American Style Beef Goulash Recipe
I can fix your weeknight dinner problems in three words: Instant Pot Goulash. You’re welcome. Since we’re here just chatting before we cook, let me tell you about my week. Earlier this week we visited my family in Oklahoma and it was so good to see my Granny again after several long months of being stuck in Arkansas! While visiting my family, we began to reminisce about childhood memories, as families often do. One of the subjects that came up was a favorite childhood dish of mine: Beef Goulash.
The first time I came home from school and Mom told me she was making Goulash (I had never heard the word before) I thought it sounded pretty scary. haha! Then I tasted this delicious creation and I was immediately hooked, probably like most kids are once they taste it. Mom always used those fun wheel-looking noodles in her Beef Goulash and I had so much fun eating it! All the fun shaped noodles just made it that much more interesting.
Instant Pot Beef Goulash…say what?!
While I still love this beefy, noodly dish, I am often unprepared and in need of something fast and easy for our weeknight dinners. Traditional Beef Goulash tends to take some time browning the meat, boiling the noodles, making the sauce, etc. My answer? Make it in the Instant Pot! You heard me right! In only minutes and with very minimal effort on your part, dinner is served and everyone is happy. It’s a win, win! If you don’t have an Instant Pot or electric pressure cooker, you can still enjoy this delicious recipe the traditional way, it will just take a little more time. Still worth it though!
Grass Fed Ground Beef and Fresh Ingredients make this Goulash Delicious!
I use a six quart Instant Pot DUO so if you’re using a different model, the functions and settings may be slightly different. Place one pound of grass-fed (or lean) ground beef or ground turkey in the Instant Pot insert and then add one diced onion, freshly chopped parsley, and fresh minced garlic. Set the Instant Pot to the sauté feature and start cooking the ingredients. Use a meat masher or spatula to break the ground beef into small crumbles as it cooks.
Seasoned Ground Beef makes this Instant Pot Goulash Flavorful
Sprinkle in your herbs and seasonings to give this ground beef a flavorful, Italian flair. Brown the meat until it is cooked completely through and no pink remains. Don’t worry about draining the grease – if you chose a lean cut, there shouldn’t be much grease left.
Skip the Jarred Spaghetti Sauce and Make Your Own!
Making your own spaghetti sauce for this Instant Pot Goulash isn’t hard and it’s much tastier and healthier than anything bought in the stores! Since all of the seasonings you need have already been added to the meat, just add in the tomato sauce, water, and diced tomatoes. This is going to look really watery but don’t forget, we’re about to cook pasta in this too!
Use Chickpea Pasta to make this Gluten-Free Beef Goulash
Since going gluten-free several months back, I’ve started using chickpea pasta for everything. I used one pound of uncooked chickpea Casarecce pasta but any kind of pasta could be used. I’ve made this recipe with angel hair, spaghetti, rollatini pasta and it all turned out wonderfully!
How to Cook Goulash in the Instant Pot Pressure Cooker
Stir the uncooked pasta into the sauce and lock the lid into place. Set the steam release valve to seal and select “manual” and then “high pressure” for 4 minutes. Once the cooking time is complete, quick release the pressure by moving the steam release valve to the venting position. Use a spatula or long handled spoon to do this though – you don’t want the hot steam to burn your fingers and hand!
What to Serve with Instant Pot Goulash
Once the lid is removed from the Instant Pot, give the Goulash a good stir and you’re ready to serve it up! If you want to add dairy, shredded mozzarella or Italian blend cheese is delicious over the top. If you love pasta recipes, check out my Easy Spaghetti Meat Sauce.
Thank you for hanging out with me in my kitchen today! I’m always grateful to have you here and I hope you will come back to visit soon. If you try the recipe, please leave me a comment below and don’t forget to rate the recipe! Wishing you all of the sunshine your heart can hold,

Instant Pot Goulash
A fast and easy weeknight dinner, perfect for the entire family! This Instant Pot Goulash is Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, and Freezer-Friendly!
Ingredients
- 28 oz canned tomato sauce
- 14 oz diced tomatoes
- 1 medium onion diced
- 1 lb lean grass fed ground beef or ground turkey
- 1 lb uncooked chickpea Casarecce pasta or any pasta you prefer
- 28 oz water or chicken broth
- 5 sprigs fresh parsley chopped fine
- 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
- 1/2 tsp ground pink Himalayan salt
- 1 tsp dried basil flakes
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp fresh minced garlic
Instructions
Set the Instant Pot to the saute feature and spray the insert with nonstick cooking spray.
Add in the meat, onion, garlic, salt, pepper, basil, Italian seasoning, onion powder, and garlic powder.
Use a meat masher or spatula to break the ground beef into small crumbles as it cooks. Brown the meat completely through until no pink remains.
Once the meat is cooked, add in the tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, water, and uncooked pasta.
Stir all ingredients in, turn the Instant Pot off, and place the lid on.
Lock the lid in place, set the steam release valve to the sealing position, and cook on manual, high pressure, for 4 minutes.
Once the cooking cycle is complete, quick release the pressure, stir well, and taste for seasonings. If additional seasonings are needed, stir them in.
Serve hot and enjoy!
Recipe Notes
Calories and nutritional information calculated using grass fed ground beef, chickpea pasta, and water. If you substitute any of these ingredients please be sure to re-calculate nutritional information.
Please Note: Any pasta can be used in this recipe including spaghetti, angel hair, macaroni, rollatini, etc.
This looks so fresh and delicious! Thanks for sharing at the What’s for Dinner party. Have a fantastic week!
Thank you! We love it!