Name: Instant Pot Goulash
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 3 tbsp cooking oil; 1 medium onion, chopped; 4 cloves garlic, minced; 1-2 beef bouillon cube; ½ cup tomato paste; 1 lb. or 450 gm ground lamb; 2 cups chicken or beef broth; Sea salt, to taste; ½ tsp black pepper, crushed; 1 tsp paprika; 1 cup water; 3 cups macaroni; 2 cups sharp cheddar, grated; 1 tsp dried oregano or thyme

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This instant pot goulash is American goulash or American chop suey made easy. A hearty one-pot dish with ground lamb, macaroni, tomatoes, broth, spices and seasonings, this is a kid-friendly meal and a crowd-pleaser! Did I mention it's really easy to make in the instant pot?

One-pot meals are my favourite and if they're as easy as this instant pot goulash, yay! I love pasta but sometimes tire of dinners like plain ol' old mac and cheese. So I switch things up by making this incredibly flavorsome American goulash with ground lamb. You can use beef of course, if that's what you like. I prefer lamb so lamb it is for me.

American goulash is different from Hungarian goulash, in case you're wondering. Unlike the former, the Hungarian version is more stew-like and made with chunks of meat rather than ground meat. I haven't had Hungarian goulash but look forward to trying it one day! For now, I'm happy with my instant pot American goulash.

Ingredients

Note: exact amounts are given in the recipe card further down in the post.

How to make goulash in the instant pot

1. Switch on your instant pot and press sauté (normal). When the display shows HOT, add oil, onions, garlic, bouillon cube and tomato paste. Sauté for 2 minutes. Add the ground lamb and half a cup water. Stir well, cover the pot with a glass lid (affiliate link), and cook for 10-12 minutes. The extra water prevents the meat from sticking to the bottom or drying out while it is cooking.

3. Add the broth, sea salt, black pepper, paprika, water and macaroni. Mix everything well. Deglaze the pot, cancel sauté, secure the lid and pressure cook for 4 minutes. Do a quick release of pressure and open the pot.

4. Add the cheddar and oregano or thyme. The cheese will melt in the residual heat from the pot. Serve hot with some extra herbs sprinkled on the top.

Some useful tips and notes

1. If you want more liquid in you goulash, increase the amount of broth to three cups.

2. Like a spicy goulash? Sprinkle a teaspoon of cayenne or chilli flakes in addition to the paprika.

3. Switch up the herbs according to your taste. Oregano or thyme work well but you could also substitute with Italian seasoning.

4. Finally, don't forget to deglaze the pot before pressure cooking to avoid getting the burn notice!

Other easy instant pot recipes you might like

Jambalaya - Jambalaya with chicken, shrimp, smoked sausage, vegetables and Cajun spice makes for a one-pot rice and meat dinner. Super easy and bursting with flavor and color!

Scalloped Potatoes - Sliced potatoes cooked in butter, garlic and broth in the instant pot, topped with a cheesy sauce and finished in the oven for that lovely brown crust. Vegetarian and totally yum!

Chicken and Wild Rice Soup - Creamy chicken and wild rice along with mushrooms, carrots and celery is pure comfort in a bowl. Thick, delicious and totally satisfying!