A simple and delicious one pot meal with ground meat and pasta cooked in a tomato sauce flavored with paprika and herb seasoning. This American-style Instant Pot Goulash comes together in one pot in just 30 minutes.
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What is American Goulash?
American Goulash is a tomato, ground meat, and macaroni noodles dish, sometimes also known as American Chop Suey.
This Instant Pot Goulash recipe is a modern adaptation of the recipe. I use the Instant Pot to make it a one-pot recipe with hands-off cooking time. I also add a special ingredient to add that slow-cooked depth of flavor!
Pasta Cooking Formula for Instant Pot
Since different pasta shapes require different cook times, here is what works for me: Cut the suggested cook time on the box in half, and for a more al dente texture, I subtract 1 minute from that. So, if a box indicates the cook time as 10-11 minutes, I cook it for 5 minutes for regular, or 4 minutes for al dente texture (10/2=5; 5-1=4).
Ingredients - Notes & Substitutions
This paste comes together with some basic ingredients that are readily available at the local grocery stores. Let's discuss some key ingredients used in this dish.
- Base flavors: Red or white onion, and fresh or frozen garlic form the base flavors.
- Vegetables: I use yellow or red bell peppers in this recipe for a subtle sweet taste. You can use green bell peppers instead. Sliced celery or mushrooms can also be added to this dish. Also, if you have picky little vegetable-eaters at home, you can chop up some carrots in a food processor and add them to this recipe.
- Ground meat: I use ground turkey in this recipe because it is lean, plus I don't have to drain out the fat. But you can use ground beef for an easy Beef Goulash, or ground chicken as well.
- Broth: I like to use vegetable broth for a more well-rounded flavor, but chicken broth also works. You can skip broth and add water too. Just adjust the seasoning after cooking.
- Marinara sauce: Store-bought jar of your favorite brand works like a charm here.
- Pasta: I use whole-wheat elbow macaroni for added fiber and whole-grain goodness, but feel free to make this with regular macaroni, ditalini, or other short-cut pasta shape. Calculate the cooking time using the formula below.
- Seasoning: Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and paprika flavor this dish. And an untraditional ingredient - Soy sauce - adds that umami flavor that makes it so comforting.
How to Make Instant Pot Goulash
I prefer making Goulash in my Instant Pot because I don't have to babysit the pot while it cooks. Using a smart cooker makes it an easy one-pot dish that even my kids can put together.
Sauté aromatics, add pasta, sauce, and broth, and pressure cook. Release pressure, add cheese, and serve! That simple! Here is how I make it:
- Saute: Turn on the Instant Pot on Saute (high). When the display reads 'hot', add oil, onion, garlic, pepper, and saute for 30 seconds. Add ground meat, break it up with a spoon, and saute for 2 minutes.
- Pressure Cook: Add all spices, soy sauce, marinara sauce, and broth. Add elbow macaroni and stir. Close lid and pressure cook on Manual/Pressure Cook for 3 minutes. (Check notes for pasta cooking times in Instant Pot)
- Release Pressure: Once the cooking is done, you can release pressure immediately or after 5 minutes. If you are multiplying this recipe, I recommend waiting for 5 mins, as that prevents a mess-free release.
- Garnish and Enjoy: Open the lid after the pin drops. Serve warm and garnish with your favorite shredded cheese and enjoy!
Serving Suggestion
I like to serve a cozy bowl of goulash without any cheese, but feel free to sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese or parmesan cheese before serving.
To complete this meal with a vegetable, I serve it with roasted broccoli, air-fried green beans, or a spinach and strawberry salad.
Storage & Freezing
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
You can also freeze Goulash in an airtight freezer-safe container for up to 1 month. Thaw it in the refrigerator the night before you want to eat it. Heat it in the microwave or stove until warm and steamy.
Variation: Make it Gluten-Free
To make this recipe gluten-free, switch the regular macaroni with any small gluten-free pasta shape. Follow the time written on the box and adapt it for the Instant Pot by following the cooking time formula in the notes section.
Recipe Tips & Notes
- Using different shaped pasta: To adjust the cooking time for a different shaped pasta, I half the lower number in the suggested cook time on the box, and subtract 1 minute from that. So, if a box indicates the cook time as 10-11 minutes, I cook it for 4 minutes in the Instant Pot (10/2=5; 5-1=4).
- How to release pressure manually: Reduce the pressure cooking time to 2 minutes, and let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes (NPR 10 minutes). In that time, most of the pressure would be released naturally, and if you do a quick release at this point, it won't be that impactful.
- Adjust the quantity of water: This recipe has been tested in a 6-quart Instant Pot. If making this in an 8-quart size, adjust the water quantity to meet the minimum requirement.
- Multiplying the recipe: This recipe can be easily doubled in a 6-quart or 8-quart pressure cooker.
- Don't skip the soy sauce: This may seem like an untraditional ingredient, but it adds an element of umami to this dish. Do try it and you'll see for yourself.
