Weight Watchers Recipe of the Day: Simple American Hamburger Goulash (aka American Chop Suey)
Right now I am sharing a recipe I have been consuming since childhood, my mother’s recipe for goulash. Or as they referred to as it within the faculty cafeteria, American Chop Suey.
My mother realized to make this easy floor beef and macaroni skillet dish by watching her good friend’s mother make it again within the Nineteen Fifties in a small city in rural coastal Maine.
I like how so many recipes, together with longtime household favorites like this one, can work with the Weight Watchers Program. With only a few little changes, this dish simply turns into a Weight Watchers American Chop Suey (Goulash) Recipe!
What’s Goulash?
American goulash is totally completely different from the Hungarian model. It is a fast and simple skillet dish mixture of floor beef, onion, tomatoes, bell peppers, tomato soup and elbow macaroni. Suppose do-it-yourself from scratch Hamburger Helper, that was often known as American Chop Suey at my native faculty cafeteria.
Hungarian Goulash, (conventional goulash) by comparability, is a long-simmering stew made with chunks of beef and greens seasoned with beneficiant quantities of paprika.
The 2 dishes could not be extra completely different.

Hamburger Goulash (aka American Chop Suey)
How To Make American Goulash?
There are many completely different variations of “hamburger goulash,” or “American Chop Suey,” on the market. It is a type of recipes handed down via the generations. Everybody places their very own spin on it.
Some name for tomato sauce and others for jarred spaghetti sauce or beef broth, however I do not assume they style nearly as good as this old style, basic American model from my mother that requires canned tomato soup. However, my tastebuds are biased as a result of it is the one they grew up consuming.
Mother’s hamburger goulash with elbow macaroni is consolation meals at its greatest – fast, straightforward, tasty, and satisfying. I made it for my entire household a number of nights in the past and my guys every ate three servings. I can consider no higher praise for a cook dinner.
It’s also simply the sort of meals we will depend upon in these unsure financial occasions – hearty meals produced from healthful easy elements.

WW Pleasant Hamburger Macaroni Goulash
How Many Energy and Weight Watches (WW) Factors on this Basic American Goulash Recipe?
Based on my calculations, every serving has about 354 energy and:
9 *SmartPoints (Inexperienced plan)
9 *SmartPoints (Blue plan)
5 *SmartPoints (Purple plan) (with entire grain macaroni)
9 *PointsPlus (Outdated plan)
To see your WW PersonalPoints for this recipe and monitor it within the WW app or website, Click here!
Weight Watchers Pleasant American Goulash Elements
- 2 cups (8 ounces) elbow macaroni (gluten free or entire wheat if desired)
- 2 teaspoons olive olive oil
- 1 pound extra-lean floor beef
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 1 inexperienced bell pepper, chopped
- 2 cans (10-¾ ounces every) condensed tomato soup
- 2 cans (14 ounces every) diced tomatoes
- Pinch of cinnamon
- Pinch of Sugar
- Salt & Pepper to style
Hamburger Goulash Recipe Substitutions & Variations
Meat: Although floor beef is conventional, any floor meat— floor turkey, rooster, pork, lamb—could also be substituted. It may be made vegetarian with the addition of meatless veggie crumbles. In case you are watching WW Factors go for additional lean floor beef.
Pasta form: Elbow macaroni noodles are conventional on this straightforward recipe however any small reduce of pasta will work. Gluten-free pasta and entire grain / entire wheat pasta are additionally good selections.
Bulkier: So as to add extra quantity to your goulash for minimal energy, add extra greens akin to mushrooms, corn, zucchini, and so forth. or drained canned beans.
Thicker: I prefer to make this old style Goulash saucy. If you happen to do not, use one can of diced tomatoes as a substitute of two. It additionally thickens up lots because it sits to make it forward of time. Many prefer it higher as leftovers the day after when it has thickened and the flavors have melded.
Spicier: There are many approach so as to add additional taste to fit your tastes. Soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, Italian seasoning, tomato paste, paprika, chili powder, garlic powder, and so forth.
Southwestern/Chile Mac: For a spicy southwest/chile mac variation, add 1 cup of drained corn and 1-2 tablespoons chili powder when including the tomatoes. (Take a look at this Weight Watchers Southwestern Goulash)
Tacky: Stir in or high together with your favourite grated or shredded cheese. (A cup of cheddar cheese or Parmesan cheese could be yummy.)
Italian American Goulash: Substitute marinara sauce or one other tomato-based sauce for the tomato soup and Italian sausage for the bottom beef.
Vegetarian/Vegan: Substitute your favourite floor plant based mostly crumbles for the bottom beef.
What Ought to Your Serve with Basic American Goulash?
We at all times loved this straightforward goulash recipe with a simple green salad alongside. Most any vegetable makes a wholesome accompaniment: zucchini, broccoli, inexperienced beans, corn, carrots, and so forth. In case you are not involved about energy and/or carbs, heat crusty French bread or garlic bread could be a fantastic choice.
What To Do with Leftover Goulash?
Maintain leftover American goulash in a lined hermetic container within the fridge for as much as 4 days for future fast and simple meals. (I do know many choosy eaters who truly choose this basic consolation meals higher the subsequent day.)
You possibly can reheat on the range high over low to medium warmth or within the microwave earlier than serving. Freeze chilled parts in freezer baggage or hermetic containers for as much as 4 weeks. For greatest outcomes thaw within the fridge earlier than reheating.
If you happen to’ve made this American Beef Goulash, please give the recipe a star score under and go away a remark letting me understand how you favored it. And keep in contact on Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for the most recent updates.

