Combine the diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, beef broth, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper directly in your crockpot. Stir well to dissolve the tomato paste and distribute the seasonings evenly. This creates a flavorful foundation that will develop deeper complexity as it cooks. Set the crockpot aside while you prepare the meat.

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the diced onion and cook for 2-3 minutes until softened and fragrant. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it apart with a spoon as it browns, for 6-8 minutes total until no pink remains. Drain off excess fat by tilting the skillet and spooning it out—this prevents the dish from becoming greasy. I find that browning the beef first adds a savory depth that really elevates the final flavor, even though it's a slow cooker dish.

Transfer the cooked beef and onions from Step 2 into the crockpot with the sauce base from Step 1. Stir everything together thoroughly to distribute the meat evenly throughout the liquid. Cover and cook on LOW for 6-8 hours, or on HIGH for 2-4 hours, depending on your schedule. The long, gentle cooking time allows the flavors to meld and develop richness.

About 45 minutes before the goulash is done, stir in the uncooked elbow macaroni. The pasta will absorb liquid and soften as it cooks. If the mixture looks too thick at any point, add a splash of beef broth or water—you want it saucy but not soupy. I like to give it a stir halfway through this final cooking phase to ensure the noodles cook evenly. Continue cooking until the macaroni is tender, which should happen right around when your target cooking time is reached.

Taste the goulash and adjust seasonings as needed—you may want to add a bit more salt, pepper, or Italian seasoning depending on your preference. Ladle into bowls and top each serving with shredded cheddar cheese. The warm cheese will soften slightly into the hot goulash, adding richness and a creamy texture that rounds out the dish perfectly.