Slow Cooker Beef Goulash. This no-hassle, belly-filling beef goulash is perfect for quick Midwestern family dinners on crazy weeknights. Just drop a frozen beef roll into a slow cooker with canned tomato soup and a few easy pantry items, then let it bubble into a warm, meaty tomato gravy. It’s like American hamburger stew—not fancy Hungarian stuff—and my kids beg for it when I’m too tired for hard cooking.
Make this super-simple goulash with just five basics in your slow cooker. Frozen beef turns soft and tasty in thick tomato sauce with onions and spices. Kids love it over noodles or rice. Feeds six fast, with cheesy or creamy toppings. Budget-friendly comfort food that’s ready when you are—cozy, hearty, and no mess!
Servings: 6
Ingredients
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2 pounds frozen ground beef roll (keep it whole, right from the freezer)
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2 cans (10.5–10.75 ounces each) tomato soup (the thick kind)
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1 medium yellow onion, chopped small
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1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
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1 teaspoon garlic powder
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For serving (optional): hot elbow macaroni or egg noodles, shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream, salt and pepper to taste
Slow Cooker Beef Goulash
Slow Cooker Beef Goulash: Directions
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Put your slow cooker on a flat spot, like a kitchen counter. Pour in the tomato soup (no water needed). Spread it flat across the bottom with a spoon.
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Scatter the chopped onion on top of the soup. Drizzle on the Worcestershire sauce and garlic powder. Mix just the top part lightly so flavors blend, but keep soup at the bottom.
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Take the wrapper off the frozen beef roll. With clean hands, place the whole frozen roll in the middle, letting it sink into the soup with onions around it.
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Put the lid on. Cook on HIGH 4–5 hours or LOW 7–8 hours, until beef is done with no pink inside.
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After about 2 hours on HIGH (or 4 on LOW), use a strong spoon to chop the beef into bits and mix it in for even cooking.
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When beef is fully cooked, break it into tiny pieces and stir everything into a thick sauce. Taste and add salt or pepper if you want. If too thick, mix in a little hot water or broth.
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Switch to WARM. Spoon over hot pasta, noodles, or rice. Add cheese or sour cream on top if you like.
Serve it over warm pasta, noodles, or rice to catch all the yummy sauce. Add a green salad or steamed beans on the side, and buttered bread or garlic toast makes it feel like home. For a big group, keep it warm and let folks add their own cheese or sour cream.