Easy Slumgullion Recipe (American Goulash) (2024)

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Slumgullion (also known as American Goulash, American Chop-Suey, or Beefaroni) is a classic -and incredibly cheap – comfort meal. But make no mistake, this slumgullion recipe is anything BUT cheap-tasting. Who knew basic ingredients like pasta, ground beef, onion, and tomato sauce could make such an easy, delicious dinner?

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Table of Contents hide

1 What is Slumgullion?

2 What’s the Difference between American Goulash and Hungarian Goulash?

4 How to Make Slumgullion

5 Looking For More Comfort Food Recipes?

6 Slumgullion (American Goulash)

6.1 Ingredients 1x2x3x

6.2 Instructions

6.3 Nutrition

What is Slumgullion?

If you’ve heard of American Goulash, American Chop Suey, or Beefaroni – then you know what slumgullion is. The word slumgullion literally means “cheap meat stew”. The slumgullion recipe typically includes pasta (usually macaroni elbows), ground beef, and tomato-based sauce.

What’s the Difference between American Goulash and Hungarian Goulash?

This slumgullion recipe makes a delicious American Goulash. But before we start, keep in mind that American Goulash is NOT the same as the Hungarian Goulash you might find at restaurants.

In its most basic recipe, slumgullion is made out of beef, macaroni, and some sort of a red sauce. Hungarian Goulash, however, is the dish that features slow-simmered beef chunks in a paprika sauce.

But.. if you’re here for a classic American comfort food, you’re in the right place.

Let’s start!

Easy Slumgullion Recipe (American Goulash) (1)

What You Need to Make Slumgullion

  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 1/2lbground beef
  • 1lbpasta, cooked (I used penne, but you can use macaroni or any other types of pasta)
  • 1onion, chopped
  • 1/2 tsp onion powder
  • 1tspgarlic powder
  • 2(14 oz)cans tomato sauce
  • 1tbspbouillon, chicken or beef
  • 1tsporegano
  • 1tsp rosemary
  • salt and pepper, as needed
  • 1tbspred chili flakes (optional)
  • 3/4 cup cheddar cheese, shredded (optional, but highly recommended)
  • 1/4 cup freshparsley, chopped (optional)

How to Make Slumgullion

  1. In a large non-stick pot, add 1 tbsp olive oil. Once hot, add in onions and saute until fragrant.
  2. Add the ground beef, onion powder, garlic powder, oregano, rosemary, salt, pepper, and red chili flakes. Stir up the ground beef with your spatula to break it into chunks, and stir until meat is fully cooked.
  3. Mix in the tomato sauce and bouillon. Reduce the heat to low, and mix to combine. Allow the mixture to cook for 5-7 minutes. Turn off the heat.
  4. Add in the cooked pasta and stir the mixture to combine.
  5. You can serve the slumgullion as is at this point, or you can mix in the cheddar cheese.
  6. Sprinkle some chopped parsley and the slumgullion is ready to serve. ENJOY!
Easy Slumgullion Recipe (American Goulash) (2)
Easy Slumgullion Recipe (American Goulash) (3)

Looking For More Comfort Food Recipes?

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  • 1-Pot Vegan Cauliflower Curry (GF, DF, VG)
  • The BEST Copycat Chick Fil A Cookie Recipe
  • Baked Parmesan Zucchini (GF, V)
  • Instant Pot Chicken Wild Rice Soup (GF, DF)
  • Extra Cheesy Hot Nacho Dip (GF, V)
  • Cinnamon Swirl Pound Cake

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Easy Slumgullion Recipe (American Goulash) (4)

Slumgullion (American Goulash)

DWELL by Michelle

Slumgullion (also known as American Goulash, American Chop-Suey, or Beefaroni) is a classic -and incredibly cheap – comfort meal. But make no mistake, this slumgullion recipe is anything BUT cheap-tasting. Who knew basic ingredients like pasta, ground beef, onion, and tomato sauce could make such an easy, delicious dinner?

5 from 7 votes

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 35 minutes mins

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Servings 6 servings

Calories 457 kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 ½ pound ground beef
  • 1 pound pasta , cooked (I used penne, but you can use macaroni or any other types of pasta)
  • 1 onion , chopped
  • ½ tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 2 (14 oz) cans tomato sauce
  • 1 tbsp bouillon , chicken or beef
  • 1 tsp oregano
  • 1 tsp rosemary
  • salt and pepper , to taste
  • 1 tbsp red chili flakes (optional)
  • ¾ cup cheddar cheese , shredded (optional, but highly recommended)
  • ¼ cup fresh parsley , chopped (optional)

Instructions

  • In a large non-stick pot, add 1 tbsp olive oil. Once hot, add in onions and saute until fragrant.

  • Add the ground beef, onion powder, garlic powder, oregano, rosemary, salt, pepper, and red chili flakes. Stir up the ground beef with your spatula to break it into chunks, and stir until meat is fully cooked.

  • Mix in the tomato sauce and bouillon. Reduce the heat to low, and mix to combine. Allow the mixture to cook for 5-7 minutes. Turn off the heat.

