WW (Weight Watchers) Recipe of the Day: Southwestern Ground Beef Goulash (American Chop Suey with a Southwest Spin)
This Southwestern Weight Watchers Goulash recipe is a modern take on my Mom's hamburger goulash. A classic comfort food and one of my favorite foods since I was a kid.
I had a feeling as soon as I spied the recipe in the Taste of Home Best of Comfort Food Diet Cookbook: Lose Weight With 749 Recipes From Today's Family Cooks! (affiliate link) it would be a winner with us. I was right.
One of the keys to weight loss success for me is finding recipes for healthy meals the whole family will enjoy. Cooking multiple meals for family dinner hour takes way too much time and effort!
The good news is that the Weight Watchers Plan allows you the flexibility to lighten traditional recipes in all kinds of light and delicious way. This Weight Watchers goulash recipe is a perfect example.
Skinny Southwestern Goulash for Weight Watchers
What is the Difference between Hungarian Goulash and Regular Goulash?
Beefy American goulash is completely different from the traditional Hungarian dish. It's a quick and easy main course dinner combination of ground beef, onion, tomatoes, bell peppers, tomatoes and/or tomato sauce and elbow macaroni. Think homemade from scratch Hamburger Helper or the American Chop Suey from childhood memories of your school cafeteria days.
The Hungarian recipe for goulash, (traditional goulash) by comparison, is a long-simmering stew made with chunks of beef and vegetables seasoned with generous amounts of paprika.
How Many WW Points and Calories in this Southwestern Ground Beef Goulash?
According to my calculations each serving has 224 calories and:
5 *SmartPoints (Green plan)
4 *SmartPoints (Blue plan)
4 *SmartPoints (Purple plan)
6 *PointsPlus (Old plan)
To see your WW PersonalPoints for this recipe and track it in the WW app or site, Click here!
To keep the calories and WW Points as low as possible be sure to use extra-lean ground beef (or lean ground turkey if you prefer).
How Many Weight Watchers Points in Ground Beef?
On the Weight Watchers program, 3 ounces of cooked ground beef has 3-6 points, depending on the fat content. The leaner the beef, the lower the points. According to the WW Recipe Builder APP:
- 3 ounces of cooked 95% lean ground beef has 4 Points.
- 3 ounces of cooked 90% lean ground beef has 5 Points.
- 3 ounces of cooked 80-85% lean ground beef has 6 Points.
Ground beef is generally sold as regular, lean and extra lean. If you are trying to keep your calories/points low, opt for extra lean (95%) whenever you can.
Weight Watchers Goulash Ingredients:
- 1 cup elbow macaroni
- 1 pound extra lean ground beef
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 28 ounces diced tomatoes, undrained
- ⅔ cup frozen corn kernels
- 8 ounces tomato sauce
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ cup minced fresh cilantro
How to Make Weight Watchers Goulash?
Making this Weight Watchers Goulash Recipe couldn't be easier...
Step 1: Cook the macaroni noodles according to package directions.
Elbow Macaroni Photo Credit: National Pasta Association
Step 2: While the water is boiling and the pasta is cooking, prepare the ground meat and vegetables. In a large skillet (affiliate link) set over medium heat, cook the beef and chopped onion, stirring and breaking up the meat into small crumbles, until the meat is no longer pink. Stir in the tomatoes, corn, tomato sauce, chiles, cumin, pepper and salt. Bring to a boil and then lower the heat to a gentle simmer and continue to cook, uncovered, for 4-5 minutes to allow the flavors to blend.
Step 3: Drain the macaroni and stir into the meat/vegetable mixture. Stir in the cilantro and heat through. Taste and adjust the seasonings, adding more salt, pepper, cumin, etc. to taste.
Recipe Notes, Substitutions and Variations
- I increased the corn from ⅔ to 1 cup and the cumin from ½ to 1 teaspoon, which was just right for us.
- I used extra-lean ground beef, but ground turkey, chicken or pork would also work. As would chopped mushrooms or soy crumbles for a vegetarian version.
- Spicier? Increase cumin, add taco seasoning, fajita seasoning, chili powder or ground red pepper (cayenne).
- More flavor? Stir in a splash or two or Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce or tomato paste or additional seasonings such as more cumin, taco seasoning, fajita seasoning, chili powder.
- Heartier? For more heartiness you could add a can of drained and rinsed black beans.
- Not a fan of cilantro? Substitute chopped fresh green onions.
- Cheesy? Stir in or top with a cup of shredded cheddar cheese or pepper jack cheese (Reduced fat if calories/WW Points are a concern)
- Creamier? Top with a dollop of low fat sour cream or plain Greek yogurt.
- Substitute whole-wheat pasta or gluten-free pasta if you prefer.
Southwestern Goulash Image Credit: Taste of Home
What to Serve with Weight Watchers Goulash?
Served with a big tossed green salad, it made for a satisfying supper last night. Cornbread or muffins would be nice with it too.
What to Do with Leftover Goulash?
Keep leftover WW goulash in a covered airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days for future quick and easy meals. (I know many picky eaters who actually prefer this great dinner better the next day.)
You can reheat on the stove top over low to medium heat or in the microwave (affiliate link) before serving. Freeze chilled portions in freezer bags or airtight containers for up to 4 weeks. For best results thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.
