Meet one of the most incredibly delicious recipes with a funny-sounding name that the entire family will LOVE, low carb goulash!
Full of real, hearty, and delicious flavors – this mouthwatering, heartwarming dish leaves other low carb recipes out in the cold.
Fragrant garlic and onions, perfectly seasoned tomato sauce, filling ground beef and cabbage; this low carb dinners perfect in every way. Sprinkle this low carb pasta with cheese, or pair it with low carb bread for a perfect cool weather meal that’ll make you breathe in a big, happy sigh.
Friend, if you’re looking for dinner ideas, you’ve found a forever favorite.
Let’s dive in!
What I Love About This Low Carb Goulash Recipe
Two words: comfort food. This low carb goulash recipe has all the makings of a family tradition, plus:
- Inexpensive, easy to find ingredients!
- Ready in 45 minutes! BONUS, most of that time is just letting this goulash simmer and marinate on the stove!
- So customizable – the base flavors are classic and delicious, so add in spices you love or take out some you don’t!
Recipe Notes
The only real technique needed in making this low carb goulash recipe is chopping, so if you have even beginner skills – you’re ready! Check out my tips below to make this easy dish come together without a hitch!
Ingredient Notes
These are all basic kitchen staples, but let’s get a little background on these familiar foods!
Meat – this low carb ground beef recipes main ingredient is (you guessed it) ground beef! BUT, you can swap it out for ground turkey, ground pork, or even a mild ground sausage.
Sauce – We’re essentially making our own low carb spaghetti sauce in this recipe by simmering tomatoes, onions, and herbs. Here’s where you can get creative and add your own flavor!
Noodles – there are so many low carb vegetables that make for delicious noodle options, but for this dish, my FAVORITE are cabbage noodles. Their texture is perfect for this goulash, and their flavor is mild and slightly sweet.
Tools To Make
This easy dish uses two core kitchen tools. If you don’t already have them, consider getting them to make your kitchen adventures a little easier.
- Chef’s Knife – you want a good, sharp knife for slicing and mincing your veggies. Did you know that you’re more likely to cut yourself with a dull knife than a sharp one?
- Dutch oven – this heavy, ceramic or cast iron dish is a workhorse. Bake bread in it, make desserts or dinners or broths in it. They can do everything, and they can go from stovetop to oven – making them indispensable.
Storing Tips
Store leftovers in the fridge in an airtight container, keeping the cheese separate. Reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave, top with fresh cheese, and you have a heavenly meal ready in minutes!
Bonus points: this is a great freezer meal!
Recipe Variations
This classic dish already has a few twists added to make it low carb. It can take some more tweaks – read on for some ideas!
- Switch up the noodles. You can use shirataki noodles, almond flour pasta, spiralized veggies like zucchini (check out my zucchini lasagna for tips), or even sliced veggies! Mild tasting options such as spinach, kale or eggplant (we LOVE our eggplant lasagna!) are perfect for this dish.
- Get creative with your sauce by adding in different herbs, spices, and veggies. This is also where most of the carbs in this dish come from, so consider moving things around to meet your nutrition goals.
- Add more cheese! Cheese makes everything! Mix some cheese into the sauce, like in my cauliflower mac and cheese, or add more to the topping.
More Low Carb Pasta Recipes
Impressed by this inventive noodle dish? There are plenty more where that came from! Check out all these low carb pasta alternatives!
- Zucchini Ravioli
- Low Carb Gnocchi
- Spaghetti Squash Pad Thai
- Cauliflower Salad
- Italian Sausage Meatballs
Low Carb Goulash
Print Recipe Pin RecipeIngredients
- 2 Pounds Ground Beef 80/20
- 1 Yellow Onion large
- 4 Cloves Garlic minced
- 1 - 15 Ounce Can of Tomato Sauce canned
- 1 - 14.5 Ounce Can of Diced Tomatoes canned
- 1 1/2 Tablespoons Soy Sauce
- 2 Tablespoons Dried Oregano
- 2 Teaspoons Dried Basil
- 2 Dried Bay Leaves
- 1 Tablespoon Kosher Salt
- 1/2 Teaspoon Black Pepper
- 10 Ounces Cabbage shredded
- 1 Cup Sharp Cheddar Cheese shredded, (optional, use for the topping)
Instructions
- In a large dutch oven, cook meat (2 Pounds) over medium heat, breaking it into small pieces with the back of your spoon as it cook. Cook until no longer any pink.
- Stir in yellow onion (1) and minced garlic (4 cloves) and cook until onions are translucent - about 8 minutes.
- Stir in tomato sauce (1-15 Ounce Can), diced tomatoes (1-14.5 Ounce Can), soy sauce (1 1/2 tablespoons), oregano (2 tablespoons), basil (2 teaspoons), bay leaves (2), seasoned salt (1 tablespoon) and black pepper (1/2 teaspoon).
- Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat.
- Reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Stir in shredded cabbage (10 Ounces), and let the sauce simmer for about 5 minutes (for more crunchy texture) to 10 minutes (for softer texture).
- Remove from heat, discard bay leaves, and refrigerate, if possible, overnight.
- If serving right away, you can sprinkle with cheese and melt in the oven for a few minutes! (I put the oven to broil and cooked for 6 minutes, until the cheese just starts to brown around the edges). Serve warm, and enjoy!
Fans Also Made These Low Carb Recipes:
Lindsey's Tips
- Meat. You can use ground turkey instead of beef, simply add 1 tablespoon of mild-tasting oil to the pan to cook it.
- Nutritional information is based on 1 serving if you divide this recipe into 6 servings, and includes the cheese topping:
I love goulash! I can’t wait to try your low carb recipe 🙂
I am missing the rest of the recipe.
Hi! You’re unable to see the recipe?
Is this something I could make and then seal smaller batches with my food saver and freeze?
Hi Nancy! I don’t see why not! Hope you enjoy 🙂
Hi i was wondering how long on Low in a slowcooker would you cook this for? Thanks ?
Hi Tracey! I cooking it in the slow cooker on HIGH for 3 1/2 to 4 hours. Hope you enjoy! 🙂
Do you drain the ground beef?
Hi Susan! I didn’t, but you can if you’d like to cut out some of the fat. Enjoy! 🙂
Hi,
I’m interested in using the Miracle Noodle or other pasta substitute. Do I cook the noodles IN with the other ingredients in the crockpot or serve atop? I wasn’t sure which is preferred for consistency sake.
Hi Thea!! I would cook the noodles per their instructions, then toss them into the goulash right before serving, that way, they don’t get soggy and maintain the right consistency. Come back and let us know what you think!
Is this for 1 cup servings?
Hi Abbie!
The actual size of a serving will vary depending on how much liquid is cooked out of the dish — the easiest way to calculate it is to divide the recipe into 12 servings, each serving is reflected in the nutritional information. Hope you enjoy!
We found this quite good, but my husband found it rather dry. I think when I heat up the leftover, I will add some sour cream on top.
Hi Donna, happy you enjoyed it! The recipe shouldn’t be dry, due to the tomato sauce and canned tomatoes. I suggest lowering the heat in your pan, I wonder if too much liquid was cooked out during the simmering process?