Turkey Goulash is the classic goulash you know and love but made with ground turkey! Pasta in a rich tomato sauce, all cooked in one pot!
Originally published January 20, 2010. Updated February 25, 2021.
I love really simple pasta dishes. They make dinner quick and easy and I know no one is going to fuss about them.
Dishes like this turkey goulash or Sour Cream Noodle Bake are staples in my house because they’re both simple and delicious.
This is classic American goulash but it’s made with ground turkey instead of beef. It’s the turkey and macaroni noodles in in a quick and easy tomato sauce.
Did I mention it’s all cooked in one pot in less than 30 minutes?!
Ingredients
- Olive oil
- Ground turkey
- White onion
- Garlic
- Tomato sauce
- Diced tomatoes
- Soy sauce
- Italian seasoning
- Bay leaf
- salt and black pepper
- Small pasta – I love Skinner’s Large Elbow Noodles, but you can use regular elbow noodles, shells, any small pasta shape
Instructions
- Heat olive oil over medium-high heat in a dutch oven
- Add ground turkey and diced onion to hot pot and cook, breaking up the turkey, until the meat is cooked through and the onion has softened
- Add garlic and cook until fragrant, just 30 seconds or so
- Stir in water, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, soy sauce, Italian seasoning, bay leaf, and salt and black pepper
- Bring to a boil, lower to a simmer, and let cook for 10 minutes
- Stir in pasta
- Cover and cook until pasta is al dente, about 10 more minutes, depending on pasta shape
- Remove bay leaf before serving
How Long is Goulash Good For
Turkey goulash will be good in the fridge for up to 3 – 4 days. Make sure to keep it in the fridge in an airtight container to keep it fresh as long as possible.
You can reheat on the stovetop – I would add a splash of water to loosen it up a little bit.
Can You Freeze Goulash
Yes, you can freeze goulash. Let it cool completely and then transfer it to a freezer ziploc bag and make sure you squeeze all the air out. I’m really into reusable freezer bags right now and I’ve found that dishes like this work well in them.
When you’re ready to serve it, let it defrost in the refrigerator overnight and then you can warm it up on the stovetop. It will probably need a splash of water to loosen it up.
What To Serve with Goulash
I like to serve goulash with a green vegetable, like Green Beans Almondine or Roasted Broccolini. A simple side salad would also be delicious!
Bread is also great to soak up any leftover sauce! Like Cheesy Garlic Knots or Honey Yeast Rolls.
More Pasta Recipes
- Pasta with Shrimp and Rosa Sauce
- Parmesan Pasta with Bacon and Peas
- Chicken Chili Mac and Cheese
- Sausage Stuffed Manicotti
- Homemade Spaghetti-Os
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Turkey Goulash
adapted from Paula Deen
Ingredients
- 2 teaspoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground turkey
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 cups water
- 1 15-ounce can tomato sauce
- 1 15-ounce can diced tomatoes
- 1 ½ teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 bay leaf
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 2 cups elbow macaroni or small shells
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a Dutch oven over medium high heat.
- Saute turkey and onionuntil turkey is cooked through and onion is soft.
- Add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds
- Add water, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, Italian seasoning, soy sauce, bay leaf, black pepper, and salt. Bring to a boil. Lower heat, cover, and allow to simmer for about 10 minutes.
- Add pasta, stir well, cover & let cook for about 10 minutes or until pasta is al dente. Remove bay leaf before serving.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 6 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 334Total Fat: 15gSaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 80mgSodium: 747mgCarbohydrates: 27gFiber: 4gSugar: 6gProtein: 24g
Beth says
This looks so tasty and yummy! My family and I are going to love this recipe! So excited to make this soon!
Toni says
This is seriously amazing!! Such a really comforting dinner!
Cathy says
Soy sauce is such a unique addition! Sounds delicious!
Dorothy Reinhold says
I am so happy that all of this goodness is ready for the table in thirty minutes! Perfect for any night.
Amanda says
This is my ultimate comfort food, thank you so much for sharing!
Nicole, RD says
Mmm! Goulash! A new comfort food of mine after becoming a southerner! Thanks for this recipe! Looks delicious, easy, and healthy!
Pam says
I have been wanting to try this for a long time – how appropriate that you do it one day after her birthday! ; ) Looks great!
amanda says
Should I be worried that you know when Paula’s birthday is? ;)
mawmaw says
Goulash….your great-grandmother made this so often when I was growing up. She made hers with ground beef. What fond memories this brought back. I’ll be making this soon and will try it with the ground turkey….we shall see if Pawpaw can taste the difference.. me using the turkey and me not using beef.
amanda says
SheeShee talks about that recipe a lot. I need to get it from you one day!
Eliana says
This looks delicious and like it’s fairly easy to make.
.-= Eliana´s last blog ..Sweet Melissa Sundays – Lemon Walnut Sour Cream Pound Cake =-.
Sarah says
Turkey Goulash is amazing. My grandmother makes this every time we go to visit.
Great recipe!
.-= Sarah´s last blog ..Help..I squatted and I Can’t Get Up :) =-.