Description
American Chop Suey is a hearty and comforting one-pot meal featuring ground beef, elbow macaroni, and a rich tomato sauce blend with vegetables and classic seasonings. This easy-to-make dish is packed with flavor and perfect for a family dinner.
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
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 1 cup diced onion
- 1 cup diced green pepper
- 1 stick celery (diced)
- 4 cloves garlic (minced)
Liquids and Sauces
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 14.5 oz. diced tomatoes (undrained)
- 16 oz. tomato sauce
- 2 ½ cups chicken broth (or beef broth)
Pasta and Cheese
- 2 cups elbow macaroni (uncooked)
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare Cheese (optional): If using cheese, shred it from a block and set it aside at room temperature to help it melt better; avoid pre-shredded cheese as it contains additives that prevent smooth melting.
- Brown the Ground Beef: In a large pot, cook and crumble the ground beef over medium-high heat for about 8 minutes until browned and fully cooked. Drain any excess grease from the pot.
- Add Seasonings and Tomato Paste: Stir in the Italian seasoning, seasoned salt, garlic powder, and tomato paste, mixing thoroughly to coat the beef and develop flavor.
- Sauté Vegetables: Add diced onions, green peppers, and celery to the pot and cook for 4 minutes until they begin to soften. Then add minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute until fragrant.
- Add Tomato Sauce and Combine: Pour in the tomato sauce and stir until all ingredients are well combined.
- Add Worcestershire Sauce, Tomatoes, and Broth: Stir in Worcestershire sauce, undrained diced tomatoes, and chicken broth, mixing everything evenly.
- Add Uncooked Macaroni: Add the uncooked elbow macaroni to the pot and stir it into the sauce mixture.
- Bring to Boil and Cook Covered: Bring the contents to a gentle boil, then cover the pot and let it cook for 4 minutes.
- Stir and Continue Cooking: Uncover, run a silicone spatula along the bottom to prevent sticking, partially cover, and continue to boil gently for another 4 minutes.
- Final Cooking Stage: Run the spatula along the bottom again, then cook uncovered for 2-3 more minutes or until the macaroni is tender. Taste a noodle to check doneness. Turn off heat to allow pasta to absorb remaining liquid.
- Add Cheese (optional) and Serve: Gradually sprinkle in shredded cheddar cheese if desired, stirring gently to combine and melt. Serve hot and enjoy your comforting American Chop Suey.
Notes
- This classic American Chop Suey recipe is easy to prepare in one pot using simple ingredients.
- The flavors blend together perfectly to create a traditional comfort food loved by families.
- Shred cheese from a block instead of using pre-shredded cheese for better melting.
- You can substitute beef broth for chicken broth if preferred.
- Make sure to stir along the bottom during cooking to prevent the macaroni from sticking and burning.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 471 kcal
- Sugar: 9 g
- Sodium: 1990 mg
- Fat: 13 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0.4 g
- Carbohydrates: 49 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 91 mg
