American Chop Suey Recipe
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American Chop Suey is a simple, one-pot dish that kids and adults alike will devour! This recipe takes very little hands-on time and makes the house smell wonderful while it simmers on the table.
Need something to pair it with? While this hearty dish can stand on its own, it also complements crab dip, crisp side salad, some flavorful broccoli casserole, or freshly baked Focaccia.
American Chop Suey
For those outside New England, this dish is often known as Goulash. It’s elbow macaroni combined with a rich tomato meat sauce.
That said, a few signature elements make this dish stand out. American Chop Suey is traditionally made with elbow macaroni, ground beef, tomatoes, peppers, and onions. Its simplicity and adaptability make it ideal for busy parents who need a quick, comforting dinner using what’s on hand in the kitchen. It’s the ultimate example of comfort food.
This dish was a staple in my household growing up. It is also a good recipe when you need to feed a crowd. The mild and customizable flavor pleases almost everyone,
What Ingredients are in American Chop Suey?
The full recipe with ingredient amounts and instructions is at the bottom of this post. You can save a tree and the recipe to your personal and private recipe box here on Call Me PMc. This way, you’ll never misplace it.
Here is a list of the basic ingredients, but feel free to mix it up with what you have on hand!
- Peppers and Onions – any color and perfectly sautéed.
- Ground beef
- Tomatoes – tomato paste, tomato sauce, and canned tomatoes are added
- Herbs and Spices – your typical Italian seasonings are included but you could switch them out for other more Mexican flavors to create more of an Enchilada Mac or Chili Mac.
- Elbow Macaroni – growing up the shape sometimes changed and every now and then it was rice instead of pasta, but most kid-friendly households will tell you elbow macaroni is where it’s at!
- Toppings – CHEESE! If your house loves cheese, anything from American slices, Parmesan, or cheddar will work fantastic on this dish. Adults typically love a dash of hot sauce and fresh parsley.
Equipment
How to Make American Chop Suey
The great thing about using cast iron, is it truly makes it a one-pot meal. I start with selecting my largest enameled cast iron
Next I saute the onions and peppers in a Tablespoon of both olive oil and
Next, I add a bit of tomato paste to add a rich, earthy taste to the dish. Then I add diced tomatoes with garlic with their juice. There’s also a canned tomato that has red pepper flakes in it that is really good for those that don’t mind a little heat! Then, I add just a touch of pasta or pizza sauce to thicken. More can be added to American chop suey at the end.
The herbs are also added to the
How to store leftovers
Leftover American chop suey will keep in an airtight container for about 5 days refrigerated. You can also pour this into an aluminum pan and top with cheese, cover with foil and freeze for about 3 months. The pasta may be a bit mushier than when originally cooked, but it’s great to have this for a last minute dinner. Thaw the night before if possible and reheat in the oven at 350F with a layer of fresh sauce until warm.
More One-Pot Meals
- Skillet Lasagna
- Shepherd’s Pie
- OLD FASHIONED GOULASH RECIPE
- One Pot Cheesy Beef Macaroni
- Best Creamy Rice Pudding Recipe
- Viral Smash Burger Tacos
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I hope you enjoyed this American chop suey. Here are more of my latest recipes below.
American Chop Suey Recipe
Equipment
- colander
Ingredients
- 1 pound elbow macaroni
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- 1 Tablespoon butter
- 1 medium yellow onions diced
- 1 medium green pepper diced
- 1 pound ground beef
- 2 Tablespoons Tomato Paste
- 28 ounces diced tomatoes with garlic with juice
- 1 cup pasta sauce
- 2 Tablespoons Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese optional
- 3 Tablespoons fresh parsley optional
Instructions
- Cook the macaroni according to package instructions in the Dutch oven. Drain and set aside in colander.1 pound elbow macaroni
- Sauté the onion and pepper in olive oil and butter.
- When tender, add the ground beef and cook through. Drain excess grease as needed.1 Tablespoon olive oil , 1 Tablespoon butter, 1 medium yellow onions, 1 medium green pepper, 1 pound ground beef
- Add the tomato paste and cook about 1 minute before adding the canned tomatoes with juice and pasta sauce.2 Tablespoons Tomato Paste, 28 ounces diced tomatoes with garlic, 1 cup pasta sauce
- Add the seasonings, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 10 minutes before adding cooked pasta.2 Tablespoons Italian seasoning, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- Toss well to combine before serving. Garnish if desired1/2 cup parmesan cheese , 3 Tablespoons fresh parsley
Nutrition
Nutritional information given is an automatic calculation and can vary based on the exact products you use and changes you make to the recipe. If these numbers are important to you, I recommend calculating them yourself.