Sausage goulash is a simple, savory stew with Italian sausage, tender pasta, and veggies in a smoky tomato sauce. Perfect for cozy weeknights! Customize your goulash with your favorite vegetables, spices, and pasta shapes for an easy, hearty dish everyone will love.
Heat the olive oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat. Once heated through, add the sausage in a single layer. Cook until the sausage is browned and reads 165ºF (74ºC) on a digital thermometer, about 7 to 8 minutes.
1 tablespoon olive oil, 2 lbs mild Italian sausage
Add the chopped green pepper and onion, and minced garlic to the sausage. Continue to cook for 5 to 6 minutes until the vegetables have softened and the garlic is fragrant.
1 large green pepper, 1 large onion, 2 cloves garlic
Add all of the remaining ingredients, including the macaroni noodles. Stir well, then bring to a light simmer. Simmer the goulash until the pasta is tender, about 10 to 12 minutes. Serve sausage goulash hot with crusty bread on the side.
2 cups beef stock, 1 28-ounce can crushed tomatoes, 1 28-ounce can diced tomatoes, 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning, 1 ½ teaspoons smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon MSG, 1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon ground black pepper, 1 bay leaf, 2 cups elbow macaroni noodles
Notes
Be sure to remove any casings from the sausage before cooking.
I use MSG in almost all of my cooking, and I highly recommend using it in this dish; however, omit it if you want.
Feel free to use any sausage, vegetables, or stock you like. This recipe is very easy to customize to your liking.
Storage
Cool the sausage goulash completely before transferring it to airtight containers. Store in the refrigerator for 3-4 days for optimal freshness.
The goulash may thicken upon refrigeration; add water or stock when reheating to adjust consistency.
This goulash freezes well. Use freezer-safe containers and leave some space for expansion. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator or reheat directly from frozen, adding extra liquid as necessary. Consume within 2-3 months for the best quality.