One-Pot Slumgullion Recipe (American Goulash) | Get On My Plate (2024)

ByCasey Rooney Updated on

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You have most likely had this one-pot slumgullion before, you just didn’t know it! I’ve heard it called American Goulash, American Chop Suey, Beefaroni, and Beefy Mac! The word “slumgullion” isn’t the most appetizing name but it doesn’t matter what you call it, this is such a delicious, EASY meal! Ground meat, tomatoes, macaroni, spices, and shredded cheese all come together in one pot, and it’s perfect for the whole family!

If you love the one-pot, cheesy vibe of this meal, you have to try my Velveeta Hamburger Helper and this One Pot Creamy Cajun Chicken Orzo!

One-Pot Slumgullion Recipe (American Goulash) | Get On My Plate (1)

What you’ll love about this recipe:

  • CLASSIC AMERICAN COMFORT FOOD- This recipe is super easy and uses pretty basic ingredients and pantry spices that come together to make this incredibly flavorful dish!
  • 30-MINUTE MEAL – This dish comes together in almost exactly 30 minutes!
  • KID FRIENDLY – The pasta and cheesiness make it kid-friendly….and we won’t tell them there are some veggies hidden in there, too!

RECIPE INGREDIENTS

You’ll need the following ingredients to make this delicious One Pot Slumgullion Recipe:

One-Pot Slumgullion Recipe (American Goulash) | Get On My Plate (2)

INGREDIENT NOTES

Ground Beef: I like to use lean ground beef (90% lean or more).

Crushed Tomatoes: Canned crushed tomatoes work best but you can also put whole canned tomatoes in the food processor if you have time. A 28 oz. can of tomato sauce or diced tomatoes can also be used in a pinch, but I don’t like the flavor quite as much.

Macaroni Noodles: Regular old elbow macaroni works great and cooks up quickly. Cavatappi is also a great option, but it takes a bit longer to cook.

Cheese: Your favorite cheese works here. I always use sharp cheddar.

Brown Sugar (optional, not shown): This balances out the acidity of the tomatoes, but it’s totally optional and to taste.

HOW TO MAKE THIS EASY ONE-POT SLUMGULLION: STEP-BY-STEP

Here are some quick visual instructions. Remember that full instructions withexact ingredientswill be in the recipe card below!

Steps 1 & 2: Brown beef with seasonings. Then add onion and bell pepper and cook for a few minutes.

Steps 3 & 4: Add crushed tomatoes, beef broth, Worcestershiresauce, and macaroni. Give everything a big stir. Bring to a boil. Then, reduce heat to LOW, cover, and cook for 15 minutes until the macaroni is tender.

Top with cheese, cover, and allow the cheese to melt. Serve immediately!

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One-Pot Slumgullion Recipe (American Goulash) | Get On My Plate (6)

Confidence Tip

While the pasta is cooking, give it a few stirs every so often to ensure even cooking and that nothing is sticking to the bottom of the pan.

STORAGE & REHEATING

Storage: Leftovers are great the next day! Store leftover goulash right in the pan with a tight-fitting lid in the fridge for up to 3 days. You can store it in airtight container in the fridge for 5 days.

Reheating: To reheat, just add a splash of beef broth to the pan and heat it over medium heat until warmed through. I like adding extra cheese, too!

Freezing: You can freeze leftovers in a freezer bag or freezer-safe, airtight container. Just thaw in the fridge, then reheat using instructions above.

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ADDITIONS & SUBSTITUTIONS

ADDITIONS:

  • Brown Sugar: I like adding a few teaspoons of brown sugar to this dish to balance out the acidity from the tomatoes.

SUBSTITUTIONS:

  • Ground Meat: Ground turkey, chicken, or bison work really well in this dish, too!
  • Chili Mac: Swap out the Italian seasoning and garlic powder for 1-2 tablespoons of chili powder. Then stir in a can of black beans (drained and rinsed) at the end for a southwestern twist! Top with sour cream!
  • Cheese: Swap out the cheddar for your favorite cheese. My family loves Parmesan cheese!

PIN THIS POST FOR LATER!

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Where did the the term “slumgullon” come from?

The origin is really debatable. The Merriam-Webster dictionary says the earliest known use of the word was in Mark Twain’s Roughing It in 1872. However, in that reference, it’s a DRINK and not a stew.

Most say the term came about during the California Gold Rush to mean a “cheap, insubstantial meal” or a meal made of whatever they had on hand.

What’s the difference between slumgullion and goulash?

“True” Goulash is actually a Hungarian stew made with meat, vegetables, and lots of paprika. Most people in the United States refer to “Goulash” as a tomato-based dish with ground meat, a few veggies, and macaroni cooked in one pot. AKA: “American” Goulash. Other synonyms for this dish include: American Chop Suey, Beefy Mac, and Beef a Roni.

One-Pot Slumgullion Recipe (American Goulash) | Get On My Plate (9)
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I hope you love this One Pot Slumgullion recipe! If you make it be sure to leave a comment and a rating so I know how you liked it. Enjoy, xo!

One-Pot Slumgullion Recipe (American Goulash) | Get On My Plate (10)

One Pot Slumgullion (American Goulash)

Casey Rooney

You have most likely had this one-pot slumgullion before, you just didn't know it! I've heard it called American Goulash, American Chop Suey, Beefaroni, and Beefy Mac! The word "slumgullion" isn't the most appetizing name but it doesn't matter what you call it, this is such a delicious, EASY meal! Ground meat, tomatoes, macaroni, spices, and shredded cheese all come together in one pot, and it's perfect for the whole family!