Simple American Hamburger Goulash
#wprm-recipe-user-rating-0 .wprm-rating-star.wprm-rating-star-full svg * { fill: #343434; }#wprm-recipe-user-rating-0 .wprm-rating-star.wprm-rating-star-33 svg * { fill: url(#wprm-recipe-user-rating-0-33); }#wprm-recipe-user-rating-0 .wprm-rating-star.wprm-rating-star-50 svg * { fill: url(#wprm-recipe-user-rating-0-50); }#wprm-recipe-user-rating-0 .wprm-rating-star.wprm-rating-star-66 svg * { fill: url(#wprm-recipe-user-rating-0-66); }linearGradient#wprm-recipe-user-rating-0-33 cease { stop-color: #343434; }linearGradient#wprm-recipe-user-rating-0-50 cease { stop-color: #343434; }linearGradient#wprm-recipe-user-rating-0-66 cease { stop-color: #343434; }
Elements
- 2 cups (8 ounces) elbow macaroni (gluten-free if desired) (raw)
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 1 pound extra-lean floor beef
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 1 inexperienced bell pepper, chopped
- 2 cans (10-¾ ounces every) tomato soup
- 2 cans (14-ounces every) diced tomatoes
- Pinch of cinnamon
- Pinch of sugar
- Salt and pepper to style
Directions
- Cook dinner macaroni in line with bundle instructions; drain.
- In the meantime warmth oil in a big skillet, or dutch oven, over medium warmth. Stir the bottom beef, onion, and pepper into the skillet, breaking apart the meat into small items. Season with salt and pepper.
- Cook dinner, stirring typically, till the meat is not pink and the onion and pepper are tender (5-8 minutes).
- Stir within the tomatoes, tomato soup, cinnamon, and sugar. Simmer till heated totally.
- Stir within the drained macaroni and mix effectively. (Alternatively, in case your skillet is not fairly sufficiently big, stir all the things collectively within the pasta pan.) Season with salt and pepper to style.
Notes
Hamburger Goulash Recipe Substitutions & Variations
Meat: Although floor beef is conventional, any floor meat— floor turkey, rooster, pork, lamb—could also be substituted. It may be made vegetarian with the addition of meatless veggie crumbles. In case you are watching WW Factors go for additional lean floor beef.
Pasta form: Elbow macaroni noodles are conventional on this straightforward recipe however any small reduce of pasta will work. Gluten-free pasta and entire grain / entire wheat pasta are additionally good selections.
Bulkier: So as to add extra quantity to your goulash for minimal energy, add extra greens akin to mushrooms, corn, zucchini, and so forth. or drained canned beans.
Thicker: I prefer to make this old style Goulash saucy. If you happen to do not, use one can of diced tomatoes as a substitute of two. It additionally thickens up lots because it sits to make it forward of time. Many prefer it higher as leftovers the day after when it has thickened and the flavors have melded.
Spicier: There are many approach so as to add additional taste to fit your tastes. Soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, Italian seasoning, tomato paste, paprika, chili powder, garlic powder, and so forth.
Southwestern/Chile Mac: For a spicy southwest/chili mac variation, add 1 cup of drained corn and 1-2 tablespoons chili powder when including the tomatoes.
Tacky: Stir in or high together with your favourite grated or shredded cheese. (A cup of cheddar cheese or Parmesan cheese could be yummy.)
Italian American Goulash: Substitute marinara sauce or one other tomato-based sauce for the tomato soup and Italian sausage for the bottom beef.
Vegetarian/Vegan: Substitute your favourite floor plant based mostly crumbles for the bottom beef.
Click here to see your WW Factors for this recipe and monitor it within the WW app or website.
9 *SmartPoints (Inexperienced plan)
9 *SmartPoints (Blue plan)
5 *SmartPoints (Purple plan) (with entire grain macaroni)
9 *PointsPlus (Outdated plan)
Diet
*Factors® calculated by WW. *PointsPlus® and SmartPoints® calculated by Easy Nourished Dwelling; Not endorsed by Weight Watchers Worldwide, Inc. All recipe elements besides non-compulsory gadgets included in figuring out dietary estimates. SmartPoints® values calculated WITHOUT every plan’s ZeroPoint Meals (Green plan, Blue plan, Purple plan) utilizing the WW Recipe Builder.
Extra Variations of American Goulash
- Here’s a One-Pot Recipe from Spend with Pennies
- Here is an American Goulash / Johnny Marzetti Recipe made within the On the spot Pot Stress Cooker from The Nation Cook dinner
- It is a Healthy Take on Old-Fashioned Goulash from Consuming Nicely
Extra Great Recipes for Ground Beef for Weight Watchers
- Southwestern Hamburger Goulash – A straightforward American goulash recipe with flavors of the southwest.
- Easy Taco Soup – Simple and scrumptious soup with all of the flavors of a taco good for a weeknight dinner.
- Easy Hamburger Macaroni Soup – A easy heat and satisfying soup that’s pure consolation meals.
- Easy Healthy Ground Beef Enchilada Skillet – A straightforward dinner the whole household is certain to like.
Martha is the founder and important content material author for Easy-Nourished-Dwelling.
A longtime lifetime WW at purpose, she is dedicated to balancing her love of meals and need to remain slim whereas savoring life and serving to others do the identical.
She is the creator of the Smart Start 28-Day Weight Loss Challenge.
An enormous fan of the gradual cooker and confessed cookbook addict, when she’s not experimenting within the kitchen, you are prone to discover Martha on her yoga mat.
This submit accommodates affiliate hyperlinks to merchandise I like. Once you purchase one thing via one among my Amazon links or different (affiliate hyperlinks), I obtain a small fee that helps help this website. Thanks on your buy!
up to date with new content material and images 1/2023
The submit Easy American Hamburger Goulash with Elbow Macaroni appeared first on Simple Nourished Living.