Instant Pot Goulash - I Don't Have Time For That! (2024)

Instant Pot goulash is classic comfort food!

This recipe is made with ground beef simmered with tender elbow noodles in a richly seasoned tomato sauce. It’s filling and flavorful and everyone loves it! And the best part is that it’s so easy to cook, making it perfect for a weeknight or a last-minute gathering. Why not try it for dinner tonight?

Easy Goulash Recipe!

• The Instant Pot is the ideal appliance for one-pot cooking and goulash is one of the best recipes to make because it’s on the table in less than 15 minutes from start to finish.
• An entire meal in a bowl, goulash can be bulked up with leftover veggies from the fridge!
• Chilly nights mean that it’s time to get stews, chilis, and soups on the dinner rotation. Goulash in the Instant Pot is a convenient and easy way to feed the family on those busy weeknights!

Ingredients and Variations

BEEF: Ground beef is an affordable protein that’s easy to cook in the Instant Pot. Or use up any leftover meat! Beef stew meat is used in German and Hungarian goulash, but could work here, too!

SAUCE: Canned tomato sauce and diced tomatoes create a thick sauce. A jar of marinara will add more flavor and for a soup-like consistency, increase the water up to 2 cups.

SEASONINGS: Basic American-style goulash only needs garlic, salt, and pepper, a few bay leaves, and some Italian seasoning. Soy sauce or tamari can replace the Worcestershire sauce, if necessary.

NOODLES: Large elbow macaroni hold up best in this goulash recipe. Rice, wide egg noodles, or mashed potatoes can be made separately and used in place of elbow macaroni.

How to Make Instant Pot Goulash

1. Set the Instant Pot to saute and cook the beef, onion, garlic, and salt and pepper.
2. Drain the fat from the beef and add tomato ingredients, Italian seasoning, Worcestershire sauce, sugar, water, noodles, and bay leaves (as per recipe below).
3. Set the Instant Pot to manual for 3 minutes and then allow a natural release.
4. Remove bay leaves and top with parmesan cheese or a dollop of sour cream before serving.

Goulash Serving Suggestions

Because goulash is so versatile, it goes with anything! Try a simple green salad, a slice or two of thick crusty bread, or some dinner rolls to soak up all that savory sauce! All versions of goulash can be served as a soup, or as a thick stew over mashed potatoes, rice, spaetzle, or even baked potatoes!

Tips & Time Savers

• Goulash freezes great for future meals! Simply pour into gallon-sized freezer bags and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator or a saucepan on low heat.
• Bulk up goulash by tossing it in a bag of frozen vegetable medley, no need to thaw!

More Instant Pot Recipes

• Instant Pot Frozen Ground Beef – Easy
• Instant Pot Mongolian Beef (Better than takeout!) – Delicious
• Instant Pot Creamy Pasta e fa*gioli – Creamy
• Instant Pot Sausage and White Bean Soup – Comforting
• Instant Pot Macaroni and Cheese – So cheesy
• Instant Pot Barbacoa – So easy to make

REPIN this Instant Pot Goulash recipe!