Sloppy Joe Goulash – Sloppy Joe Macaroni Skillet

Sloppy Joe Goulash is the perfect meal when you’re short on time. With only three simple ingredients including ground beef, Manwich sloppy Joe sauce and elbow macaroni, this sloppy Joe macaroni skillet is the perfect dinner.

Skillet meals are a great option when you need to get dinner on the table quickly and don’t want to get multiple dishes dirty during meal prep. Sloppy Joes are a classic and when you add pasta to them, you don’t have to worry about serving it on buns or bread!

Sloppy Joe Goulash

My family is crazy for goulash. So much so that I have variations that I make for the kids.

Typically, I make my classic goulash recipe, which is an American Goulash recipe (also called American Chop Suey). Recently I went to make some, I was out of stewed tomatoes and tomato sauce. I hate when that happens!

So I did what I do, and I looked in the cabinet for a substitute. What I spotted was a can of Manwich Sloppy Joe Sauce. And what happened next is Sloppy Joe Goulash, and it’s a hit at my house. My family practically licked out the pan.

Sloppy Joe Macaroni Skillet

The cool thing about this Sloppy Joe Macaroni Skillet recipe is that you could use leftover sloppy joe that you have in the refrigerator.

Add the leftover sloppy joe to a skillet to warm. Add a couple cups of water and some dry elbow macaroni (or whatever type of pasta you have in the cabinet).

Let the pasta cook in the sauce, and when it’s done, you have a whole new Sloppy Joe Goulash meal.

Want to take it up another notch? Add some cubes of Velveeta cheese for a cheesy sloppy joe goulash.

Ingredient List for Sloppy Joe Skillet Meal

What do I need to make Sloppy Joe Goulash?

• Ground Beef
• Manwich Sloppy Joe Sauce
• Dry Elbow Macaroni

Easy Sloppy Joe Goulash

This skillet sloppy joe meal has only three ingredients. For me as a Mom, that’s a win. I’m always short on time and energy; plus the kids are always starving. That’s why I love dinners with five ingredients or less, and 3 Ingredient Sloppy Joe Goulash fits that requirement.

How to Make Sloppy Joe Pasta

Step By Step Instructions

1. Brown ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat, breaking up into small pieces. If needed, drain excess grease.
2. Add dry macaroni and one can of Manwich Sloppy Joe Sauce. Fill up the empty can with water, pour into skillet. Stir.
3. Heat over medium heat until the pasta is cooked. If it seems dry, add a little bit more water to thin it out. It’s nice to have a stew texture.
4. Serve as it or topped with cheese.

Storage Instructions

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

For the full recipe steps and ingredient amounts for sloppy joe pasta, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this post. 

Goulash Recipes

Mexican Goulash

Instant Pot American Goulash 

 Old Fashioned Goulash 

Recipe FAQs

• Sloppy Joe Goulash can be made with Manwich or your homemade sloppy joe sauce. Check our our Classic Sloppy Joe recipe if you want to go the homemade route.
• Use any type of pasta you have on hand instead of elbow macaroni, if needed.
• If the goulash seems thick at the end, add a little bit of water to thin it out.
• Optional ingredients: minced garlic, garlic powder, diced onions, Velveeta.
• To make Sloppy Joe Macaroni Skillet using leftover sloppy joe, follow these instructions:  Add leftover sloppy joe to a skillet with a couple cups of water. Add pasta and simmer until the pasta is cooked and the goulash is thickened.
• Add salt and black pepper to taste.
• Check out our Amazon Store for our favorite pantry and kitchen items.

Recipe Variations

• To add more vegetables, sauté bell peppers and/or tomatoes with ground beef.
• Use ground turkey for ground beef for lower fat dish.
• Top with cheddar cheese before serving!
• Fresh parsley makes a beautiful garnish.

Homemade Sloppy Joe Recipes

• Classic Sloppy Joes 
• Easy Sloppy Joe Recipe
• Frisco Melt Sloppy Joes
• Ground Beef BBQ 
• French Onion Joes
• Sloppy Joe Cups with Flaky Biscuits

Ground Beef Dinners

Easy Hamburger Noodle Casserole

Ground Beef Stromboli Sandwich 

French Onion Hamburger Pie 

Stove Top Poor Man’s Stew 

Hamburger Pork and Bean Skillet

Equipment

Check out our Amazon store to find the pantry staples you need for this recipe in just one click. Be sure to check out our favorite kitchen utensil, the meat chopper. It makes hamburger recipes a breeze.