Description
This cozy and hearty Instant Pot Goulash is the ultimate comfort food — tender pasta, savory ground beef, and tomatoes all pressure-cooked together for a flavorful one-pot meal that’s ready fast. Ideal for busy weeknights and family-friendly, this dish combines robust flavors with convenience.
Ingredients
Meat and Aromatics
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Liquids and Sauces
- 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
- 3 cups beef broth (or chicken broth)
- 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
Spices
- 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp paprika
- ½ tsp salt (to taste)
- ½ tsp black pepper
Pasta
- 2 cups elbow macaroni (uncooked)
Optional Toppings
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional topping)
Instructions
- Brown the Ground Beef: Turn Instant Pot to Sauté mode. Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it apart with a spoon. Drain excess grease if needed to prevent a greasy dish.
- Sauté Onions and Garlic: Add diced onion and minced garlic to the pot with the beef. Cook for 2–3 minutes until the onion softens and the garlic becomes fragrant.
- Add Liquids and Seasonings: Turn off the sauté function. Stir in tomato sauce, diced tomatoes (with juice), beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and black pepper until combined.
- Add Pasta: Gently add the uncooked elbow macaroni, pushing the noodles just below the surface of the liquid without stirring them in completely to prevent sticking.
- Pressure Cook: Seal the Instant Pot lid and set it to cook on High Pressure for 4 minutes. Ensure the valve is set to sealing.
- Quick Release Pressure: When cooking ends, perform a quick pressure release carefully to avoid overcooking the pasta.
- Final Seasoning and Cheese: Open the lid and stir the goulash well. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt or pepper if needed. Top with shredded cheddar cheese before serving, allowing it to melt into the hot dish.
Notes
- Add veggies like bell peppers or corn to the Instant Pot for added texture and nutrition.
- For a creamy version, stir in ½ cup sour cream or cream cheese after cooking.
- To make this gluten-free, substitute the elbow macaroni with gluten-free pasta and reduce pressure cook time to 3 minutes.
- For a spicy kick, add ½ to 1 teaspoon of red pepper flakes when adding the seasoning.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes (plus pressure build and release)
- Category: Dinner, Main Course, Instant Pot
- Method: Instant Pot
- Cuisine: American Comfort Food