  • Add in the cooked pasta and stir the mixture to combine.

  • You can serve the slumgullion as is at this point, or you can mix in the cheddar cheese.

  • Sprinkle some chopped parsley and the slumgullion is ready to serve. ENJOY!

Nutrition

Calories: 457kcal

Keyword beef, beef stew recipes, dinner, dinner ideas, easy dinner, easy dinner recipes, easy lunch recipes, lunch, noodles recipe, Pasta, quick lunch recipe

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

This post may contain affiliate links.Please read mydisclosure policy.

Easy Slumgullion Recipe (American Goulash) (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between goulash and slumgullion? ›

Slumgullion Versus Goulash

However, slumgullion tends to be more of a stew consistency made up with meat and whatever else is on hand. Goulash is sometimes used figuratively to mean a jumble or a hodgepodge, therefore it is also implied that the dish can include a variety of available ingredients.

What is slumgullion made of? ›

Ground beef, macaroni and tomato, great flavor and a quick cooking time.

What's the difference between Hungarian goulash and American goulash? ›

Hungarian Goulash is a thick meat and vegetable stew with a broth that's heavily seasoned with paprika, while American Goulash is a quick dish made from ground beef, tomato sauce, herbs, and elbow macaroni noodles. It also goes by the name of American Chop Suey.

What is goulash called in America? ›

American goulash, sometimes called slumgullion, is an American comfort food dish, similar to American chop suey.

What country did Slumgullion originate from? ›

The word slumgullion is an American word first seen in print in the 1870s in the story Roughin' It by Mark Twain.

What does Slumgullion mean? ›

noun. a stew of meat, vegetables, potatoes, etc. a beverage made weak or thin, as watery tea, coffee, or the like. the refuse from processing whale carcasses. a reddish, muddy deposit in mining sluices.

Why is goulash called Johnny Marzetti? ›

One of the dishes Marzetti offered her customers was a baked casserole of ground beef, cheese, tomato sauce, and noodles that she named for her brother-in-law, Johnny. Teresa Marzetti was the first person to serve the casserole Johnny Marzetti in a restaurant.

What is true goulash made of? ›

The classic “kettle goulash” is prepared by frying cubes of beef or mutton with onions in lard. Garlic, caraway seeds, tomatoes, green peppers, and potatoes complete the stew. Székely gulyás, another Hungarian specialty, is a stew of pork and sauerkraut flavoured with tomatoes, onions, caraway seeds, and sour cream.

What nationality eats goulash? ›

Originating in Hungary, goulash is a common meal predominantly eaten in Central Europe but also in other parts of Europe. It is one of the national dishes of Hungary and a symbol of the country. Its origin may be traced back as far as the 10th century, to stews eaten by Hungarian shepherds.

What should you serve with goulash? ›

Serve up a hearty goulash for the ultimate comforting stew on winter nights. Searching for the perfect accompaniment? Try mashed potato, dumplings or your favourite veg.

Are American chop suey and goulash the same thing? ›

American chop suey is an American pasta casserole made with ground beef, macaroni and a seasoned tomato sauce, found in the cuisine of New England and other regions of the United States. Outside New England it is sometimes called American goulash or Johnny Marzetti, among other names.

Why do people put sugar in goulash? ›

The secret to this recipe is adding a little sugar. It's an important step because it mellows the acidity of the tomatoes.

Are beefaroni and goulash the same thing? ›

Beefaroni (aka American Goulash) is a simple recipe most of us grow up enjoying, whether it was straight from a can or made from scratch. It's total comfort food. This is a simple recipe, made with ground beef in a homemade tomato sauce with just a few seasonings, plus elbow macaroni noodles.

What is a goulash slang? ›

goulash in American English

2. a heterogeneous mixture; hodgepodge; jumble.

What's the difference between stroganoff and goulash? ›

What is the difference between Stroganoff and Goulash? The primary difference between Stroganoff and Goulash comes down to the point that Stroganoff is a gravy whereas Goulash is a stew.

What is the real name of goulash? ›

The name originates from the Hungarian gulyás [ˈɡujaːʃ]. The word gulya means 'herd of cattle' in Hungarian, and gulyás means 'herdsman' or 'cowboy'. The word gulyás originally meant only 'herdsman', but over time the dish became gulyáshús ('goulash meat') – that is to say, a meat dish which was prepared by herdsmen.

What is the difference between goulash and Pörkölt? ›

This recipe is often confused with Hungarian goulash and in fact is often called Hungarian goulash by mistake. Authentic goulash is a meat and vegetable soup where Pörkölt is thicker, similar in consistency to beef stroganoff, and is served over noodles.

What is the difference between Ragu and goulash? ›

Often goulash is also regarded as equal with ragout. In a ragout, the pieces of meat are usually not seared before but braised immediately in broth or other liquid. Put simply, ragout = goulash without searing.

What are other names for goulash? ›

What is another word for goulash?
stewbourguignon
casseroleolio
ragoutstroganoff
meat dishmeat stew
gallimaufrypot-au-feu
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