Simple to prepare and so delicious, this Easy Healthy Goulash is the ultimate comfort food. This is perfect for a busy weeknight or a cozy Sunday dinner at home.
This is the ultimate comfort food and one of those quick dinner ideas that you will want to make over and over again. It just goes to show you that you can have those favorites and still eat healthy.
This meal is perfect with a large, green salad on a cold winter night. Oh and maybe a glass of this Slow Cooker Mulled Wine or this Spiked Apple Cider.
This recipe is part of my cookbook, The Everything Wheat-Free Diet Cookbook. If you like my cookbook, please leave me a positive review on Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
It really helps me and I truly appreciate it. I always hate to ask but sometimes people can be cruel and leave bad reviews for silly reasons. They will completely substitute most of the ingredients in my recipe and tell me how bad it was.
It's so frustrating. I always appreciate honest feedback but only if you make my actual recipe!
Ok, back to this pot of deliciousness.
This is actually one of those meals that my whole family will eat and actually enjoys. My kids are all really great eaters, but they each have one or two things that they can be picky about.
If you want some other healthy dinner recipes, you will love this Slow Cooker Thai Chicken Soup, Healthy Mexican Casserole and Creamy Cauliflower Soup!
Why You Should Make This Healthy Goulash
This is one of those dishes that looks like your spent hours preparing it, but it really is super easy to make. And it's so versatile, you can use any type of macaroni you'd like, any cheese you'd like and whatever seasonings you have in the house.
This healthy goulash is lightened up from the typical classic version. Remember, portion size is still important even when dishes are made healthier.
This is also one of those recipes that freezes really well and can be reheated easily on those busy weeknights.
Recipe Ingredients
- Ground beef - I like to use 90% lean, 100% grass fed organic ground beef for the best quality and taste. You can easily substitute ground chicken or ground turkey if you'd like.
- Tomato sauce - Read your ingredient list on your tomato sauce. I buy this one that is organic and contains no added sugar or salt.
- Diced tomatoes - Same as the tomato sauce above, please read the ingredient labels. I use these organic diced tomatoes.
- Soy sauce or liquid aminos
- Worcestershire sauce - Make sure that the one you use is gluten free. My favorite is this one.
- Sharp cheddar cheese - I like to buy a block of cheddar and shred it myself. It's really easy to do and it's super fresh. Also, some pre-shredded cheese contains some additives and fillers.
- Elbow macaroni - I use this gluten free elbow macaroni but any one that you like would be perfect in this goulash.
Related Recipes
Low Carb Eggplant Parmesan from Lauren Kelly Nutrition
Keto Chili Mac from All Day I Dream About Food
Gluten Free Zucchini Ravioli from Lauren Kelly Nutrition
Gluten Free Southern Baked Macaroni and Cheese from Mama Knows Gluten Free
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Healthy Goulash
Ingredients
- 2 pounds lean ground beef ground chicken or ground turkey
- 1 large yellow onion chopped
- 3 cloves garlic
- 3 cups water
- 2 15 ounce can tomato sauce
- 2 14.5 ounce can diced tomatoes
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce or liquid aminos
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce gluten free
- 2 tablespoons Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon dry mustard
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 3 bay leaves
- ½ cup white sharp cheddar cheese shredded
- 2 cups elbow macaroni gluten free
Instructions
- In a large Dutch oven, cook and stir the ground beef over medium-high heat, breaking the meat up as it cooks, until the meat is no longer pink and has started to brown, about 10 minutes. Skim off excess fat, and stir in the onions and garlic.
- Cook and stir the meat mixture until the onions are translucent, about 10 more minutes.
- Stir in water, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, Italian seasoning, bay leaves, paprika, dry mustard and salt, and bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Stir in the macaroni, cover, and simmer over low heat until the pasta is tender, about 25 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat, discard bay leaves, and top with shredded cheese. Mix well and serve.
wilhelmina
This was just the right meal for a cold and busy night. Everyone was happy and wanting more!
Krissy Allori
Pure comfort food! My entire family loved this complete meal.
Lauren Kelly
So happy you liked it Krissy!
abigial
this goulash is so great looking, I cannot wait to make it! Thank you for sharing this recipe!
Lauren Kelly
Thanks so much!
Joy McElroy
Hi, Lauren, This sounds fantastic! I have not had a lot of luck with GF pastas. Can you recommend a couple of brands that you like?
lauren.kelly
I know, it can be difficult to find a good one. I like Banza and Barilla! Thanks for stopping by!
Kristen
Is a serving size about a cup? I am counting my macros and trying to figure out how to measure a serving! Looks delicious!
lauren.kelly
Hi Kristen! I would say 3/4 cup is a serving I hope you enjoy it!
TidyMom
you can't beat healthy comfort food!!
lauren.kelly
Absolutely! 🙂
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this sounds and look SO delicious! and who doesn't love a good comfort dish
Nicole, RD
Growing up in Chicago it wasn't until I moved to Tulsa that I learned what goulash was. I love the stuff! Comfort food that is filling and that can definitely be made healthy!
lauren.kelly
I totally agree Nicole! Thanks for stopping by!
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https://www.slim-shoppin.com/slumgulion-2/
My parents made a version of this growing up, they called it "slumgulion" I make it 2x a month at least - I love it!
lauren.kelly
Great name Jenn! 🙂
Cate @ Chez CateyLou
This looks delicious! Healthy comfot food - love that!
lauren.kelly
Thank you Cate!
Becca from It's Yummilicious
My favorite foods all tucked into an amazingly comforting dish... YUM!
lauren.kelly
Thanks Becca!
Savory Simple
I'm hanging on to this one!!!
lauren.kelly
Thank you Jen! 🙂