Slow Cooker Poor Man’s Goulash

This easy slow cooker poor man’s goulash is a hearty, budget-friendly family dinner made with ground beef, onion, tomato sauce, and elbow macaroni. It is a simple 4-ingredient goulash recipe that delivers big comfort-food flavor with very little prep.

Perfect for busy weeknights, potlucks, Memorial Day gatherings, or feeding a large family, this classic slow cooker beef goulash cooks into a rich tomato-based pasta meal that is filling, affordable, and easy to serve straight from the crockpot.

Why You’ll Love This Easy Slow Cooker Goulash

• Budget-friendly dinner: Simple pantry ingredients help stretch your grocery budget.
• Family-friendly comfort food: Tender macaroni, savory beef, and tomato sauce make a meal kids and adults enjoy.
• Great for gatherings: This recipe makes 6 to 8 servings and stays warm in the slow cooker.
• Easy prep: Brown the beef, combine the ingredients, and let the slow cooker do most of the work.
• Perfect leftovers: The flavors become even richer after resting in the refrigerator overnight.

Servings: 6 to 8
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 4 to 5 hours on LOW, plus pasta cooking time

Ingredients

• 2 pounds ground beef, 80 to 85% lean
• 1 large yellow onion, diced
• 2 cans tomato sauce, 15 ounces each
• 3 cups dry elbow macaroni
• 1½ to 2 cups water, as needed
• Salt and black pepper, to taste

Instructions

1. Brown the ground beef.
   Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook for 7 to 10 minutes, breaking it apart with a spoon until fully browned. Drain most of the excess grease if needed.
2. Cook the onion.
   Add the diced onion to the skillet with the beef. Cook for 3 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onion begins to soften.
3. Add ingredients to the slow cooker.
   Transfer the beef and onion mixture to a 5- to 6-quart slow cooker. Pour in the tomato sauce and season with salt and black pepper if desired. Stir until well combined.
4. Slow cook the meat sauce.
   Cover and cook on LOW for 4 to 5 hours or on HIGH for 2 to 3 hours. This gives the beef and onion time to become tender and flavorful.
5. Add macaroni and water.
   About 30 to 40 minutes before serving, stir in 1½ cups water and the dry elbow macaroni. Make sure the pasta is mostly covered by the sauce. Add up to ½ cup more water if needed.
6. Cook until tender.
   Cover and cook on HIGH for 20 to 30 minutes, stirring once halfway through. Check the pasta after 20 minutes to prevent it from becoming too soft.
7. Serve hot.
   Taste and adjust the seasoning. Serve this homemade slow cooker goulash warm with garlic bread, a green salad, shredded cheese, or pickles on the side.

Serving Ideas

This comforting crockpot goulash recipe is delicious with garlic bread, buttered toast, roasted vegetables, or a crisp green salad. For a potluck-style meal, offer shredded cheddar cheese, Parmesan, hot sauce, pickles, or pepperoncini for extra flavor.

Tips for the Best Slow Cooker Beef Goulash

Use 80 to 85% lean ground beef for a richer flavor, but drain excess grease before adding it to the slow cooker. Add the pasta near the end of cooking so it stays tender instead of mushy. Stir once while the macaroni cooks to help prevent sticking.

To stretch this affordable goulash recipe further, use 1 to 1½ pounds of ground beef and add an extra ½ cup of elbow macaroni. You can also replace part of the water with beef broth for a deeper savory flavor.

For a lighter version, substitute lean ground turkey for the beef. For extra flavor, add Italian seasoning, paprika, garlic powder, or a small handful of shredded cheese before serving.

Storage and Reheating

Store leftover slow cooker goulash in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop with a small splash of water or tomato sauce to loosen the pasta.

This easy poor man’s goulash is a simple, filling, and nostalgic dinner that proves affordable ingredients can still create a meal everyone looks forward to.