Slow Cooker Slumgullion (Goulash)

Name: Slow Cooker Slumgullion (Goulash)
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 240 min
Total time: 245 min
Ingredients: 1.5 pounds ground turkey; 1 large green bell pepper (diced); 1/2 large onion (diced, about 1/2 cup); 2 - 14.5 ounce cans diced tomatoes (with juices); 2 cups low-sodium beef broth; 2 tablespoons tomato paste; 1 teaspoon ground paprika; 2 teaspoons dried Italian seasoning; 1 teaspoon kosher salt; 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper; 2 cups dry elbow macaroni noodles; 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

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Hearty, meaty, and comforting, this slow cooker slumgullion recipe (goulash) is the perfect cozy family dinner, delivering rich and savory flavors with minimal effort. It's a dump-and-go crock pot recipe you can easily assemble before you head out the door in the morning!

Goulash (slumgullion) is a traditional Hungarian dish made with stewed meat, seasonal vegetables, and fresh herbs, all swimming in a tomato-based broth. Today, you'll find countless recipe adaptations, ranging from thick stews to cheesy pasta and meat dishes.

This slow-cooker slumgullion recipe is a classic modern mashup featuring ground turkey, vegetables, and tomatoes combined with macaroni noodles and shredded cheddar cheese. While it's an all-in-one dinner that doesn't need sides, a crusty piece of Dutch Oven Bread adds a nice finishing touch!

And even better, it's a one-pot meal (no browning required) you can throw in the crockpot and forget about for several hours!

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What is Slumgullion?
Why you'll love this recipe
Ingredient Notes
Equipment Notes
How to Make Slumgullion
Expert Tips
Substitutions and Variations
How to Store, Freeze, and Reheat
What to Serve with Goulash
Frequently Asked Questions
More Pasta Recipes
Slow Cooker Slumgullion (Goulash)
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What is Slumgullion?

Historically, Slumgullion was used to describe a cheap stew, often made with meat, vegetables, and whatever ingredients were on hand. Today, Slumgullion is a nickname for American goulash, Hungarian goulash, beefaroni, or chop suey.

Why you'll love this recipe

Easy: This easy Slumgullion recipe can quickly be thrown into the slow cooker before you leave for the day!
Comfort food: Goulash is the epitome of comfort food and nostalgia, making it perfect for cozy evenings.
Dump-and-go: All ingredients (except noodles and cheese) are thrown into the crock pot and left to cook on low for the day. You don't even have to brown the meat first!
One-pot meal: Slumgullion is made entirely in the slow cooker, including the pasta!
Kid-friendly: Kids love the combination of ground meat, diced tomatoes, and macaroni noodles.
Cheap: Goulash can feed a crowd without breaking the bank, and leave leftovers for the next day!

Ingredient Notes

Ingredients needed to make slow cooker goulash (slumgullion).

Ground turkey: Traditional Slumgullion recipes are made with ground beef. Ground turkey is used in place of ground beef so that we can skip browning the meat before it goes into the slow cooker.
Macaroni: Macaroni is the traditional type of pasta used in goulash. Any small pasta will work, though. Avoid larger pasta shapes like penne, fettuccini, or rigatoni.
Diced tomatoes: Canned diced tomatoes, along with the juices, are added to the sauce.
Bell peppers: I like to sneak in extra veggies when I can. Diced green bell peppers add color, flavor, and an extra dose of nutrition!
Cheddar cheese: Shredded cheddar cheese is sprinkled on during the last 5 minutes of cooking time. Melty cheese adds to the comfort food factor!
Beef broth: At first, the broth may seem to make the slumgullion too watery. However, it is needed to cook the pasta during the last 30 minutes.
Seasonings: Ground paprika is a common spice used in Hungarian goulash. It gives the meat dish a mildly sweet and spicey flavor.

Equipment Notes

I use a Crock-Pot 7-Quart Manual Slow Cooker at home. I also have my eye on this 7 Quart Slow Cooker with a locking lid and programmable cooking times.

How to Make Slumgullion

Recipe Rundown

Add all your ingredients (except pasta and cheese) to the slow cooker.
Cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 4-5 hours.
Stir in the dry macaroni during the last 30 minutes of cooking time.
When the noodles are soft, top the dish with shredded cheddar cheese.
Serve and enjoy!

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Add all ingredients, except for the macaroni noodles and shredded cheese, to the slow cooker.

Cover and cook on high for 4-5 hours or low for 6-8 hours.

Goulash in crock pot after it has been cooking, with dry macaroni noodles added.

Step 2: Add the dry macaroni noodles during the last 30 minutes of cooking time. Cover and continue cooking until the noodles are soft.

Goulash mixed in crock pot with cooked macaroni noodles.

Step 3: When the noodles are soft, stir the dish well to incorporate all the ingredients.

Shredded cheese on top of the slow cooker meal.

Step 4: Top with a generous amount of shredded cheddar cheese, cover, and let the cheese melt.

Melted cheddar cheese over top of the goulash.

Step 5: After about 5 minutes, the cheese should be gooey and melted!

Step 6: Serve and enjoy!

Expert Tips

Use quality ingredients. I prefer 80/20 ground turkey, fresh bell peppers, and low-sodium beef stock.
Save yourself some time in the morning and chop your bell peppers in advance.
Resist the urge to open the slow cooker during cooking time. Opening the lid allows steam and heat to escape, increasing the time it takes for the dish to cook.
Wait to add the pasta until 30 minutes before the end of the cooking time. Adding the pasta too soon could cause it to overcook and become mushy.
Adjust the seasonings to your taste. Add more salt and fresh herbs, and top with grated parmesan cheese if you'd like!

Substitutions and Variations

What to substitute: Ground chicken can be substituted for ground turkey, and low-sodium beef broth can be substituted for any other broth or stock.
Variations: Additional veggies, such as red bell peppers, frozen corn, and green peas, can be added. Red pepper flakes or spicy chili powder can increase the heat.

How to Store, Freeze, and Reheat

How to store: Store leftover goulash in a glass, airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-5 days.
How to freeze: Slumgullion freezes really well! Let it completely cool, then transfer to a freezer-safe container or ziplock bag. It can be frozen for up to 3 months.
How to reheat: Reheat leftovers in the microwave at full power in one-minute increments, stirring in between each increment.

What to Serve with Goulash

While goulash is a one-pot meal, it still pairs well with various side dishes! It's sometimes served with potatoes, rice, and beans, but I prefer fresh bread and sauteed vegetables!

Frequently Asked Questions

Where did the term slumgullion come from?

According to Merriam-Webster, the term "slumgullion" was first used in 1890, as a word to describe meat stew or soup.

Is slumgullion the same as goulash?

Yes, currently, slumgullion is another name for American Goulash, Hungarian Goulash, or American chop suey.

What is Slumgullion made of?

Slumgullion can be any cheap combination of meat, vegetables, and pasta. It's traditionally made with ground beef, tomatoes, and macaroni noodles.

More Pasta Recipes

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