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Southwestern Goulash with Corn
Ingredients
- 1 cup uncooked elbow macaroni (I used whole wheat)
- 1 pound 95% lean ground beef
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 1 can (28 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained
- ⅔ cup frozen corn (I used 1 cup)
- 1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce
- 1 can (4 ounces) chopped green chiles
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin (I used 1 teaspoon)
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ cup minced fresh cilantro
Instructions
- Cook macaroni according to package directions.
- While the water is boiling and pasta is cooking, prepare the ground beef and vegetables.
- In a large skillet (affiliate link) set over medium heat, cook the beef and onion, stirring and breaking up the meat into small crumbles, until meat is no longer pink, about 6 minutes.
- Stir in the tomatoes, corn, tomato sauce, chilies, cumin, pepper and salt. Bring to a boil then lower the heat to a gentle simmer and continue to cook, uncovered, for 4-5 minutes to allow flavors to blend.
- Drain macaroni and add to the meat/vegetable mixture.
- Stir in the cilantro and heat through. Taste and adjust the seasonings, adding more salt, pepper, cumin, etc. to taste.
Equipment
Recipe Notes
- I increased the corn from ⅔ to 1 cup and the cumin from ½ to 1 teaspoon, which was just right for us.
- I used extra-lean ground beef, but ground turkey, chicken or pork would also work. As would chopped mushrooms or soy crumbles for a vegetarian version.
- Spicier? Increase cumin, add taco seasoning, fajita seasoning, chili powder or ground red pepper (cayenne).
- More flavor? Stir in a splash or two or Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce or tomato paste.
- Heartier? For more heartiness you could add a can of drained and rinsed black beans.
- Not a fan of cilantro? Substitute chopped fresh green onions.
- Cheesy? Stir in or top with a cup of shredded cheddar cheese or pepper jack cheese (Reduced fat if calories/WW Points are a concern)
- Creamier? Top with a dollop of low fat sour cream or plain Greek yogurt.
- Substitute whole-wheat pasta or gluten-free pasta if you prefer.
Recipe source: adapted from Taste of Home Best of Comfort Food Diet Cookbook: Lose Weight with 749 Recipes From Today's Family Cooks! (affiliate link)
*Points® calculated by WW. *PointsPlus® and SmartPoints® calculated by Simple Nourished Living; Not endorsed by Weight Watchers International, Inc. All recipe ingredients except optional items included in determining nutritional estimates. SmartPoints® values calculated WITHOUT each plan's ZeroPoint Foods (Green plan, Blue plan, Purple plan) using the WW Recipe Builder.
Kitchen tools I used to make this Southwestern Beef Goulash:
More Weight Watchers Goulash Recipes
- Mom's Hamburger Goulash with Elbow Macaroni is a longtime family favorite.
- Here's a Weight Watchers friendly One Pot Goulash from Keeping on Point.
- A Healthy Goulash for WW made with Ground Turkey from Midlife Healthy Living.
- This Beefy American Goulash from Emily Bites is seasoned with Italian seasoning, soy sauce and a little paprika.
More Great Recipes for Weight Watchers Skillet Meals
- One-Pot Cheeseburger Pasta Skillet
AKA homemade hamburger helper, a one pot skillet meal that's sure to please the entire family. It did mine. - Easy Lightened Up Skillet Lasagna
A quick and easy one-pot dish combining lasagna noodles, spaghetti sauce, ground beef, vegetables and a little cheese, this easy skillet lasagna is perfect for a busy weeknight supper. - Sweet Potato Turkey Dinner in a Skillet
A dinner idea that's as healthy as it is delicious. It's the kind of simple tasty one-pot recipe your whole family will love. Every time I make it it's a big hit with mine. - Lentils, Sausage and Kale Skillet Supper
An easy, healthy and delicious one skillet dinner, this lentils sausage and kale was a winner when I served it. - 4-Ingredient Taco Cauliflower Rice Skillet
Ground turkey mixed with cauliflower rice, salsa and taco seasoning combine in this quick, easy, healthy, low carb, low points delicious one dish meal.
Martha is the founder and main content writer for Simple-Nourished-Living.
A longtime lifetime WW at goal, she is committed to balancing her love of food and desire to stay slim while savoring life and helping others do the same.
She is the author of the Smart Start 28-Day Weight Loss Challenge.
A huge fan of the slow cooker and confessed cookbook addict, when she's not experimenting in the kitchen, you're likely to find Martha on her yoga mat.
This post contains affiliate links to products I like. When you buy something through one of my Amazon links or other (affiliate links), I receive a small commission that helps support this site. Thank you for your purchase!
Published 4/2015. Updated with new content and photos 1/2023.
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Laurie A Henchel
love love love this recipe! Works great with my WW Blue plan and it's just really tasty Makes enough for lunch leftovers too.
Wendie
I'm looking forward to making this. A recommendation on using ground cumin. Instead of buying ground cumin, buy cumin seeds and grind them yourself. The difference in taste is amazing and delicious. You can find cumin (cumin) seeds in the Mexican food section of the grocery store.
Paula Campos
Green chiles listed twice…typo?
Martha McKinnon
Yes, Paula! I've corrected the recipe. Thanks for taking the time to let me know. ~Martha