Description
American Chop Suey is a comforting and easy-to-make classic American pasta dish featuring tender elbow macaroni, savory ground beef, a rich tomato sauce, and sautéed vegetables. Perfect for busy weeknights, it combines simple pantry staples into a warm, flavorful meal loved by families for generations.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins
- 1 pound ground beef
Pasta
- 8 ounces elbow macaroni
Vegetables
- 1 cup diced onions
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
Tomato Components
- 15 ounces canned tomato sauce
- 14.5 ounces diced tomatoes (canned)
Seasonings and Oils
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- 1 to 2 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, then add the elbow macaroni. Cook for about 7 to 8 minutes until al dente. Drain and set aside while you prepare the sauce.
- Sauté the Vegetables: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add diced onions, green bell pepper, and minced garlic. Cook until softened and fragrant, about 5 minutes.
- Brown the Ground Beef: Add the ground beef to the skillet with the sautéed vegetables. Break it up with a spatula and cook until browned and fully cooked through, about 6 to 8 minutes. Drain excess fat to prevent greasiness.
- Add Tomatoes and Seasonings: Pour in the canned tomato sauce and diced tomatoes, stirring to combine. Sprinkle in Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Let everything simmer on low heat for 10 minutes to merge flavors deeply.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the drained pasta to the skillet. Mix thoroughly to coat all the noodles in the rich tomato sauce. Heat through for another couple of minutes to meld the flavors perfectly.
- Serve and Enjoy: Your easy American Chop Suey is ready! Plate it up and consider topping with fresh herbs or a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese for extra flair and flavor enhancement.
Notes
- Don’t overcook the pasta: Keep it slightly firm so it holds up well in the sauce.
- Use fresh garlic: It will add far more vibrant flavor than pre-minced options.
- Simmer the sauce gently: Low and slow focused cooking enhances the richness and depth.
- Drain excess fat after browning beef to keep the dish from being greasy.
- Adjust seasoning last: Taste at the end to tweak salt and pepper perfectly.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg
Keywords: American Chop Suey, ground beef pasta, easy weeknight dinner, comfort food, tomato pasta dish
