American Chop Suey is a classic comfort dish made with ground beef, macaroni, and a rich tomato sauce. Despite the name, it’s actually an American home-style pasta meal.
Ingredients (Serves 4–6)
- 1 lb ground beef
- 2 cups elbow macaroni
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 1 green bell pepper, chopped (optional)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
- 1 can (14–15 oz) diced tomatoes
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste (optional for thicker sauce)
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
- Cook the macaroni
Boil macaroni in salted water until just tender. Drain and set aside. - Cook the beef
Heat olive oil in a large skillet or pot. Add ground beef and cook until browned. Drain excess fat. - Add vegetables
Stir in onion, bell pepper, and garlic. Cook about 3–4 minutes until softened. - Make the sauce
Add tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
Simmer for 10–15 minutes. - Combine
Stir the cooked macaroni into the sauce and mix well. - Serve
Serve hot, optionally topped with grated Parmesan cheese.
Tips
- Some people add a little sugar (½ teaspoon) to balance the tomato acidity.
- You can mix in shredded cheddar or mozzarella for a cheesy version.
- It tastes even better the next day after the flavors blend.
If you want, I can also show you the difference between American Chop Suey, Goulash, and Chinese Chop Suey—a lot of people mix them up.
