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venison goulash recipe

Ground Venison Goulash

Author: Larry White
A hearty American-style goulash made with ground venison, tomatoes, garlic and fresh herbs. Finished with cheddar cheese, and ready in under an hour.
5 from 15 votes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time28 minutes
Servings: 4

Ingredients 

  • 1 pound ground venison
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 onion, finely chopped
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh oregano leaves, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon fresh thyme, chopped
  • 2 teaspoons sweet paprika
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 15 ounce can diced tomatoes (preferably fire-roasted)
  • 1 15 ounce can tomato sauce
  • 1 ½ cups chicken stock
  • Salt and ground black pepper
  • 1 pound dried pasta (any short pasta will work)
  • ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 2 tablespoons Fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions

  • Heat a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the olive oil and heat until it starts to lightly smoke. Add the ground venison and season with salt and pepper. Using a wooden spoon, break up the meat into small pieces. Cook until it is golden brown, around 3 to 5 minutes.
  • Lower the heat to medium. Add the onions, garlic, thyme, and oregano. Cook until the onions just begin to soften, around 5 minutes. Add the tomato paste and stir to combine. Add the chicken stock, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, paprika, and Worcestershire sauce. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Bring to a slow simmer and cook for around 20 minutes to slightly thicken and to develop the flavors.
  • Meanwhile, cook your pasta according to the directions on the package in a large pot of salted water. Once al dente, drain the pasta.
  • Add the drained pasta to the venison and tomato mixture. Slowly simmer until slightly thickened, around 5 minutes. If the sauce is too thick, thin it out with a little chicken stock. Stir in the fresh parsley and shredded cheddar cheese.

To Serve

  • Serve in bowls topped with chopped fresh parsley and more shredded cheddar cheese.

NOTES

  • Pasta Options: Elbow macaroni is classic, but any short pasta (like rotini, shells, or cavatappi) works well.
  • Cheese Swap: Sharp cheddar is my go-to. But smoked cheddar, Jack cheese, and fresh parmesan work great.
  • Make-Ahead: Goulash reheats well. Store in an airtight container up to 4 days. Add a splash of stock when reheating.
  • Freezing: You can freeze goulash. But for best results, I recommend freezing the sauce and pasta separately. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator. Mix them together and reheat on low in the microwave or stovetop.
Make this recipe?Mention @Larry__White or tag #WildGameGourmet!