→ LET'S MAKE IT! ♥
1. Brown the ground beef.
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat.
Add the ground beef and diced onion. Cook for about 7–9 minutes, breaking the beef into small crumbles, until the meat is browned and the onion begins to soften.
Drain excess grease if necessary.
Add the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
2. Transfer everything to the crockpot.
Place the browned beef mixture into your slow cooker.
Add the diced green bell pepper, crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, beef broth, and tomato paste.
Stir everything together until well combined.
3. Add the seasonings.
Sprinkle in the Italian seasoning, paprika, oregano, black pepper, and salt.
Add the Worcestershire sauce and bay leaves.
Give everything a good stir so the seasonings are evenly distributed throughout the tomato mixture.
4. Let the flavors slowly develop.
Cover the slow cooker with its lid.
Cook on LOW for 6–7 hours or HIGH for 3–4 hours, until the vegetables are tender and the sauce is rich and flavorful.
5. Add the macaroni.
About 25–35 minutes before serving, stir in the uncooked elbow macaroni.
Make sure the pasta is mostly submerged in the hot sauce. Cover and continue cooking on HIGH until the macaroni is tender.
Check it after about 20 minutes, then continue cooking as needed. Slow cookers vary, so avoid leaving the pasta in too long.
If the mixture looks too thick, stir in a little additional hot beef broth.
6. Finish with cheese.
Remove and discard the bay leaves.
If desired, sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese over the goulash and stir gently until melted.
Taste and adjust the salt and pepper.
7. Serve warm and enjoy!
Spoon the hearty goulash into bowls and finish with freshly chopped parsley.
Serve with warm garlic bread, buttery dinner rolls, or a simple green salad.
Every bite is filled with tender pasta, savory beef, and a rich tomato sauce that makes this meal wonderfully satisfying. ♥
✧ LITTLE SECRETS FOR THE BEST CROCKPOT GOULASH
✓ Brown the beef first. This adds deeper flavor and lets you drain away excess grease before slow cooking.
✓ Use lean ground beef. It helps keep the sauce from becoming too oily.
✓ Don't add the macaroni too early. Pasta can become mushy if it cooks for several hours, so add it only during the final 25–35 minutes.
✓ Watch the pasta closely. Check for tenderness early because different slow cookers and pasta brands cook at different speeds.
✓ Want a thicker sauce? Stir in an extra tablespoon of tomato paste or leave the lid slightly ajar during the final few minutes, keeping a close eye on the pasta.
✓ Love a little heat? Add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes with the other seasonings.
✓ Make it extra hearty. Add diced mushrooms or an additional bell pepper if your family enjoys more vegetables.
✓ Prefer a cheesy finish? Cheddar, mozzarella, or a little Parmesan all make delicious additions.
❀ WHAT TO SERVE WITH IT
This hearty goulash pairs beautifully with:
✓ Homemade garlic bread
✓ Warm buttery dinner rolls
✓ A crisp green salad
✓ Steamed green beans
✓ Roasted broccoli
✓ Sliced cucumbers and tomatoes
✓ A sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan
♥ MAKE-AHEAD & STORAGE TIPS
Make ahead: Brown the beef with the onion and garlic in advance. Refrigerate it separately, then add it to the slow cooker with the remaining ingredients when ready to cook.
Refrigerate: Transfer leftovers to shallow, airtight containers within 2 hours of cooking. Refrigerate for 3–4 days.
Reheat: Warm portions in a saucepan over medium-low heat or in the microwave until steaming hot throughout. Add a splash of beef broth if the pasta has absorbed too much sauce. Reheat leftovers to 165°F (74°C).
Freeze: For the best texture, freeze the beef and tomato sauce before adding the macaroni. Store in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator, reheat, and cook fresh macaroni before serving.
A little tip: If you expect leftovers, cook the macaroni separately and stir it into individual portions. This helps prevent the pasta from becoming too soft in the refrigerator.
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
✦ TELL ME IN THE COMMENTS!
Are you a fan of classic goulash? ♥ Would you enjoy yours with extra cheddar cheese, a sprinkle of Parmesan, or just a big bowl of hearty tomato-and-beef goodness?
Save this recipe for a busy weeknight, and share it with someone who loves comforting slow-cooker meals!
Thank you for spending a little time with us today. ❤️
✍️ Written with care by BASSMA EL-HAZIBI
