If you’re craving a hearty, comfort-food classic that’s easy to whip up any night of the week, you’re in the right place! This Easy American Chop Suey Recipe is one of those dishes I love because it’s like a warm, nostalgic hug served in a bowl — packed with tender elbow macaroni, savory ground beef, and a rich tomato sauce that just hits the spot every time. Whether you’re a busy weeknight warrior or just want something that fills the whole family’s bellies without fuss, this recipe will quickly become a favorite in your kitchen.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Simple, Pantry-Friendly Ingredients: You probably have most of these staples on hand already, which makes it super convenient.
- One-Pot Wonder: Minimal cleanup means you spend more time enjoying and less time washing dishes.
- Family-Approved Comfort: My family goes crazy for this, and I bet yours will too, especially on chilly evenings.
- Versatile and Customizable: You can throw in veggies or swap out proteins depending on what’s in your fridge.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of this Easy American Chop Suey Recipe happens because these ingredients come together to create a hearty, flavorful dish that’s deeply satisfying. Take your time choosing fresh veggies and good-quality tomato products—both make a notable difference here.
- Ground beef: I always go for 85% lean because it’s the perfect balance of flavor and fat to keep the dish juicy without too much grease.
- Italian seasoning: This blend adds an herby depth that complements the tomato sauce beautifully.
- Seasoned salt: To layer in extra savory notes without extra effort.
- Garlic powder: Because who doesn’t love a hit of garlic?
- Tomato paste: It thickens the sauce and amps up that rich tomato flavor.
- Onion, green pepper, celery: These veggies add crunch and sweetness—plus they’re classic in American Chop Suey for a reason.
- Fresh garlic cloves: Minced for a punch of freshness that powder just can’t match.
- Worcestershire sauce: A secret ingredient that gives the dish an umami lift.
- Diced tomatoes and tomato sauce: The tomato base that binds everything together.
- Chicken or beef broth: Adds moisture and richness—don’t skip it!
- Elbow macaroni: This is classic; its shape holds the sauce like a dream.
- Cheddar cheese (optional): I like to shred block cheese myself because it melts way better than pre-shredded.
Variations
I love sharing this as a base recipe that’s super easy to tweak. Honestly, it’s fun to get creative! I’ve tried it with all kinds of add-ins and swaps, and each one brings something new to the table.
- Adding Italian sausage: Mixing in some spicy or sweet Italian sausage with the beef adds amazing depth—I do this for a weekend dinner when I have more time.
- Vegetarian swap: Replace the beef with firm tofu or a plant-based crumbles item, and use vegetable broth. I was surprised how flavorful it stayed!
- Extra veggies: Frozen peas, corn, or carrots are great thrown in for quick color and nutrients—you can toss them in with the broth and macaroni.
- Cheesy twist: Stir in cream cheese near the end for creamy richness, or swap cheddar for mozzarella for a gooey finish.
How to Make Easy American Chop Suey Recipe
Step 1: Brown Your Beef Like a Pro
Start by heating a large pot over medium-high heat, then add your ground beef. Break it up with a spatula and cook until it’s browned and no longer pink—this usually takes about 8 minutes. This process is key because a good sear adds big flavor. Once cooked, drain off most of the grease; you want the flavors without excess oiliness.
Step 2: Layer in Seasonings and Veggies
Time to bring in your Italian seasoning, seasoned salt, garlic powder, and tomato paste. Stir them into the beef so everything gets coated. Next, toss in the diced onion, green pepper, and celery and cook for about 4 minutes to soften those veggies. Add your minced garlic and cook one more minute—this gentle cooking melds the flavors beautifully without burning.
Step 3: Build the Sauce and Add Macaroni
Pour in your tomato sauce and stir until it’s fully combined. Then, add Worcestershire sauce, undrained diced tomatoes, and chicken broth. This combo is what makes the sauce so hearty and flavorful. Finally, stir in the uncooked elbow macaroni. Bring the whole pot just to a gentle boil—it’s important not to rush here because you want your pasta to cook evenly in the sauce.
