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Learn to make the best slumgullion recipe! Slumgullion goes by many different names, including American goulash, Johnny Marzetti, American chop suey, beefaroni, and more. (It depends on whether you grew up in New England, the South or elsewhere.) You’ll love these cheap and easy directions for how to make slumgullion for a quick family dinner. Who doesn’t love some delicious comfort food?
You can’t have too many slumgullion recipes in my world! I’ve already shared a recipe for crockpot slumgullion (AKA my American chop suey crock pot recipe). Today, we’re making slum gullion on the stovetop.
➕ What is slumgullion?
According to Merriam Webster, the slumgullion definition is “meat stew.” In the United States, slumgullion is often used as a nickname for American-style goulash. This is a dish made with ground beef, macaroni, and a tomato base.
🍅 What is slumgullion made of?
Let’s do this! Here are the ingredients to make slumgullion:
- 1 tablespoon oil
- 1 cup onion, chopped (about one small onion)
- 1 lb ground beef (454 grams; lean ground beef or 80/20 for richer flavor)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1½ cups marinara sauce (12 fl oz)
- 1 cup canned diced tomato (8 fl oz)
- 1½ tablespoons concentrated tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- ½ teaspoon dried basil
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- 6 ounces dry elbow macaroni (170 grams)
- Grated Parmesan cheese and fresh basil for topping (optional)
This is how my family has been making slumgullion for decades. I love that the canned tomato, tomato paste, and tomato sauce give the perfect goulash thickness plus bigger tomato pieces.
That said, every family makes goulash a little differently. For example, you can make slumgullion with tomato soup in place of the spaghetti sauce. Or add a little beef broth or chicken broth if you like a thin goulash.
Another idea is to make slumgullion with rice instead of macaroni. You could also add a cheddar cheese topping in place of (or in addition to) the Parm. Here are some other things to put in slumgullion:
- Bell pepper
- Mushrooms
- Corn
- Ground sausage
- Sliced olives
- Italian seasoning
- Paprika
This recipe is extremely adaptable to any changes you wish to make. Don’t be afraid to experiment; there’s no one right way when it comes to slumgullion!
🔪 How to Make American Slumgullion
Here are the step-by-step instructions for slumgullion:
Start a pot of water to boil on the stove. Cook the macaroni noodles according to package directions. (Here are general directions for how to cook spaghetti and other types of pasta.)
Put a cast iron Dutch oven on the stovetop over medium heat. Add the ground beef, chopped onion, and oil and brown for about 10-15 minutes, crumbling the meat with a spatula as it cooks.
Add the garlic, marinara sauce, canned tomatoes, tomato paste, soy sauce, basil, and oregano to the pot. Simmer for approximately 10 minutes. Add the cooked and drained macaroni during the last 5 minutes.
Sprinkle the slumgullion with Parm and basil (if desired) and serve.
⭐ What is the difference between slumgullion and goulash?
Slumgullion vs goulash – what’s the difference? In the United States, slumgullion is simply another name for goulash made American style. This is a dish most commonly made with elbow macaroni pasta, ground beef, and a red sauce base.
📋 Slumgullion Calories
One hearty serving of slumgullion made with lean ground beef provides 651 calories, 55.3 grams net carbs, and 35.9 grams protein. When made with regular 80/20 ground beef, this slumgullion recipe has 784 calories per serving.
🌡️ How to Store Slumgullion Leftovers
Leftover slumgullion keeps for 3-4 days in the refrigerator in covered containers. For longer storage, the pasta and meat mixture should be frozen in separate containers. Don’t mix them together until ready to reheat and serve.
FAQs
Where did the term slumgullion come from?
Why is it called slumgullion? It’s not agreed upon where this fun name came from. Some sources say it’s a combination of “slum,” an old word for slime, plus “gullion,” a dialectical English term for “cesspool.” How appetizing. Haha
Where did slumgullion originate?
What country is slumgullion from? The slumgullion origin remains a mystery, though the US, Ireland, and Britain all have their own versions. Some sources for slumgullion stew history say one of the earliest appearances of “slum gullion” in print was a Mark Twain story. However, Twain’s slumgullion was a beverage, not a stew.
How to make slumgullion with potatoes?
You can substitute the macaroni pasta in slumgullion for steamed and chopped potatoes. Alternatively, serve the slumgullion on mashed potatoes for some carbs-on-carbs goodness.
How to make traditional Irish slumgullion?
To make traditional slumgullion, you’re essentially making an Irish stew (no macaroni). Here is a traditional Irish stew recipe that uses potatoes instead of pasta for the carbs.
How to make American vegan goulash?
To make vegan American slumgullion, simply substitute the ground beef for your favorite vegan meat crumbles. Either skip topping the dish with Parmesan cheese or use a vegan cheese substitute.
How to make a German slumgullion recipe?
German goulash usually contains red wine, and the starches served with it can vary. Here is a recipe for German slumgullion to try that is highly rated.
👩🏻🍳 More Comfort Food Recipes
Here are some other recipes for comfort food using pasta or ground beef:
Watch How to Make It!
Slumgullion Recipe (American Slumgullion Stew)
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon oil
- 1 cup onion, chopped (about one small onion)
- 1 lb lean ground beef 454 grams
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1½ cup marinara sauce 12 fl oz
- 1 cup diced tomatoes (canned) 8 fl oz
- 1½ tablespoons double-concentrated tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- ½ teaspoon dried basil
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- 6 ounces elbow macaroni, dry 170 grams
- grated Parm and fresh basil (for topping, optional)
Instructions
- Start a pot of water to boil on the stove. Cook the macaroni noodles according to package directions.
- Put a cast iron Dutch oven on the stovetop over medium heat. Add the ground beef, chopped onion, and oil and brown for about 10-15 minutes, crumbling the meat with a spatula as it cooks.
- Add the garlic, marinara sauce, canned tomatoes, tomato paste, soy sauce, basil, and oregano to the pot. Simmer for approximately 10 minutes. Add the cooked and drained macaroni during the last 5 minutes.
- Sprinkle the slumgullion with Parm and basil (if desired) and serve.
Equipment
Notes
💭 Expert Tips from Dietitian Summer Yule
This is a level 3 recipe (weight maintenance and active lifestyles). The nutrition information for this slumgullion recipe includes the slumgullion without toppings or side dishes. By the time you add these things, your meal will be over 700 calories. A realistic portion of slumgullion is relatively high calorie because the bulk in this dish comes from pasta. What’s lacking here are non-starchy veggies for fiber and low-calorie volume. Enjoying roasted spaghetti squash or a green salad as a side dish with a smaller portion of this recipe helps balance the meal and keep it satisfying. Nutrition information is for one serving.
nutrition info disclaimer
All recipes on this website may or may not be appropriate for you, depending on your medical needs and personal preferences. Consult with a registered dietitian or your physician if you need help determining the dietary pattern that may be best for you.
The nutrition information is an estimate provided as a courtesy. It will differ depending on the specific brands and ingredients that you use. Calorie information on food labels may be inaccurate, so please don’t sweat the numbers too much.
“To taste” means to your preferences, which may have to be visual to follow food safety rules. Please don’t eat undercooked food x
Nutrition
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Hello! I’m Summer, a registered dietitian and home chef who loves to cook, eat, and create recipes for you! Every recipe on this site has been tested by me to help ensure your success in the kitchen. All eaters are welcome here 🙂