Description
American Chop Suey is a comforting and hearty one-pot American classic featuring ground beef, vegetables, tomatoes, and elbow macaroni simmered together in a flavorful tomato sauce. This easy stovetop dish is perfect for family dinners, offering a rich combination of savory seasonings and optional melted cheddar cheese for added creaminess.
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 the Cheese: If using cheese, shred it from a block beforehand and set aside to come to room temperature for better melting. Avoid packaged shredded cheese as it contains cellulose, which hinders melting.
- Brown the Ground Beef: In a large pot over medium-high heat, cook and crumble the ground beef until browned and fully cooked, about 8 minutes. Drain excess grease from the pot.
- Add Seasonings and Tomato Paste: Stir in Italian seasoning, seasoned salt, garlic powder, and tomato paste with the browned beef, mixing well to combine flavors.
- Sauté Vegetables: Add diced onion, green pepper, and celery to the pot. Cook and stir for 4 minutes until vegetables soften. Then add minced garlic and sauté for an additional 1 minute.
- Add Tomato Sauce: Pour in the tomato sauce and stir until fully incorporated with the meat and vegetables.
- Combine Remaining Liquids and Tomatoes: Add Worcestershire sauce, undrained diced tomatoes, and chicken broth to the pot. Stir to blend all ingredients.
- Incorporate Macaroni and Bring to Boil: Add the uncooked elbow macaroni and stir to combine. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil.
- Simmer Covered: Cover the pot completely and let cook for 4 minutes. Uncover and use a silicone spatula to gently lift and stir any pasta or sauce stuck to the bottom.
- Partial Cover Simmer: Cover the pot partially and simmer gently for another 4 minutes. Again, lift and stir along the bottom to prevent sticking.
- Finish Cooking Pasta: Continue to cook uncovered for an additional 2-3 minutes or until macaroni is tender but not mushy. Test a noodle for doneness. Once ready, turn off the heat. The pasta will absorb remaining liquid as it rests.
- Add Cheese (Optional): Gradually sprinkle in the shredded cheddar cheese if desired, stirring gently until melted and combined.
- Serve: Spoon the American Chop Suey into bowls and enjoy the warm, hearty dish.
Notes
- For a thicker sauce, mix 1 tablespoon of flour into the ground beef and cook for 1 extra minute before adding vegetables.
- Stir in a small amount of softened cream cheese at the end for a creamy texture.
- Add a dash of hot sauce for an extra kick of flavor.
- Mixing ground beef with Italian sausage enhances the depth of flavor.
- You can incorporate frozen vegetables such as carrots, peas, corn, or jalapenos for added nutrition and texture.
- Crock Pot Method: Use half the broth initially. Brown ground beef separately, then combine all ingredients except macaroni and cheese in the crock pot. Cook on high for 2-3 hours or low for 4-5 hours. Add macaroni and cheese in the last 30-45 minutes, watching carefully to avoid overcooking pasta.
- Instant Pot Method: Use half the broth initially. Sauté ground beef and seasonings in the Instant Pot, then add remaining ingredients including macaroni. Pressure cook on high for 5 minutes. Use quick release, add remaining broth if needed, and stir in cheese.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 750 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 39 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 26 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg
