day.

Minimal prep means maximum satisfaction when you serve this soul-satisfying dish.

She always said good cooking connects generations, and this goulash proves her right.

Slow Cooker Goulash Brings Easy Comfort to Busy Days

• Minimal Cooking Skills Required: Perfect for novice cooks or busy individuals, the recipe demands basic skills like browning ground beef and stirring ingredients, ensuring anyone can create a delicious meal without culinary expertise.
• Time-Saving Comfort Food: With just 10 minutes of prep and 6-8 hours of slow cooking, this one-pot wonder delivers a hearty, satisfying meal that fits seamlessly into hectic schedules while providing maximum flavor and minimal cleanup.
• Family-Friendly Crowd-Pleaser: Combining familiar ingredients like ground beef, pasta, and tomato sauce, this goulash appeals to both kids and adults, making it an ideal solution for family dinners that please everyone's taste buds.

Goulash in the Slow Cooker: Ingredients

• Ground Beef: Rich protein source for the hearty base of the goulash, best with 80/20 lean-to-fat ratio for maximum flavor.

• Onion, Garlic: Aromatic foundation that provides depth and savory undertones, fresh ingredients preferred for best taste.

• Crushed Tomatoes, Tomato Sauce, Diced Tomatoes: Creates robust tomato base with varied texture and rich red color, choose high-quality canned tomatoes for best results.

• Beef Broth: Adds rich meaty flavor and helps create perfect cooking consistency.
• Worcestershire Sauce: Provides complex umami and tangy background note.

• Elbow Macaroni: Classic pasta shape that absorbs flavors and adds hearty texture.

• Paprika, Oregano, Basil: Authentic Hungarian and Italian herb blend for traditional goulash flavor profile.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasoning for balancing and enhancing overall taste.

• Shredded Cheddar Cheese: Adds creamy, sharp finish to the dish, optional but recommended.

Slow Cooker Goulash Comfort Method

Step 1: Sizzle and Drain the Beef

Brown the ground beef in a skillet over medium heat until it loses its pink color.

Carefully drain away any excess fat to keep the dish lean and delicious.

Step 2: Build Your Flavor Foundation

Shift the cooked beef into your slow cooker.

• Chopped onions
• Minced garlic
• Crushed tomatoes
• Tomato sauce
• Diced tomatoes
• Beef broth
• Worcestershire sauce
• Paprika
• Oregano
• Basil
• Salt
• Black pepper

Stir everything together to create a rich, aromatic base that’ll make your taste buds dance.

Step 3: Slow Cook to Perfection

Cover the slow cooker and let the magic happen.

If you’re in a hurry, cook on high for 3-4 hours.

If you’ve got time to spare, let it simmer on low for 6-8 hours and watch the flavors meld together.

Step 4: Introduce the Pasta

About 30 minutes before you’re ready to eat, toss in the elbow macaroni.

Give it a gentle stir and cover the slow cooker again, letting the pasta absorb all those incredible flavors.

Step 5: Final Touch and Serve

Check that the pasta is perfectly tender.

Give it a quick taste and adjust the seasonings if needed.

For an extra treat, sprinkle some shredded cheddar cheese on top.

Serve piping hot and watch everyone come running to the table!

Set-It-and-Forget-It Tips for Slow Cooker Goulash

• Pat ground beef with paper towels after draining to remove maximum grease, ensuring a cleaner, less oily goulash.
• Add macaroni later in cooking process to prevent overcooking and maintain perfect al dente consistency.
• Bloom paprika in a hot skillet for 30 seconds before adding to slow cooker, intensifying its rich, smoky profile.
• Opt for fresh, high-quality ground beef and ripe tomatoes to elevate the overall taste and richness of the dish.
• Substitute ground beef with lean turkey or plant-based meat alternatives for a lighter, health-conscious version of goulash.

Best Way to Keep Goulash Tasting Great

• Transfer leftover goulash to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
• Pour cooled goulash into freezer-safe containers, leaving some space for expansion, and freeze for up to 2-3 months.
• Warm goulash in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally and adding a splash of beef broth to prevent sticking and maintain moisture.
• Place portion in microwave-safe dish, cover with a damp paper towel, and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval until thoroughly heated.

Slow Cooker Goulash Tasty Matches

• Pair Hearty Red Wine: A robust red like Hungarian Egri Bikavér (Bulls Blood) perfectly complements the rich, meaty goulash flavors, enhancing the dish's deep paprika and beef notes.
• Serve with Crusty Garlic Bread: Warm, crispy garlic bread provides an excellent vehicle for soaking up the savory tomato-based sauce, adding delightful textural contrast to the soft pasta and tender meat.
• Brighten with Fresh Herb Salad: A light, crisp salad featuring fresh parsley, arugula, and a tangy vinaigrette cuts through the goulash's richness, balancing the meal with a refreshing, zesty side.
• Complement with Pickled Vegetables: Traditional Hungarian pickles like savanyúság offer a sharp, acidic counterpoint to the hearty stew, cleansing the palate between bites and adding a traditional Eastern European touch.