FAQ
American Chop Suey and goulash aren't the same, but they're very similar. Chop Suey is a New England pasta dish with ground beef, tomato sauce, and veggies, while traditional Hungarian goulash is a paprika-spiced beef stew. In the U.S., especially the Midwest, the pasta version is often called "goulash," so the names overlap even though the originals are different.
Yes, you can. Calculate the cooking time for different pasta shapes based on the formula provided.
Yes, you can certainly make this without meat, but it won't be an American Goulash anymore.
Reader's Favorite One-Pot Pasta Dinners
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📖 Recipe
Instant Pot Goulash With Spaghetti Sauce
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Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 cup onion chopped, about 1 large white onion
- 4 cloves garlic (or 3-4 teaspoon crushed garlic)
- 1 cup bell pepper about 1 large pepper, any color
- 1 lb. ground chicken, turkey or beef
- 3 cups broth (I used low sodium vegetable broth)
- 2 cups whole grain elbow macaroni (can use regular macaroni)
- 16 oz marinara sauce (1 jar)
Spices & Seasoning
- 2 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon Italian Seasoning blend I use Trader Joe's 21 Salute seasoning
- ¼- ½ teaspoon salt adjust based on your sauce
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust to taste, add ¼ for mild or skip)
- 1 teaspoon paprika
Instructions
- Saute: Turn on Instant Pot on Saute (high). When display reads 'hot', add oil, onion, garlic, pepper and saute for 30 seconds. Add ground meat, break it up with a spoon and saute for 2 minutes.
- Pressure Cook: Add all spices, soy sauce, marinara sauce and broth. Add elbow macaroni and stir. Close lid and pressure cook on Manual/Pressure Cook for 3 minutes. (Check notes for pasta cooking times in Instant Pot)
- Release Pressure: Once the cooking is done, you can release pressure immediately, or after 5 minutes. If you are multiplying this recipe, I recommend waiting for 5 mins, as that prevents a mess-free release. You can release pressure by turning the valve to 'Venting ' position in DUO models, or , press down the pressure valve in ULTRA models.
- Garnish and Enjoy: Open the lid after the pin drops. Serve warm and garnish with your favorite shredded cheese and enjoy!
Notes
- Using different shaped pasta: To adjust the cooking time for a different shaped pasta, I half the lower number in the suggested cook time on the box, and subtract 1 minute from that. So, if a box suggests the cook time as 10-11 minutes, I cook it for 4 minutes in the Instant Pot (10/2=5; 5-1=4).
- How to release pressure manually: Reduce the pressure cooking time to 2 minutes, and let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes (NPR 10 minutes). In that time, most of the pressure would be released naturally, and if you do a quick release at this point, it won't be that impactful and long.
- Adjust the quantity of water: This recipe has been tested in a 6-quart Instant Pot. If making this in an 8-quart size, adjust the water quantity to meet the minimum requirement.
- Multiplying the recipe: This recipe can be easily doubled in a 6-quart or 8-quart pressure cooker.
- Don't skip the soy sauce: This may seem like an untraditional ingredient, but it adds an element of umami to this dish. Do try it and you'll see for yourself.
William T Snapp says
Confirmed bachelor here. This was a great recipe. I used Braggs Liquid Aminos instead of soy sauce to lower the sodium and it was great. I also added more pasta than 2 cups. I probably had almost 3 cups and it was perfect. Thanks again!
Aneesha Gupta says
That sounds great! I'm so glad you enjoyed it William!
June says
Question -- I thought this was the collection of 3QT Instant Pot recipes, but this seems to be too much for 3QT... Is it safe to assume only some of your recipes in this collection are for 3QT?
Thank you so much!
Aneesha says
Hi June, thanks for pointing it out. I think this one made it to the 3qt collection accidentally. I'll take care of this. The rule of thumb to remember is that the pot should never exceed the max line after filling with ingredients, and in case of foods that expand (rice, pasta, lentils, beans), don't fill more than 2/3rd. Hope this helps!
Stephanie says
Great easy recipe and I literally have the ingredients all the time. Perfect timing on the pasta too, 3 minutes got my macaroni perfectly al dente. Thanks for the recipe!
Aneesha says
Awesome! Glad you enjoyed it Stephanie! Thank you!
Tyler Nydahl says
Going to try this in my 3 qt instant pot by halfing all of the ingredients! I don't see there being a problem since it's goulash! From someone who lives in Minnesota this looks right up my ally! Thnks a lot!
Aneesha says
Hi Tyler! Thank you, I'd love to hear how it turns out!
Sandy says
Easy, customizable to your own liking thanks to all the great tips, and most importantly delicious! Thanks!
Aneesha says
Hi Sandy, thank you, I'm so glad you liked this recipe. And thank you for taking the time to write a review 🙂 Happy Holidays!
Pam says
This recipe was quick and easy. I had all the ingredients on hand. Next time I will cut back on the red pepper flakes as it was a bit too spicy for my children’s taste.
Aneesha says
Hi Pam, thank you! I am glad you enjoyed this recipe. I'll add a note about spice level- thanks for sharing your feedback!
Cam says
Delicious and simple!
Aneesha says
Hi Cam, thank you, I am so glad you enjoyed it!