Hungarian goulash originated in central Europe and was a popular dish among herdsmen (the word "goulash" actually means herdsmen). Simply put, it is a slow-cooked stew or soup consisting of cut-up meat, vegetables, and a generous amount of paprika. There are many variations but it doesn't usually include pasta. For more about the history of paprika and Hungarian goulash, check out this interesting article from the Smithsonian Magazine. American goulash is a one pot dish made with ground beef, macaroni, tomatoes, and paprika. In some areas of the U.S., it's called American chop suey. It really doesn't bear much resemblance to its Hungarian cousin, except for the paprika.