Hearty American Chop Suey Recipe is comfort food at its best—a satisfying blend of tender pasta, flavorful meat, and a rich tomato sauce that hits the spot every single time. If you’re looking for a dish that feels like a warm hug after a long day, you’re in the right place.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
This Hearty American Chop Suey Recipe is one of those dishes I keep coming back to because it’s just so reliably delicious and easy to pull together. It’s perfect for busy weeknights but also wonderful when you want something cozy and homemade without fuss.
- Simple ingredients: You probably already have everything you need in your pantry and fridge, making it a no-stress meal.
- One-pot magic: This dish cooks up entirely in one pot, saving you time on cleanup.
- Flexible and customizable: Whether you want to add veggies or spice it up, this recipe welcomes your creativity.
- Family-friendly comfort: It’s a crowd-pleaser that fills everyone up with wholesome, hearty goodness.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Each ingredient in the Hearty American Chop Suey Recipe plays a crucial role. Ground beef brings protein and richness, while the tomato sauces create a tangy and robust base. The elbow macaroni soaks up all those delicious flavors, and the mix of vegetables adds texture and freshness.
- Ground beef: I like 85% lean for the perfect balance of flavor and fat without being greasy.
- Italian seasoning: Adds that classic herby flavor that ties the whole dish together.
- Seasoned salt and garlic powder: These boost the savory notes and make every bite pop.
- Tomato paste: Intensifies the tomato flavor and thickens the sauce.
- Onion, green pepper, celery: The trio adds crunch and freshness which lighten the hearty sauce.
- Garlic: For that unforgettable aromatic kick.
- Worcestershire sauce: It deepens the savory, umami profile.
- Diced tomatoes (undrained) & tomato sauce: Create a rich, saucy consistency that clings to the pasta.
- Chicken broth: Keeps things moist and flavorful, and helps cook the pasta right in the sauce.
- Elbow macaroni: Perfectly sized pasta for soaking up sauce and creating that nostalgic texture.
- Cheddar cheese (optional): For a creamy, melty finish that makes it extra comforting.
Make It Your Way
I’ve played around with this Hearty American Chop Suey Recipe a lot, and it’s easy to tailor it exactly how you like. Personally, I love adding a little heat or sneaking in some extra veggies to make it my own.
- Variation: I sometimes swap half the ground beef for Italian sausage to add a spicy, rich layer of flavor—trust me, it’s a game changer!
- Vegetarian twist: Try replacing meat with sautéed mushrooms and lentils for an earthy, protein-packed version.
- Spice it up: A dash of hot sauce or a pinch of red pepper flakes livens up the classic flavors without overwhelming them.
- Seasonal veggies: Frozen peas or corn tossed in add sweetness and color, making this dish even more inviting.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Hearty American Chop Suey Recipe
Step 1: Brown the Beef with Seasonings
Start by heating a large pot over medium-high heat and add the ground beef. Break it apart with a spoon and cook until it’s nicely browned—about 8 minutes. Once cooked through, drain any excess grease to keep the dish from being too oily. Then stir in your Italian seasoning, seasoned salt, garlic powder, and tomato paste. Cooking these together for a minute or two really builds a deep base flavor. Watch closely so the tomato paste doesn’t burn!
Step 2: Sauté the Veggies
Next, toss in your diced onion, green pepper, and celery to the beef mixture. Cook these for about 4 minutes until the onions soften and the peppers start to get tender but still hold their shape. Add the minced garlic and cook just another minute until fragrant—don’t rush or the garlic could burn and turn bitter.
Step 3: Stir In the Sauces and Broth
Pour in the tomato sauce and stir everything together until combined. Then add the Worcestershire sauce, undrained diced tomatoes, and chicken broth. These liquids come together to create a lovely saucy base where that macaroni will cook and soak up all the flavors.
Step 4: Add the Macaroni and Simmer
Now, stir in the uncooked elbow macaroni. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then cover and let it cook for 4 minutes. Uncover and use a silicone spatula to gently lift and stir any pasta stuck to the bottom. Cover partially and simmer another 4 minutes, then repeat the spatula step. Finally, cook for an additional 2–3 minutes until the pasta is just tender. Taste to make sure it’s done but still al dente—don’t overcook or it gets mushy.
Step 5: Add Cheese and Serve
If you’re adding cheddar cheese, I recommend grating it fresh from a block and letting it warm up to room temperature first. Gradually sprinkle the cheese into the pot and stir gently so it melts smoothly into the sauce without clumping. Serve this up hot and watch how quickly it disappears!
Top Tip
Over the years of making this Hearty American Chop Suey Recipe, I’ve learned a few tricks that really elevate it. These may seem small, but they make a big difference in flavor and texture.
- Use fresh shredded cheese: Packaged pre-shredded cheese has additives that prevent it from melting nicely, so I always shred mine fresh.
- Don’t skip stirring the pasta: Scraping the pot bottom twice during cooking keeps noodles from sticking and burning.
- Brown meat fully first: This helps build deep flavor and renders out enough fat to keep the sauce from tasting greasy.