Step 4: Simmer, Stir, and Cook to Perfection
Cover the pot and let it cook for 4 minutes. Then uncover and carefully run a silicone spatula along the bottom to prevent sticking—trust me, this little trick saved me from burned bits more than once! Cover partially and continue simmering gently for another 4 minutes, then stir again. Finish with 2-3 minutes uncovered, testing a noodle for doneness. The pasta keeps soaking up liquid even after you turn off the heat, so don’t overcook it.
Step 5: Add Cheese for that Extra Comfort
If you’re a cheese fan like me, gradually sprinkle in shredded cheddar once the mac and beef are tender and combined. Stir until the cheese melts through for a creamy, melty finish. Remember, block cheese will melt better than packaged pre-shredded stuff, which often contains additives to prevent clumping.
Pro Tips for Making Easy American Chop Suey Recipe
- Don’t Skip Draining Grease: I learned the hard way—too much grease makes the dish soggy and less flavorful, so drain well after browning.
- Use a Silicone Spatula: Running it along the bottom between cooking stages prevents noodles from sticking or burning without scraping too hard.
- Cheese Timing Matters: Adding cheese off the heat helps keep it smoothly melted instead of clumping into little globs.
- Taste-Test Your Pasta: Don’t rely just on the clock—pastas vary, so a quick taste helps avoid overcooking or undercooking.
How to Serve Easy American Chop Suey Recipe
Garnishes
For a fresh pop of color and flavor, I like to sprinkle chopped fresh parsley or basil over the top before serving. Sometimes a dusting of extra cheddar or a few grinds of black pepper does the trick too. It’s simple but makes it feel a little more special at the dinner table.
Side Dishes
This dish is pretty filling on its own, but pairing it with a crisp side salad or some roasted garlic bread brings a lovely balance. I also love steamed green beans or a quick cucumber salad for added crunch and freshness.
Creative Ways to Present
For casual dinner parties, I’ve served this in individual mini cast-iron skillets—everyone loved the cozy vibe! Another trick: layer it with a sprinkling of cheese and broil briefly for a golden crust on top. A fun way to jazz it up without losing the classic feel.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I usually let leftovers cool to room temp before transferring into airtight containers to store in the fridge. They keep wonderfully for about 3-4 days. When I’ve reheated it, adding a splash of broth helps revive the sauce and keeps the pasta from drying out.
Freezing
Freezing is totally doable! I portion the chop suey into freezer-friendly containers and freeze for up to 3 months. Just note the texture of the pasta changes slightly after thawing, so personally, I prefer fresh when possible but it still tastes great.
Reheating
Reheat gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat with a little added broth or water. That slows the drying out and blends everything back into a saucy, comforting meal. Microwave works fine too—just pause halfway to stir for even heating.
FAQs
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Can I make Easy American Chop Suey Recipe without ground beef?
Absolutely! You can swap ground beef for ground turkey, chicken, or even plant-based crumbles to suit dietary preferences. Just adjust cooking times slightly and choose broth accordingly.
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Is there a way to make this recipe gluten-free?
Yes! Use gluten-free pasta instead of elbow macaroni and double-check that your broth and tomato products are gluten-free. The rest of the ingredients are naturally gluten-free.
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Can I prepare Easy American Chop Suey Recipe in a slow cooker or Instant Pot?
Definitely! The slow cooker method involves cooking the beef and combining ingredients except pasta, then adding pasta near the end. The Instant Pot method uses sauté and pressure cooking—both methods are included in the recipe notes for convenience.
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How do I prevent the macaroni from getting mushy?
Keep a close eye on the cooking times and test the pasta frequently. Using uncooked elbow macaroni that cooks in the sauce means it will absorb liquid, so don’t overcook. Stirring to prevent sticking also helps avoid mushiness.
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Can I add more vegetables to this recipe?
