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American Chop Suey Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 98 reviews

American Chop Suey is a classic comfort food dish featuring elbow macaroni tossed in a savory tomato sauce with ground beef, onions, green bell peppers, and a blend of herbs and spices. This hearty, one-pot meal is easy to prepare and perfect for family dinners, combining pasta and a rich meat sauce for satisfying flavors everyone will enjoy.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta

  • 16 ounces elbow macaroni
  • 1 tablespoon salt (for pasta water)

Sauce and Meat

  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1 large white onion, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 1 green bell pepper, diced
  • 14 ounces diced tomatoes
  • 5.5 ounces 100% tomato juice
  • 15 ounces tomato sauce
  • 6 ounces tomato paste
  • 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1 tablespoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire Sauce (optional)

Instructions

  1. Cook Pasta: Fill a large pot with water, add salt, and bring it to a boil. Cook the elbow macaroni according to the package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set aside. You can use the same pot for the sauce if preferred.
  2. Sauté Onions: In the same or a separate pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the diced white onion and sauté, stirring frequently, until the onions are translucent, about 4 minutes.
  3. Add Garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute, stirring frequently to prevent burning.
  4. Cook Ground Beef: Add the ground beef to the pot with onions and garlic. Cook, breaking it apart with a spoon, until it is fully browned and no longer pink. For less fat, the beef can be browned separately and then combined with the sauce later.
  5. Add Green Bell Pepper: Stir in the diced green bell pepper and cook until soft, approximately 5 minutes.
  6. Add Tomato Ingredients and Seasonings: Add the diced tomatoes, tomato juice, tomato sauce, tomato paste, granulated sugar, dried oregano, dried basil, salt, black pepper, and Worcestershire Sauce if using. Stir everything together and cook until heated through and flavors meld, about 5-7 minutes.
  7. Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the cooked elbow macaroni to the sauce and stir well to coat the pasta evenly. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to taste. Serve warm.

Notes

  • For a leaner version, brown the ground beef in a separate pan and drain excess fat before adding it to the sauce.
  • You can easily double or halve this recipe depending on serving needs.
  • Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for 3-4 days and reheat nicely on the stove or microwave.
  • Optional Worcestershire Sauce adds depth of flavor but can be omitted for a simpler taste.
  • Adding a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese on top before serving enhances the flavor.

Keywords: American Chop Suey, elbow macaroni recipe, ground beef pasta, comfort food, easy dinner

Find it online: https://recipeswithmia.com/american-chop-suey-recipe/