Crock Pot American Goulash (Printer-Friendly Version)
A flavorful slow-cooked blend of ground beef, tomato sauces, and macaroni for a hearty dinner.
# Ingredients Needed:
→ Meat
01 -
1 pound ground beef
→ Vegetables
02 -
1 medium sweet onion, diced
03 -
1 medium green bell pepper, diced
04 -
2 cloves garlic, minced
→ Canned Goods
05 -
15 ounces pasta sauce
06 -
15 ounces tomato sauce
07 -
14.5 ounces petite diced tomatoes, seasoned
→ Dry Goods
08 -
1 cup water
09 -
2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
10 -
1 tablespoon granulated sugar
11 -
2 cups elbow macaroni
# Step-by-Step Directions:
01 -
In a large skillet, brown and crumble the ground beef with diced onion and green bell pepper over medium heat until the beef is fully cooked and the vegetables are softened. Drain excess grease.
02 -
Transfer the beef mixture into a 4-6 quart slow cooker. Stir in garlic, pasta sauce, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, water, Italian seasoning, and granulated sugar. Do not add macaroni yet.
03 -
Cover and cook on low for 8-10 hours or on high for 2-4 hours, allowing flavors to meld and sauce to simmer gently.
04 -
During the last hour of cooking, stir in the elbow macaroni, cover again, and cook until noodles are al dente or to desired tenderness.
05 -
Stir gently and serve warm. Pairs well with garlic bread and a fresh salad.
# Helpful Hints:
01 -
Using fresh garlic enhances flavor over jarred alternatives.
02 -
If preferred, ground beef can be substituted with Italian sausage, ground chicken, or ground turkey.
03 -
Leftovers keep refrigerated for 3-4 days or frozen up to 3 months; note pasta texture may soften upon freezing.
04 -
For easier cleanup, use the sauté function on a compatible slow cooker.