Goulash Made With Add-On Options

• Vegetarian Goulash: Replace ground beef with plant-based crumbles or diced mushrooms for a meat-free version. Use vegetable broth instead of beef broth to maintain rich flavor.
• Gluten-Free Option: Swap regular elbow macaroni with gluten-free pasta made from rice, corn, or chickpea flour. Ensure all other ingredients are certified gluten-free.
• Spicy Hungarian Style: Add hot paprika or diced jalapeños for extra heat. Include a splash of red wine for deeper complexity and traditional Hungarian flair.
• Low-Carb Alternative: Substitute pasta with spiralized zucchini noodles or cauliflower rice. Reduce cooking time to prevent overcooking the vegetable noodles.

FAQs

• Is this recipe kid-friendly?

Yes, goulash is a crowd-pleaser for children. The rich, meaty tomato sauce and soft pasta make it a comfort food that most kids love. It’s not spicy and has simple flavors that appeal to young palates.

• Can I use ground turkey instead of beef?

Absolutely! Ground turkey is a lean alternative that works perfectly in this recipe. It will provide similar texture and absorb the delicious seasonings just as well as ground beef.

• Do I need to pre-cook the macaroni before adding to the slow cooker?

No, you’ll add uncooked macaroni directly to the slow cooker about 30 minutes before serving. The pasta will cook right in the sauce, absorbing all the wonderful flavors while becoming perfectly tender.

• What if I don't have a slow cooker?

You can make this goulash on the stovetop. Brown the beef, add all ingredients except macaroni to a large pot, simmer for about 45 minutes, then add pasta and cook until tender, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.

Slow Cooker Goulash Recipe

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4.5 from 9 reviews

• Total Time: 7 hours 10 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Hearty Hungarian Goulash brings robust flavors from Central European kitchens to your dining table with tender beef braised in paprika-rich sauce. Rich, comforting spices will draw you into this classic peasant dish that speaks directly to soul-warming comfort.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meats:

• 1.5 pounds ground beef (or cubed beef stew meat)

Tomato Base:

• 1 (28 ounces) can crushed tomatoes
• 1 (15 ounces) can tomato sauce
• 1 (14.5 ounces) can diced tomatoes, undrained

Aromatics and Seasonings:

• 1 small onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
• 1.5 teaspoons paprika
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 cups beef broth

Pasta and Topping (added later):

• 1.5 cups elbow macaroni
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional, for serving)

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Instructions

1. Thoroughly sear ground beef in a skillet over medium heat until completely browned, carefully eliminating all excess fat through proper draining.
2. Migrate the prepared meat into the slow cooker, introducing a vibrant medley of aromatics including diced onions and minced garlic to establish a robust flavor foundation.
3. Pour in crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, and diced tomatoes, creating a rich, velvety liquid base that will infuse the dish with deep, complex flavors.
4. Incorporate beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, and a harmonious blend of paprika, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper to elevate the goulash’s flavor profile.
5. Thoroughly mix all ingredients, ensuring an even distribution of seasonings and creating a cohesive, well-integrated mixture.
6. Secure the slow cooker lid and allow the ingredients to meld and develop their flavors on low temperature for 6-8 hours, or alternatively on high for 3-4 hours.
7. Approximately 30 minutes before serving, introduce elbow macaroni into the slow cooker, gently stirring to prevent pasta from clumping.
8. Replace the lid and continue cooking until pasta reaches perfect tenderness, creating a comforting, hearty texture.
9. Perform a final taste assessment, adjusting seasonings as necessary to achieve optimal flavor balance.
10. Plate the goulash while piping hot, optionally garnishing with a generous sprinkle of shredded cheddar cheese for added richness and visual appeal.

Notes

• Enhance flavor by searing ground beef with a dash of smoked paprika for deeper, richer taste profile.
• Experiment with pasta alternatives like gluten-free macaroni or whole wheat noodles to accommodate dietary restrictions.
• Reduce sodium by using low-sodium beef broth and monitoring salt content during seasoning process.
• Boost protein and nutrition by incorporating diced bell peppers or zucchini during slow cooking for added texture and health benefits.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 7 hours (on Low) or 4 hours (on High)
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: Hungarian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 420
• Sugar: 7 g
• Sodium: 850 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 36 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 24 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg