American Chop Suey 🍝🥩
Not the Chinese dish! This is a classic American comfort-food pasta casserole made with ground beef, pasta, and tomato sauce—simple, hearty, and family-friendly.
🧾 Ingredients (Serves 4–6)
- 1 lb (450g) ground beef
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 1 green bell pepper, chopped
- 2–3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes or tomato sauce
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp dried basil
- Salt & pepper to taste
- 12 oz elbow macaroni or other pasta
- 1–2 tbsp olive oil
👩🍳 Instructions
1. Cook the pasta
- Boil pasta according to package instructions
- Drain and set aside
2. Cook the beef & vegetables
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet
- Cook ground beef until browned; drain excess fat
- Add onion, bell pepper, and garlic; sauté until softened
3. Add sauce & seasonings
- Stir in crushed tomatoes, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper
- Simmer 10–15 minutes for flavors to meld
4. Combine with pasta
- Add cooked pasta to the skillet
- Mix thoroughly so pasta is coated with sauce
- Optional: top with shredded cheese and cover until melted
5. Serve
- Serve hot as a main dish
- Optional: garnish with fresh parsley or grated Parmesan
🌟 Tips
- Add other vegetables like zucchini, mushrooms, or carrots for extra nutrition
- For a creamier twist, stir in a little sour cream or cream cheese before serving
- Leftovers taste great reheated the next day
If you want, I can give a one-pot American chop suey recipe that cooks the pasta and beef together for less cleanup and faster prep 😋
Do you want me to do that?