5 from 9 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Course Dinner

Cuisine American

Servings 6

Calories 536 kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 tsp olive oil
  • 1 lb. lean ground beef 90% lean or more, if possible
  • 1 medium onion, diced (about 1/4" dice) about one cup
  • 1 green bell pepper, diced (about 1/4" dice)
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • 1 tsp seasoned salt
  • 28 oz. can crushed tomatoes
  • 2 cups beef broth
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershiresauce
  • 2 cups elbow macaroni
  • 1-2 tsp brown sugar optional, to taste
  • 1 cup cheddar cheese
  • green onions, for serving optional
  • crushed red pepper flakes, for serving optional

Instructions

  • Brown Meat: In a large skillet (make sure it has deep sides) or a large pot, over medium high heat, add 1 tsp olive oil. Add ground beef to the pan and brown the meat, breaking it up with a wooden spoon as it cooks (about 3-5 minutes). Season meat with Italian seasoning, seasoning salt, and garlic powder.

    Pro Tip: During the last minute of cooking, use a potato masher to get the meat broken up into super small bits.

  • Add Veggies: Add onion and green peppers to the beef mixture and cook 2 minutes more, stirring occasionally.

  • Add: Add crushed tomatoes, beef broth, Worcestershiresauce, and macaroni. Give everything a big stir. Bring to a boil. Then, reduce heat to LOW, cover, and cook 15 minutes or until macaroni is tender. Stir often to make sure the pasta isn't sticking to the bottom.

  • Finish: Turn off the heat. Stir in brown sugar (if using), then sprinkle cheese over pan. Cover the pan for a minute or so until cheese melts. Top with green onions and crushed red pepper and serve immediately.

Nutrition

Calories: 536kcalCarbohydrates: 60gProtein: 40gFat: 18gSaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 88mgSodium: 1337mgPotassium: 1915mgFiber: 10.5gSugar: 3.6gCalcium: 322mgIron: 10mg

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

One-Pot Slumgullion Recipe (American Goulash) | Get On My Plate (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 the difference between 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 Slumgullion made of? ›

Slumgullion, also known as American Goulash, is a deliciously easy dinner of ground beef simmered in a tomato sauce all day, then elbow macaroni added in at the end. The macaroni is cooked IN the sauce at the end, making this a one-pot dish the whole family will love!

Where did Slumgullion come from? ›

The word's etymology doesn't necessarily do it any favors: while the origins of slumgullion are somewhat murky, the word is believed to derive from slum, an old word for "slime," and gullion, an English dialectical term for "mud" or "cesspool." The earliest recorded usages of slumgullion, including one from Mark ...

What is the word Slumgullion mean? ›

[ sluhm-guhl-yuhn, sluhm-guhl- ] show ipa. noun. a stew of meat, vegetables, potatoes, etc. a beverage made weak or thin, as watery tea, coffee, or the like.

What is goulash called in the South? ›

What is goulash called in the south? Hamburger helper or beef-a-roni were popular dishes in the seventies and eighties in middle-class neighborhoods. The ingredients are mainly the same as goulash. It depends on where you heard about the recipe and the origin.

What is another name for American goulash? ›

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.

What country has the best goulash? ›

Hungary's most famous food, the goulash, is a crimson-hued beef soup laced with vegetables and imparting the sweet-sharp flavor of fresh paprika. The dish is named after the herdsmen in eastern Hungary — the gulyás — who prepared this hearty soup in large cast-iron kettles.

What is original 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.

Why is it called hobo stew? ›

Mulligan stew, also known as hobo stew, is a type of stew said to have been prepared by American hobos in camps in the early 1900s.

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 hobo stew made of? ›

A throwback to my Girl Scout days, this Hobo Stew is made with ground beef, a mixture of vegetables, canned tomatoes and V-8 juice.

Where is goulash from in the US? ›

American goulash
Alternative namesGoulash, slumgullion
Place of originUnited States
Region or stateMidwestern United States, Inland Northwest
Main ingredientsBeef or steak, paprika, pasta, tomatoes
Media: American goulash
2 more rows

Who invented 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.

Where was goulash first made? ›

Glass has always been found in nature, but the first glass created by humans can be dated to about 4,000 years ago, when craftsmen working in Mesopotamia, the land between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers, discovered the art of mixing sand, soda, and lime to make glass.

What are the two types of goulash? ›

There are two kinds of goulash: Hungarian goulash, which calls for the slow-simmered beef to be served alongside egg noodles, and American goulash, which pulls in ground beef and cooks the noodles in the pot alongside the sauce.

What's another name for goulash? ›

While the mixture of ground beef, macaroni, and tomato sauce seems simple enough, thousands of users responded with a slew of different names. Beefaroni, goulash, slumgullion, Johnny Marzetti, American Chop Suey—the list goes on.

What is the other name for American goulash? ›

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.

What's the difference between Johnny Marzetti and goulash? ›

This easy Johnny Marzetti recipe is similar to American goulash but with lots and lots of cheese. It is a comfort dinner recipe that is easy to prepare and so delicious.

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