Sausage Goulash

Sausage Goulash is the kind of easy comfort food dinner that brings everyone to the table. Made in one skillet with simple ingredients, it’s full of flavor and perfect for busy weeknights when you need something hearty and satisfying.

Quick Snapshot

Ready In: 35 minutes
Servings: 6
Best For: Easy weeknight dinner, meal prep, budget-friendly meals

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• One-pot dinner with easy cleanup and minimal prep.
• Bold, savory flavor thanks to sausage, peppers, and Worcestershire sauce.
• Budget-friendly pantry ingredients that stretch to feed a crowd.

Ingredients You’ll Need for Sausage Goulash

• Onion
• Bell Peppers
• Banana Peppers (optional – or add pepperoncini)
• Olive Oil
• Kosher Salt & Pepper
• Sausage (any kind – Italian sausage, breakfast sausage or ground beef)
• Diced Tomatoes
• V8 Juice or Broth
• Water
• Worcestershire Sauce
• Macaroni Noodles

How to Make Sausage Goulash Recipe

1. Sauté the veggies: Add olive oil to a large skillet or dutch oven and heat over medium-high heat. Add diced onions, bell peppers, and banana peppers if using. Season with salt and pepper. Cook until softened, about 5–6 minutes. Remove from pan and set aside.

2. Brown the sausage: Add the sausage to the same skillet. Cook until browned and heated through, breaking it up with a spoon if using ground sausage. Stir vegetables into browned sausage.

3. Combine and simmer: Stir in the diced tomatoes, V8 juice (or broth), Worcestershire sauce, water, and uncooked macaroni.
4. Simmer until pasta is tender: Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat and simmer uncovered for about 12–15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is cooked through and most of the liquid has been absorbed.

Garnish with parsley or finely grated white cheddar cheese.

Serve macaroni goulash with a side salad, garlic bread or bacon green beans for a family favorite dinner.

Recipe Tips & Variations

• Use what you have: No V8? Use chicken broth or beef broth and tomato sauce or even marinara sauce for richness.
• Don’t skip the Worcestershire: It gives this dish deep, savory taste you can’t quite put your finger on—but it makes a big difference!
• Try different pastas: Macaroni is classic, but you can use small shells or penne if that’s what you’ve got on hand.
• Double the batch: This makes amazing leftovers —just reheat on the stove or in the microwave with a splash of water or V8.
• Cheesy version: Stir in shredded cheddar or mozzarella cheese at the end for a creamy, cheesy twist.

Sausage Goulash is a quick and comforting dinner that’s perfect when you need something filling without a lot of fuss. It’s budget-friendly, easy to customize, and guaranteed to please the whole family.

Let me know how it turns out in the comments and leave a rating if you give this Sausage Goulash recipe a try! It’s sure to become a regular in your dinner rotation.

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Sausage Goulash

Sausage Goulash is a comforting, budget-friendly dinner made with simple ingredients in just one pan—perfect for busy nights and picky eaters.

Prep Time10 minutes mins

Cook Time15 minutes mins

Course: Pasta

Cuisine: American

Keyword: goulash, ground beef and rice skillet meal, one pan

Servings: 6

Calories: 602kcal

Author: Milisa

Ingredients

• 1 large onion diced
• 1 bell pepper diced
• 2 banana peppers optional
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 pound ground sausage Italian or breakfast sausage
• 14.5 ounce diced tomatoes
• 2 cups V8 Juice
• 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• ½ cup to 1 cup Water
• 1 pound macaroni

Instructions

• Add olive oil to a large skillet or dutch oven and heat over medium-high heat. Add diced onions, bell peppers, and banana peppers. Season with salt and pepper. Cook until softened, about 5–6 minutes.
• Remove from pan and set aside.
• Add the sausage to the same skillet. Cook until browned and heated through, breaking it up as it cooks.
• Return the cooked vegetables to the pan. Stir in the diced tomatoes, V8 juice (or broth), Worcestershire sauce, water, and uncooked macaroni.
• Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat and simmer uncovered for about 12–15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is cooked through and most of the liquid has been absorbed.
• Garnish with parsley or finely grated cheese if desired.

Notes

Storage: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to 3 days.

Reheat: Cook in a pan with a splash of water or V8 juice over medium heat, stirring until heated through.

Nutrition

Calories: 602kcal | Carbohydrates: 68g | Protein: 23g | Fat: 26g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 12g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 54mg | Sodium: 1097mg | Potassium: 798mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 1695IU | Vitamin C: 71mg | Calcium: 59mg | Iron: 3mg

More Weeknight Favorites to Try

• Sausage Fettuccine – Creamy and satisfying pasta with savory sausage, garlic and tomatoes—ready in about 30 minutes.
• Sausage Potato Skillet – Hearty and delicious with crispy potatoes, smoky sausage, and peppers—all in one pan.
• Tuscan Sausage Potato Soup – Comfort in a bowl with Italian sausage, tender russet potatoes, spinach, and a creamy broth. Great for busy nights!
• Ravioli Lasagna is a family favorite that is so simple to make with just a few ingredients.