Name: Cheesy Beef Goulash
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 1/2 lb lean ground beef; 1/2 cup onions (chopped & uncooked); 14.5 oz can stewed tomatoes (undrained); 1-1/2 cups tomato juice; 2 oz green chiles; 1 tsp chili powder; 1 cup elbow macaroni (uncooked); 15.5 oz canned pinto beans (rinsed & drained); 1/4 cup low-fat, shredded cheddar cheese

A combination of beans, pasta, meat and tomatoes this hearty one skillet meal for Goulash with tomato juice can be made in under 30 minutes.

White bowl full of warm and flavorful goulash with tomato juice, elbow macaroni, beef, beans and a sprinkling of cheddar cheese on top.

If you enjoy this recipe you may also enjoy Cube Steak with Gravy and Crock Pot Beef Vegetable Soup.

Goulash With Tomato Juice Recipe

Stewed tomatoes nestled in a combination of pasta, beans and ground beef cooking in tomato juice to create an easy homemade goulash recipe.

A friend shared this one-pot cheesy beef goulash recipe that is only 7 points per serving on the Weight Watchers plan. We like how this meal is more meaty and less soupy than our Farmhouse Chili. The pinto beans are a low calorie way to add fiber and flavor to our goulash.

Just like our Hamburger and Cabbage Casserole and Kielbasa and Pierogis this is one of those traditional Midwest winter meals we enjoy serving.

Silver serving spoon lifting cheesy goulash with pasta, beef, pinto beans and chunks of tomatoes above the delicious skillet full on a red and white plaid napkin.

While the recipe is cheesy to start with extra cheese can always be added after reheating to make the beef goulash with tomato juice have more flavor.

Why This Recipe Works

The recipe could be easily doubled to make a large meal or plenty of leftovers and the liquid makes it easy to keep warm while waiting to serve if necessary.
When reheating add a splash of tomato juice and sprinkling of a little more cheese if you please.
Excellent one-skillet meals that warms us up in the winter after working outside on the farm. This is a great new recipe to add to the meal rotation!
A warm bowl of Goulash is perfect for cool days!

Overhead view of meaty midwest goulash with beans, cheese, tomatoes and tomato juice in a serving bowl on a red and white napkin.

With meat, cheese and pasta at its base this is a classic midwest dish that is a popular way to feed your family that is lighter than our Crock Pot Baked Beans.

Ingredients Needed:

Ground beef – we like to use a very lean mix that is corn fed and grown on our farm or purchased at the grocery store.
Tomato juice – lighter than pasta sauce, marinara sauce or tomato soup this is a healthy way to make this recipe.
Pasta – elbow macaroni works best in this recipe, but other small pasta that can blend in with the variety of ingredients work well too.
Onion – adds an earthy flavor and contrast to the meat and pasta.
Pinto Beans – kidney bean can be substituted.
Stewed tomatoes – the chunks are visually appealing and maximize flavor.
Green chiles – add a little kick and flavor to this classic midwest goulash.
Chili powder – adds spice and flavor.

Ingredients to make goulash are ground beef, onions, stewed tomatoes, tomato juice, green chili peppers, chili powder, macaroni, pinto beans and cheddar cheese on a wooden counter top.

Goulash Recipe With Tomato Juice

Using a large skillet brown ground beef. Drain and add chopped onion. Stir until onion softens.

Hamburger and onion browning in a deep non-stick skillet.

Cook on medium high heat and stir in undrained tomatoes, drained green chiles, tomato juice and chili powder.

Green chilis and stewed tomatoes poured into a skillet of ground beef.

Stir well.

Tomato juice simmering in a skillet with ground beef, green chili peppers, onions and stewed tomatoes to make goulash.

Then add drained beans and raw pasta.

Can of pinto beans and raw pasta poured into as skillet with simmering tomato juice to make goulash.

Stir again, cover and simmer on low until macaroni is tender. This usually takes 10 to 15 minutes.

Stewed tomatoes nestled in a combination of pasta, beans and ground beef cooking in tomato juice to create an easy homemade goulash recipe.

Once skillet is cooked through serve warm.

A skillet meal of macaroni and beef goulash with a combination of beans, pasta and tomatoes cooked in a light tomato juice to be full of flavor sitting in a black skillet ready to serve.

Spoon into bowls and sprinkle cheese on top just before serving. Enjoy!

Recipe Tips

Add 1 cup of corn to create a goulash recipe with corn.
Portion control is the key to keeping this a Weight Watchers recipe.
Reserve some tomato juice to add while reheating.

Silver spoon scooping a meaty and juicy serving of goulash coated with cheese out of a black non-stick skillet.

More Easy Family Meals

Kielbasa and Noodles has cabbage to create a delicious classic that we always enjoy.
Hamburger and Noodle Casserole is warm, creamy and oh so good.
Chicken and Noodles for a Crowd is great for big parties or potlucks.
Roast Beef Sliders on Hawaiian Rolls has a creamy sauce and buttery slider to enhance the cheese and roast beef filling.
Cinnamon Roll Waffles make a great breakfast or side dish for chili.

We hope you enjoy these delicious meals and casseroles as much as we do!

Printable Cheesy Beef Goulash Recipe

Recipe originally shared on January 4, 2018 with updates made on February 22, 2024.

collage of cheesy one pot beef goulash with text

Categories:

Beef, Main Dish, Recipes,

7 Comments

Sara says:

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Looks really good. I will give it a try

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Tina M Berry says:

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I’ve made something similar, but never with the pinto beans. I’m going to plan on making this soon; warm and inviting in this weather!

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1. Heather says:
  
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  I make this all the time – you can use whatever beans you have – kidney beans are what i usually use – whatever you have – it works!
Katie J says:

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I’m loving all these recipes! Thank you, thank you!

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