Instant Pot American Goulash (Instant Pot Chop Suey Recipe)

Instant Pot American Goulash (Instant Pot Chop Suey Recipe) updates our classic ground beef goulash into a quick pressure-cooker recipe.  Using hamburger and elbow macaroni, this goulash recipe is a cult favorite with kids.

Ground Beef Goulash (also called American Chop Suey) is a staple at my house.  My kids love it, and they always cheer when I make it for dinner.  What kid doesn’t love dinner with hamburger and macaroni noodles?

This is also a great dish to have the kids help you with. They can help measure the ingredients so they are ready to added.

Hamburger Macaroni Goulash is saucy and delicious. I serve mine sprinkled with grated Parmesan cheese with a side of bread and butter, just like Grandma would have done.

Instant Pot American Goulash

I’ve been making a Stove-Top American Goulash Recipe for years. And now with this Instant Pot Goulash with Elbow Macaroni recipe, it’s even easier.

This entire Instant Pot American Chop Suey in made in the Instant Pot, starting with browning the ground beef, and all the way to cooking the pasta and making the sauce.  It’s a one pot wonder.

Did you know you can cook pasta in the Instant Pot? Our friend Leah at Beyer Beware breaks it down for you in this helpful post.

Easy Instant Pot Beef Goulash

Truth be told, I don’t mind making it for dinner because it’s so easy.

I’ve already begun to teach my 10 year old daughter how to do some basic cooking, and she loves to help making goulash. Every time I make it, she comments that she loves making goulash because it’s one of those meals you can put almost anything in, and she is right!

It took me years to actually write down my recipe for Hamburger Goulash because I make it differently almost every time.  Here’s some of the simple variations I use from time to time.

Hamburger Macaroni Goulash Variations

• Use any type of canned tomatoes (with the juices) including diced tomatoes, Italian-diced tomatoes, or stewed tomatoes.
• Tomato juice could be used instead of tomato sauce.
• Tomato paste and extra water would work as a substitute for tomato sauce.
• Swap in a different type of pasta for elbow macaroni.
• Many recipes use cubed beef instead of ground beef.
• Use beef broth for water for added flavor.
• Sugar could be omitted.
• Substitute a combination of basil and oregano for pre-mixed Italian seasonings.
• Garlic powder could be substituted for minced garlic.

What do I need to make Goulash?

American Goulash Ingredients

Ground Beef

Diced Onions

Minced Garlic

Elbow Macaroni

Italian Herbs

Canned Diced Tomatoes or Stewed Tomatoes

Tomato Sauce

Water

Butter

Sugar

How to Make American Goulash in the Instant Pot

Brown ground beef and onions on sauté mode in the Instant Pot. Add elbow macaroni, minced garlic, water, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, Italian herbs, butter and sugar and stir well. Cover and seal Instant Pot.  Cook on manual high pressure for 4 minutes.  Release pressure manually (quick release method). Stir well. Top with grated Parmesan, if desired.

For the full ingredient amounts and recipe instructions for instant pot goulash with elbow, scroll down to the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

What vegetables go good with goulash for dinner?

American Goulash, also known as American Chop Suey, has an Italian-inspired feel to it.  I recommend a light side salad or simple green vegetable as a perfect side dish for goulash.

• Creamed Spinach
• Simple Microwave Asparagus
• Broccoli Cornbread Bake
• Creamed Peas 
• Italian Green Bean Salad

Notes About Instant Pot American Goulash

• Use fresh, minced garlic if possible for best flavor. The jarred, refrigerated kind works too.
• If you can’t find a blend of Italian seasonings, use a combination of dried basil and oregano.
• Butter helps keep the elbow macaroni noodles from sticking together.
• Stewed tomatoes are great as a substitute for regular diced tomatoes.
• Use the quick release method for the Instant Pot pressure to prevent over-cooking the pasta.
• Check out our Amazon shop for our favorite pantry essentials and kitchen gadgets.

Kid Friendly Dinners Using Ground Beef

Ground Beef Pizza Casserole

Mom’s Hamburger Gravy

Spanish Hot Dog Sauce

Cheeseburger Turnovers

Hamburger Quiche

Linking up to Weekend Potluck.

This post is sponsored by the Glass Barn, Indiana Soybean and Corn Farmers but all thoughts and opinions are our own.