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
Scale
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
