Pioneer Woman's Goulash Recipe: A Hearty and Easy Comfort Food Classic

This classic Goulash Recipe, reminiscent of Pioneer Woman’s approachable and flavorful style, is the ultimate comfort food for busy families. Packed with savory ground beef, tender pasta, and a rich tomato sauce, this dish is not only incredibly satisfying but also surprisingly simple to make in just about 30 minutes. If you’re searching for a fuss-free, crowd-pleasing meal that brings back nostalgic flavors, this Goulash Recipe Pioneer Woman inspired is your perfect answer.

What Makes This Goulash Recipe “Pioneer Woman” Style?

When you think of Pioneer Woman, you think of hearty, home-style cooking that’s both delicious and accessible. This goulash recipe embodies that spirit perfectly. It’s designed to be straightforward, using readily available ingredients and simple cooking techniques. Like Ree Drummond’s famous recipes, this goulash is all about delivering big flavors and comfort without demanding hours in the kitchen. It’s the kind of dish that feels like a warm hug, perfect for family dinners and potlucks alike. Just imagine the aroma filling your kitchen – it’s pure comfort food magic!

The Beauty of American Goulash: Simplicity and Flavor

American Goulash, sometimes called “Johnny Marzetti,” is a beloved classic for good reason. It’s a one-pot wonder that combines ground beef, vegetables, and pasta in a tangy tomato-based sauce. This recipe stays true to those comforting roots while offering a depth of flavor that will have everyone asking for seconds. It’s incredibly versatile and budget-friendly, making it a go-to meal for weeknights when time is short but you still crave a delicious, homemade dinner. And just like a Pioneer Woman recipe, it’s designed to feed a crowd without any complicated steps.

Key Ingredients for Your Pioneer Woman Inspired Goulash

To create this comforting goulash recipe pioneer woman style, you’ll need these simple yet flavorful ingredients:

Onion: Yellow or white onion works beautifully as a base for the savory flavors.
Green Bell Pepper: Adds a touch of sweetness and a classic goulash taste. Feel free to experiment with other colors like red or orange bell peppers for a slightly different flavor profile.
Ground Beef: The heart of this dish! Lean ground beef works great, providing a hearty and satisfying protein.
Garlic: Freshly minced garlic elevates the savory notes and adds aromatic depth.
Tomato Sauce & Diced Tomatoes: The foundation of our rich and flavorful sauce. Petite diced tomatoes are recommended for their texture.
Beef Broth: Adds moisture and deepens the beefy flavor of the goulash.
Worcestershire Sauce: A secret ingredient for umami and complexity, enhancing the overall taste.
Seasoned Salt & Italian Seasoning: Simple seasonings that bring all the flavors together.
Bay Leaves: Infuse a subtle, aromatic layer into the simmering sauce. Remember to remove them before serving!
Dry Macaroni Noodles: Classic elbow macaroni is traditional, but other small pasta shapes like ditalini or small shells will also work perfectly.
Cheddar Cheese: Sharp cheddar stirred in at the end creates a creamy, cheesy finish that’s simply irresistible.

How to Make Pioneer Woman Style Goulash: Step-by-Step

Making this goulash recipe pioneer woman inspired is as easy as 1-2-3!

Sauté the Beef and Vegetables: In a large pot or Dutch oven, brown the ground beef over medium-high heat along with diced onion and green bell pepper. Cook until the beef is no longer pink, then drain off any excess grease. Add the minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
Build the Flavorful Sauce: Pour in the tomato sauce and diced tomatoes, followed by beef broth and Worcestershire sauce. Stir in the seasoned salt, Italian seasoning, and bay leaves.
Simmer and Cook the Pasta: Add the uncooked macaroni noodles to the pot, stir well, and bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer gently until the pasta is cooked through and tender, about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
Finish with Cheese and Serve: Remove the bay leaves. Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese until melted and creamy. Serve hot and enjoy this ultimate comfort food!

Tips and Variations for Your Goulash Masterpiece

Make this goulash recipe pioneer woman inspired truly your own with these helpful tips and delicious variations:

Use a Large Pot: This recipe makes a generous amount, perfect for families or leftovers. Ensure you use a large pot or Dutch oven to accommodate all the ingredients.
Pasta Swaps: Don’t have macaroni? Feel free to substitute with other small pasta shapes like elbows, shells, or ditalini.
Leaner Protein: For a lighter version, use ground turkey or chicken instead of ground beef.
Boost the Veggies: Load up on extra vegetables! Corn, peas, diced carrots, green beans, or even baby spinach stirred in at the end are all fantastic additions.
Creamier Goulash: For an extra creamy texture, stir in a cup of sour cream or cream cheese at the very end, just before serving.
Soupier Consistency: If you prefer a soupier goulash, simply add an extra cup or two of beef broth to reach your desired consistency.

Serving Suggestions and More Comfort Food Ideas

This goulash recipe pioneer woman inspired is a complete meal on its own, but you can enhance your dining experience with these serving suggestions:

Side Salad: A simple green salad or Caesar salad provides a refreshing contrast to the richness of the goulash.
Garlic Bread or Dinner Rolls: Perfect for soaking up every last bit of the delicious sauce.
Toppings: Offer a variety of toppings like extra shredded cheddar cheese, a dollop of sour cream, fresh parsley, or a sprinkle of red pepper flakes for a touch of heat.

For more comforting dinner ideas that Pioneer Woman would surely approve of, try these classics:

Classic Meatloaf: A hearty and satisfying family favorite.
Chicken Pot Pie: Creamy and comforting with flaky pastry.
Mac and Cheese: The ultimate cheesy comfort food side or main dish.

This goulash recipe pioneer woman inspired is more than just a meal; it’s a taste of home-style comfort that’s easy to make and sure to please everyone at the table. Gather your ingredients, follow the simple steps, and get ready to enjoy a truly satisfying and delicious dish!

Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Recipe Saved! Rate this Recipe 4.95 from 2587 votes

Easy Goulash Recipe

This Ground Beef Goulash Recipe is a quick and easy one pan dinner that’s pure comfort food.

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Course: Main Dish

Cuisine: American

Servings: 10

Calories: 388 kcal

Author: Shawn

Ingredients

1 tbsp olive oil
1 cup onion, diced
1 green bell pepper, diced
2 lbs. lean ground beef
3 tsp minced garlic
2 15 oz cans tomato sauce
2 15 oz cans petite diced tomatoes
3 cups beef broth
3 tbsp Worcestershire Sauce
2 tsp seasoned salt
2 tbsp Italian Seasoning
3 bay leaves
2 cups uncooked macaroni noodles
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

US Customary – Metric

Instructions

Add olive oil to a large pot over medium-high heat. Add onion, bell pepper, and ground beef; cook until beef is no longer pink. Drain excess fat and return pot to stovetop. Add garlic and stir until fragrant (about 30 seconds).
Pour in tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, seasoned salt, Italian seasoning, bay leaves, and dried macaroni noodles. Stir and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a light boil and stir occasionally until pasta is tender, about 20 minutes.
Remove bay leaves and stir in cheddar cheese just before serving. Enjoy!

Nutrition

Keywords: Classic, Comfort, Goulash, Ground Beef, Pasta

DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE? Don’t forget to share a picture and mention @iwashyoudry on Instagram or tag #iwashyoudry!

PIN THIS IMAGE TO SAVE THE RECIPE:

Pioneer Woman’s Goulash Recipe: A Hearty and Easy Comfort Food Classic