- Adjust broth as you go: If the sauce seems too thick, add a splash more broth for perfect consistency without watering it down.
How to Serve Hearty American Chop Suey Recipe
Garnishes
I usually keep toppings simple—just a sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley or basil adds a pop of color and a freshness that cuts through the richness. Sometimes I add a grating of Parmesan for an extra savory touch.
Side Dishes
Hearty American Chop Suey pairs beautifully with a crisp green salad or some roasted seasonal veggies. Garlic bread or warm dinner rolls are perfect for sopping up any leftover sauce—never let a drop go to waste!
Creative Ways to Present
For family dinners or potlucks, I like to bake this in a casserole dish topped with extra cheese and breadcrumbs for a bubbly crust. Another fun idea is serving it in hollowed-out bell peppers for a festive twist that’s great for special occasions.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftovers in airtight containers in the fridge and they keep well for up to 3 days. The flavors actually deepen overnight, making it even better the next day. Just give it a good stir before reheating since the pasta tends to soak up sauce as it chills.
Freezing
This dish freezes beautifully! I portion it out into freezer-safe containers and freeze for up to 3 months. When ready, thaw in the fridge overnight and reheat gently on the stovetop or in a microwave.
Reheating
To reheat, warm gently on the stovetop over low heat with a splash of broth or water to loosen the sauce, stirring frequently. This helps keep the pasta from drying out and keeps that creamy, comforting texture you love.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Absolutely! Brown the beef first, then combine all ingredients except pasta and cheese in the slow cooker. Add pasta and cheese in the last 30-45 minutes to prevent mushiness.
Stir the pasta into the sauce well before cooking, cover the pot, and stir a couple of times during cooking, especially scraping the bottom so nothing sticks or burns.
Definitely! Elbow macaroni is traditional, but small pasta shapes like shells or rotini also work well because they hold the sauce nicely.
Yes! Freeze in portioned containers, and thaw in the fridge. Reheat gently with a bit of extra broth to keep it moist and flavorful.
Final Thoughts
This Hearty American Chop Suey Recipe is a staple that has brought comfort to my table many times over the years. It’s the kind of meal that feels like home in every bite—reliable, filling, and endlessly adaptable. I truly hope you’ll enjoy making it as much as I do. So get your pot out, grab your ingredients, and let this classic dish warm up your kitchen and your heart!
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Delicious Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Description
American Chop Suey is a hearty and comforting one-pot pasta dish featuring ground beef, vegetables, tomato sauce, and elbow macaroni. This classic American comfort food is savory, flavorful, and easy to prepare, making it a perfect family dinner.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs. ground beef, 85% lean
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 2 teaspoons seasoned salt
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 3 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 cup diced onion
- 1 cup diced green pepper
- 1 stick celery, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 14.5 oz. diced tomatoes, undrained
- 16 oz. tomato sauce
- 2 ½ cups chicken broth, or beef broth
- 2 cups elbow macaroni, uncooked
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, optional
Instructions
- Cook Ground Beef: Heat a large pot over medium-high heat and cook the ground beef until browned and cooked through, about 8 minutes. Drain the grease thoroughly.
- Add Seasonings and Tomato Paste: Stir in Italian seasoning, seasoned salt, garlic powder, and tomato paste to the cooked beef.
- Sauté Vegetables: Add diced onion, green pepper, and celery to the pot. Cook for 4 minutes until softened. Then add minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute.
- Add Tomato Sauces: Pour in the tomato sauce and stir to combine evenly with the meat and vegetables.
- Add Worcestershire and Tomatoes: Stir in Worcestershire sauce, undrained diced tomatoes, and chicken broth.
- Add Macaroni and Boil: Add uncooked elbow macaroni and stir well. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil.
- Cover and Simmer: Cover the pot and cook for 4 minutes. Then uncover and use a silicone spatula to gently lift any pasta or sauce that may have settled to the bottom.
- Partial Cover and Continue Cooking: Partially cover the pot and boil gently for another 4 minutes. Again, stir along the bottom gently with the spatula.
- Final Cooking: Continue heating for 2 to 3 more minutes until the macaroni is fully cooked. Taste a noodle to check doneness. Turn off the heat; the pasta will absorb remaining liquid.
- Add Cheese and Serve: If desired, gradually sprinkle in shredded cheddar cheese, stirring to melt and combine. Serve hot and enjoy your American Chop Suey!
Notes
- For a thicker sauce, mix 1 tablespoon of flour into the ground beef after browning and cook for 1 minute.
- Stir in a dab of softened cream cheese at the end for a creamy texture.
- Add a dash of hot sauce to give the dish a zesty kick.
- Combine ground beef with Italian sausage for deeper flavor complexity.
- Feel free to add frozen vegetables like carrots, peas, corn, or jalapenos for extra nutrition and color.
- If using the slow cooker, reduce broth by half initially, then add remaining broth as needed.
- Use freshly shredded cheese rather than packaged shredded cheese for better melting.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 750 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg
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