Traditional American Chop Suey

🕒 Prep: 10 min
🔥 Cook: 30 min
🍽 Serves: 6
★★★★★
1 Review

This Traditional American Chop Suey is a comforting, one-pot meal that brings together hearty ingredients for a quick weeknight dinner. It’s a nostalgic dish that’s as satisfying as it is simple to make, perfect for when you want a cozy, no-fuss meal.

Traditional American Chop Suey

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Ingredients for Traditional American Chop Suey

Ingredients for Traditional American Chop Suey

The backbone of this dish is the hearty ground beef, which brings protein and flavor as it browns. A large onion and bell pepper add sweetness and texture, while garlic infuses the mix with its aromatic depth. The combination of tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, and tomato paste creates a rich, tangy base, complemented by Italian seasoning for an herbaceous kick. A dash of salt and pepper heightens all the flavors. Elbow macaroni is the pasta of choice, providing the perfect chewy bite. Finally, shredded cheddar cheese melts over the top, adding a creamy finish.

Why This Traditional American Chop Suey Works

As the onion, bell pepper, and garlic cook in the oil, they soften and lose their sharp bite. They turn a little sweet and mellow, so they mix better with the beef and tomatoes later. When the ground beef browns, it firms up and drops some fat into the pot. That fat coats the vegetables and tomato sauce, so everything blends together instead of tasting separate.

After the tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, and tomato paste go in, the pot sits and simmers. During this time, the tomato sauce thickens a bit and the beef soaks in the tomato juices. The diced tomatoes soften and break down, so the sauce feels smoother and clings better.

In a separate pot, the macaroni cooks until it is just tender. Once it goes into the thickened beef and tomato mixture, the pasta soaks up some of the sauce instead of turning watery. The cheddar on top melts over the hot pasta and meat, forming a soft, cheesy layer that holds everything together in each spoonful.

Traditional American Chop Suey Tips & Tricks

  • Try using ground turkey for a leaner version without sacrificing flavor.
  • If you like a little heat, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce.
  • Make sure to drain the macaroni well to avoid watering down the sauce.

Mistakes To Avoid

Letting the beef simmer in the sauce for much less than 20 minutes leaves the sauce watery and sharp, and the meat doesn’t soak up much liquid. The result is a loose, soupy mix where the macaroni doesn’t really hold onto the sauce and the dish separates on the plate.

Cooking the macaroni until it’s very soft instead of just tender makes it fall apart once it’s stirred into the hot sauce. The elbows split and turn mushy, and the whole pot can turn into a thick, pasty mass instead of a chunky pasta dish.

Adding the cheese too early and letting it sit over heat for a long time causes it to melt into the sauce and then tighten up. Instead of a soft, stretchy topping, the cheese can turn oily and stringy, with little greasy pools on top of the chop suey.

Using high heat when browning the beef, onion, and pepper can burn the garlic and darken the bottom of the pot before the meat is cooked through. This leaves hard, bitter bits in the mix and forces extra liquid to be added later to scrape the pot, which thins the sauce too much.

Equipment Used:

Large pot, saucepan, cooking spoon

Ingredients

  1. 1 lb ground beef
  2. 1 large onion, diced
  3. 1 bell pepper, diced
  4. 2 cloves garlic, minced
  5. 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
  6. 1 can (15 oz) diced tomatoes
  7. 2 tbsp tomato paste
  8. 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  9. Salt and pepper to taste
  10. 1 lb elbow macaroni
  11. 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  12. 2 tbsp olive oil

Step-by-step Instructions

  1. 1. In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat.
  2. 2. Add diced onion, bell pepper, and minced garlic. Sauté until the onion is translucent.
  3. 3. Add ground beef, cooking until browned and crumbled.
  4. 4. Stir in tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, and Italian seasoning. Season with salt and pepper.
  5. 5. Reduce heat and let simmer for about 20 minutes.
  6. 6. In a separate pot, cook macaroni according to package instructions; drain.
  7. 7. Add cooked macaroni to the beef and sauce mixture, stir to combine.
  8. 8. Top with shredded cheddar cheese before serving.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this dish ahead of time?
Yes, it’s great for meal prep! Store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days.
Can I freeze American Chop Suey?
Absolutely. Freeze it in individual portions for up to three months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
What can I use instead of cheddar cheese?
Feel free to substitute with mozzarella or a blend of your favorite cheeses for a different flavor profile.

Serving Ideas for Traditional American Chop Suey

This American Chop Suey pairs wonderfully with a crisp green salad and a slice of crusty garlic bread to soak up the sauce. A glass of light red wine or even a cold beer complements the rich flavors perfectly.

Ratings and Comments

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This recipe is for informational purposes only. Always follow proper food safety practices, cook foods to safe internal temperatures, and store leftovers appropriately. Results may vary.