Easy Paula Deen Goulash Recipe: Hearty Comfort in Minutes

Paula Deen’s goulash represents the ultimate comfort food that promises warmth and satisfaction in every single bite.

Rich traditional flavors merge beautifully with modern cooking techniques in this classic one-pot meal.

Hearty ingredients blend seamlessly to create a robust dining experience that feels like a genuine home-cooked treasure.

Meat lovers will appreciate the deep, savory notes that permeate each spoonful of this beloved recipe.

Families gather around steaming plates, anticipating the delicious combination of tender beef and perfectly seasoned sauce.

Comfort comes alive through carefully selected spices and carefully balanced ingredients that transform simple components into something extraordinary.

Hungry diners can expect a meal that satisfies both hunger and soul with its incredible depth of flavor: dive in and enjoy!

Why Paula Deen’s Goulash Is the Ultimate Comfort Meal

• Savor Hearty Comfort: This goulash delivers a soul-warming meal packed with rich, meaty flavors that wrap you in pure culinary comfort, perfect for chilly evenings or when you crave a satisfying home-cooked dinner.
• Quick and Easy Weeknight Winner: With just over an hour of total cooking time and simple one-pot preparation, this recipe offers a stress-free cooking experience that transforms basic ingredients into a delicious meal without complicated techniques.
• Robust Flavor Explosion: Layered seasonings like basil, oregano, and hot sauce create a complex taste profile that elevates traditional ground beef to a mouthwatering dish, ensuring every bite is packed with exciting and bold flavors.
• Nutritious One-Pot Wonder: Combining protein-rich ground beef, hearty macaroni, and vegetables, this goulash provides a balanced meal that's filling, nutritious, and requires minimal cleanup, making it an ideal solution for busy families seeking wholesome dinners.

What You Need for Paula Deen’s Goulash

• Ground Beef: Hearty protein that forms the main body of the goulash with rich, savory flavor. Choose lean ground beef for less grease.

• Water, Tomato Sauce, Fire-Roasted Tomatoes: Provide moisture and deep tomato base for the goulash. Canned fire-roasted tomatoes offer smoky undertone.

• Onion: Adds sweet and savory depth to the dish. Fresh yellow or white onions work best.

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

• Basil, Oregano: Traditional Italian herbs that enhance overall flavor profile. Dried herbs work perfectly.
• Hot Sauce, Garlic Powder, Salt, Pepper: Provide balanced heat and seasoning. Adjust to personal taste preference.

• Olive Oil: Creates initial flavor base and prevents sticking. Use extra virgin for best taste.

• Fresh Parsley: Adds bright color and fresh herb notes at serving.

How to Make Paula Deen’s Goulash

Step 1: Warm Up The Cooking Pot

Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat until it shimmers and becomes fragrant.

Step 2: Brown The Ground Beef

Add ground beef to the hot pot, breaking it into small crumbles using a wooden spoon. Cook for 8-10 minutes until meat is completely browned and no pink remains.

Step 3: Sauté Aromatic Vegetables

• 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced

Cook for 4-5 minutes until vegetables become soft and translucent.

Step 4: Create Flavor Base

• Water
• 1 can tomato sauce
• 1 can fire-roasted tomatoes
• Dried basil
• Dried oregano
• Hot sauce
• Garlic powder
• Salt
• Black pepper

Stir well, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes to develop deep flavors.

Step 5: Cook Pasta

Stir in elbow macaroni, cover, and continue simmering for 30 minutes until pasta is tender.

Step 6: Rest And Serve

Allow goulash to rest for 15-20 minutes to let flavors meld. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and serve with warm garlic bread on the side.

Pro Tips for Paula Deen’s Goulash

• Maximize Resting Magic: Give your goulash a 20-minute breather after cooking to let flavors mingle and sauce thicken, creating a more delicious final result.
• Time Macaroni Perfectly: Add pasta towards the end of cooking to prevent mushiness and ensure ideal texture that holds up in the rich sauce.
• Develop Deep Flavor Layers: Slow simmer the mixture to allow ingredients to blend thoroughly, transforming simple components into a mouthwatering meal.
• Master Vegetable Sautéing: Carefully cook onions and bell peppers until soft and translucent, releasing their natural sweetness and building incredible depth.
• Control Beef Greasiness: Choose lean ground beef and drain excess fat to keep your goulash light, tasty, and not overwhelmingly oily.

How to Store Paula Deen’s Goulash

• Freeze Wisely: Portion out goulash into individual serving sizes before freezing. Use heavy-duty freezer bags or vacuum-sealed containers to prevent freezer burn and maintain maximum flavor. Label each container with the date to track freshness, ensuring your meal stays delicious for up to 3 months.
• Refrigerate Strategically: Cool goulash completely at room temperature within 2 hours of cooking. Transfer to shallow, airtight containers to speed up cooling and prevent bacterial growth. Store in the refrigerator's coldest section, typically the back, where temperature remains most consistent. Consume within 3-4 days for optimal taste and safety.
• Reheat Perfectly: Thaw frozen goulash overnight in the refrigerator for best results. Warm in a saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally to distribute heat evenly.

Creative Twists for Paula Deen’s Goulash

• Spicy Southwest Goulash: Swap ground beef with chorizo and add diced green chilies, cumin, and chili powder for a zesty Southwestern kick.
• Mediterranean Lamb Goulash: Replace beef with ground lamb, incorporate diced eggplant, add mint leaves, and sprinkle feta cheese on top for a Mediterranean-inspired version.
• Vegetarian Harvest Goulash: Substitute ground beef with plant-based crumbles, mix in roasted butternut squash, zucchini, and bell peppers for a hearty vegetarian option.
• One-Pot Chicken Goulash: Use ground chicken instead of beef, add smoked paprika, and toss in corn kernels for a lighter protein-packed alternative.

Closing Thoughts on Paula Deen’s Goulash

Hungarian heritage meets Southern comfort in Paula Deen’s goulash, a hearty dish bridging culinary traditions.

Robust ground beef mingles with aromatic herbs, creating a soul-warming meal perfect for family gatherings.

Simmering tomatoes and spices weave complex flavor profiles throughout this classic recipe.

Layers of comfort emerge from each carefully crafted bite, telling stories of home-cooked traditions.

Macaroni adds delightful texture, transforming simple ingredients into a memorable dining experience.

Passionate cooks and weekend warriors: share this recipe, comment below, spread deliciousness across your network – delectable memories await your kitchen adventure!

Paula Deen Goulash Recipe

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4.8 from 27 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Hungarian-inspired Paula Deen goulash brings hearty comfort to dinner tables with rich beef, tender pasta, and robust tomato-based sauce. Warmth and nostalgia merge in this classic one-pot meal that satisfies hungry families with classic southern-style goodness.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 2 lbs (0.9 kg) lean ground beef
• 2 cups (473 ml) elbow macaroni
• 3 cups (710 ml) water

Vegetables and Aromatics:

• 1 large chopped Vidalia onion
• 1 chopped red bell pepper
• 4 cloves chopped garlic
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder

Sauces, Seasonings, and Tomato Products:

• 1 tablespoon (15 ml) olive oil
• 1 (29 oz / 822 g) can tomato sauce
• 2 (14.5 oz / 411 g) cans fire roasted tomatoes
• 3 tablespoons Paula Deen Hot Sauce
• 2 teaspoons dried basil
• 2 teaspoons dried oregano
• kosher salt (to taste)
• black pepper (to taste)
• parsley (to taste)

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Instructions

1. Prepare a spacious Dutch oven and warm extra virgin olive oil over medium-high heat, creating a smooth cooking surface for the ground beef.
2. Introduce ground beef into the hot oil, methodically crumbling the meat with a wooden spoon to ensure even browning, cooking for approximately 10 minutes until no pink remains.
3. Incorporate finely diced onions into the browned beef, sautéing until the vegetables become translucent and release their aromatic flavors, which takes around 5 minutes.
4. Pour in 2 cups (473 milliliters) of water, 15 ounces (425 grams) of tomato sauce, and 14.5 ounces (411 grams) of fire-roasted tomatoes, creating a rich liquid base for the goulash.
5. Season the mixture with 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) dried basil, 1 teaspoon (5 milliliters) dried oregano, 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 milliliters) hot sauce, 1 teaspoon (5 milliliters) garlic powder, salt, and freshly ground black pepper to enhance the flavor profile.
6. Cover the Dutch oven and allow the mixture to simmer gently for 20 minutes, letting the spices meld and intensify the overall taste.
7. Introduce 2 cups (473 milliliters) of uncooked elbow macaroni directly into the simmering sauce, stirring to distribute evenly and prevent sticking.
8. Replace the lid and continue simmering for an additional 30 minutes, stirring occasionally to ensure the pasta cooks evenly and absorbs the robust flavors.
9. Remove from heat and let the goulash rest for 20 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken and the flavors to fully develop.
10. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and serve hot alongside crusty garlic bread for a complete and satisfying meal.

Notes

• Maximize beef quality by selecting lean ground meat to reduce excess grease and improve overall taste.
• Transform vegetable texture through careful sautéing, releasing deep, complex flavors during initial cooking stages.
• Create robust taste profiles by allowing ingredients to simmer slowly, melding spices and developing rich, hearty characteristics.
• Protect pasta’s perfect consistency by adding macaroni strategically near the end of cooking process.
• Elevate final dish’s depth by permitting goulash to rest, enabling sauce thickening and flavor intensification.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 416
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 921 mg
• Fat: 9 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Carbohydrates: 42 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 41 g
• Cholesterol: 64 mg