Looking for a quick and delicious dinner idea? Try this simple and tasty Baked Goulash (with cheese). This Italian ground beef casserole recipe has just a few ingredients, yet you’ll have a satisfying and flavorful meal on the table in no time!

This Italian Ground Beef Casserole uses simple ingredients to make a meal that your entire family will enjoy.

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What I Love About this Recipe

Baked goulash with cheese is such an easy way to make the family happy at dinner time. It’s meaty and cheesy and saucy which is exactly the type of meal my kids love.

Ingredients for Baked Goulash Recipe

A busy mom here with another version of ground beef casserole to feed a big, hangry family. This time, it’s a meaty, beefy, baked goulash that will satisfy all ages young and old. It’s basically a better version of hamburger helper but baked in the oven.

Butter
Onion (yellow onion or white onion)
Bell Pepper
Ground Beef
Salt
Black Pepper
Dried Oregano
Worcestershire Sauce
Elbow Macaroni
Tomato Soup
Diced tomato (or canned, diced tomato)
Grated Parmesan Cheese

I had all the ingredients on hand between the pantry, fridge and freezer which makes me happy happy happy. Serve this up with bread and butter which is how my hubby prefers to eat any type of American goulash.

This simple and tasty Baked Goulash is an Italian ground beef casserole recipe with a few ingredients. Hungry kids love it!

Hamburger Italiano: Italian Ground Beef Casserole

The original name of this Italian ground beef casserole is Hamburger Italiano from the green McCall’s Cook Book. It grabbed my attention because my kids pretty much love anything with hamburger in it. And, I keep the freezer loaded up at all times with ground beef if possible. It just makes for the easiest dinners.

Some of my other favorite easy ground beef dishes are:

Baked Goulash is topped with grated Parmesan cheese. Every spoonful of this dish is full of flavor.

How to make baked goulash?

Step by Step Instructions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Spray a 2 1/2 quart baking dish (or 13 x 9 inch baking dish) with nonstick cooking spray.
In a large skillet, melt butter. Sauté onion and bell pepper until tender, around 5 minutes.
Add ground beef, cook, breaking up the meat as it browns.
Stir in dried oregano, salt, pepper and Worcestershire sauce; simmer for a couple minutes.
Meanwhile, cook macaroni noodles according to package instructions. Cook to al dente, do not overcook. Drain well using a colander.
Combine beef mixture, cooked noodles, tomato soup and diced tomatoes. Pour into prepared dish.
Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 40 minutes.
Remove foil, sprinkle with grated Parmesan and continue to bake 5 minutes longer or until nicely browned.

Storage Instructions

Let leftovers cool completely. Transfer to an airtight container, and store in the fridge for up to a week. Rewarm in the microwave.

For the full ingredient amounts and recipe steps for baked goulash, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Recipe FAQs

Any color bell peppers will work. The original recipe calls for green bell peppers, but I used orange bell peppers, red bell peppers and yellow bell peppers.
Use margarine, olive oil, ghee or coconut oil for butter, if desired.
Let the casserole sit on the counter for 5 to 10 minutes before serving to let it set up.

Every bite of this Italian ground beef casserole recipe will be gobbled up by your hungry kids and family.

Recipe Variations

Add one drained can of mushrooms, if desired.
Instead of fresh tomato, drain one can of diced tomatoes and add to the casserole.
For a meatier casserole, add an extra half pound of ground beef.
Substitute ground turkey or ground chicken for ground beef, if desired.
Any type of pasta could be used instead of elbow macaroni.
Use any type of dried Italian seasoning blend or single herbs such as dried basil, rosemary, thyme, bay leaf, parsley, etc.
Substitute plain tomato sauce, spaghetti sauce or pasta sauce for tomato soup.
Instead of Parmesan cheese, add in shredded cheddar cheese or mozzarella cheese.
If you love garlic, add it to taste with the onions.

What to serve with beef goulash?

I love serving goulash with either bread and butter, buttered rolls or these cheesy garlic biscuits, and a simple side salad or green vegetable such as green beans or peas. I also think a simple side such as applesauce or cottage cheese with pineapple makes the perfect complement to ground beef goulash.

Can you bake goulash?

Yes, baked goulash is just as delicious as a stove-top version. Baking goulash is a great way to infuse the flavors and let the ingredients meld together. It’s a convenient method and can yield delicious results.

To bake goulash, brown your ground beef and onions; then season your beef with Italian herbs. Add a can of tomato soup, and diced tomatoes, either fresh or canned and drained. Stir in cooked elbow macaroni. Pour the mixture into a greased casserole dish and bake until hot and bubbly. Top with Parmesan cheese, and cook until golden brown.

Goulash Recipes

Kitchen Equipment and Pantry Staples

What kind of cheese do you put in goulash?

The great thing about goulash is that it’s very versatile. Sprinkle grated parmesan over top, add shredded mozzarella cheese before serving, stir in cream cheese or ricotta cheese before baking, you get the picture. Add your favorite cheese at any point, and it will be delicious.

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