Absolutely! Frozen or fresh vegetables like carrots, peas, or corn work great. Add frozen veggies with the broth and macaroni so they cook through evenly.
Final Thoughts
I absolutely love how this Easy American Chop Suey Recipe brings together simple ingredients to create something that feels like home every single time. It’s one of those meals that’s forgiving, customizable, and universally satisfying—perfect whether you’re feeding a hungry family or meal-prepping for busy days ahead. Give it a try, and I bet it’ll quickly become one of those recipes you keep coming back to and sharing with friends. Happy cooking!
Print
Easy American Chop Suey Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Description
A hearty and comforting American classic, American Chop Suey is a one-pot pasta dish featuring ground beef, elbow macaroni, and a savory tomato-based sauce with a medley of vegetables and Italian seasonings. Simple to prepare on the stovetop, in a crock pot, or an Instant Pot, this family-friendly meal is perfect for weeknight dinners and can be customized with cheese or additional veggies.
Ingredients
Meat and Seasonings
- 1.5 lbs. ground beef, 85% lean
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 2 teaspoons seasoned salt
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 3 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
Vegetables
- 1 cup diced onion
- 1 cup diced green pepper
- 1 stick celery, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 14.5 oz. diced tomatoes, undrained
Liquids and Pasta
- 16 oz. tomato sauce
- 2 ½ cups chicken broth (or beef broth)
- 2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni
Optional
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Prepare the Cheese (Optional): If using cheese, shred it from a block and set aside at room temperature to help it melt smoothly when added later.
- Brown the Ground Beef: In a large pot over medium-high heat, cook and crumble the ground beef until fully browned, about 8 minutes. Drain excess grease to keep the dish from becoming greasy.
- Add Seasonings and Tomato Paste: Stir in the Italian seasoning, seasoned salt, garlic powder, and tomato paste to the beef mixture to build rich flavor.
- Sauté the Vegetables: Add diced onions, green peppers, and celery to the pot. Cook for 4 minutes to soften the vegetables. Then add minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Add Tomatoes and Broth: Stir in the tomato sauce until combined, then add Worcestershire sauce, undrained diced tomatoes, and chicken broth. Mix well to combine all the flavors.
- Add Macaroni and Bring to Boil: Stir in the uncooked elbow macaroni. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil.
- Simmer Covered: Cover the pot and let it cook for 4 minutes. Remove the cover, gently scrape the bottom with a silicone spatula to prevent sticking, then cover partially and boil gently for another 4 minutes. Scrape the bottom again.
- Finish Cooking Pasta: Continue cooking uncovered for 2-3 more minutes or until the macaroni is tender. The pasta will absorb remaining liquid after the heat is off, so do a taste test to avoid overcooking.
- Add Cheese and Serve: If desired, gradually stir in the shredded cheddar cheese until melted and combined. Serve hot and enjoy your classic American Chop Suey!
Notes
- For a thicker sauce, mix 1 tablespoon flour into the ground beef during browning and cook for 1 minute to eliminate raw flour taste.
- Adding a small dollop of softened cream cheese at the end creates a creamy texture and richer flavor.
- Enhance the dish with a dash of hot sauce for extra kick.
- Try combining ground beef with Italian sausage for added depth of flavor.
- Feel free to include frozen vegetables like carrots, peas, corn, or jalapeño peppers for variety and nutrition.
- Crock Pot Method: Use half the broth initially, brown beef separately, then combine all except macaroni and cheese in the slow cooker. Cook on high 2-3 hours or low 4-5 hours. Add pasta and cheese last, cooking 30-45 minutes while monitoring to avoid mushy pasta.
- Instant Pot Method: Use half the broth, sauté beef until browned, add seasonings, vegetables, tomato sauce, Worcestershire, tomatoes, and broth, plus macaroni. Pressure cook on high for 5 minutes, quick release, then stir in remaining broth and cheese. Pasta will thicken as it stands.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 850mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0.3g
- Carbohydrates: 43g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 26g
- Cholesterol: 65mg
