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American Chop Suey Recipe

If you’re looking for a comforting and hearty meal, this American Chop Suey recipe is a winner.

It’s a classic dish that’s simple to prepare and always satisfying.

I love how the flavors blend together, creating a savory and delicious experience.

One important tip: don’t rush the simmering process; it allows the flavors to fully develop.

This recipe is perfect for busy weeknights and makes great leftovers.

The combination of ground beef, tomatoes, and pasta is both familiar and comforting.

I recommend using fresh garlic for a more robust flavor.

This dish is a family favorite and a breeze to make.

How to Make American Chop Suey

american chop suey recipe

Ingredients List

To make American Chop Suey, a classic comfort dish with rich flavors, gather the following ingredients:

  • 1 pound lean ground beef or ground turkey
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 cup chopped onion
  • 1 cup chopped green bell pepper
  • 1 cup chopped celery (optional)
  • 2 cloves minced garlic
  • 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/2 tablespoon Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 8 ounces elbow macaroni noodles

Step-by-step process

Step 1

Cook the elbow macaroni noodles according to the package instructions.

Once cooked, drain and set aside.

Step 2

Heat the olive oil over medium heat in a large frying pan or Dutch oven.

Add the ground beef or ground turkey and cook until it’s browned and no longer pink, breaking it up into small pieces as it cooks.

Drain any excess grease if necessary.

Step 3

To the same pan with the seasoned ground beef, add the chopped onion, green bell pepper, and celery (if using).

Cook for about 4-5 minutes or until the vegetables are softened.

Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute.

Step 4

Mix in the tomato sauce, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, Italian seasoning, black pepper, and salt.

Let the mixture simmer for a few minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.

Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed.

Step 5

Add the cooked elbow macaroni noodles to the pan with the meat and sauce.

Stir everything together until the noodles are evenly coated in the sauce.

Serve your American Chop Suey while it’s hot, and enjoy this delicious comfort dish!

Side Dishes for American Chop Suey

American Chop Suey is a comforting pasta dish that combines ground beef, tomato, onion, green pepper, macaroni, and spices.

Finding the perfect side dish can truly enhance and complete your weeknight dinner experience.

Here are some side dishes that complement the flavors of American Chop Suey:

Roasted Veggies

Roasted vegetables are an excellent and healthy side dish for this pasta meal.

You can choose your favorite vegetables, such as mushrooms, bell peppers, broccoli, and cauliflower.

Toss them in a bit of olive oil, salt, and pepper, then roast them in the oven until tender and slightly browned.

The veggies’ natural sweetness and smoky flavor will balance out the rich and savory flavors of American Chop Suey.

Garlic Bread

Garlic bread is a classic side dish for pasta, and it works wonderfully alongside American Chop Suey.

A crusty loaf of French or Italian bread, buttered and seasoned with garlic and a sprinkle of parsley, then toasted until golden, makes for a satisfying and delicious accompaniment.

The crispy and flavorful bread provides a great texture contrast and helps soak up any extra sauce from your main dish.

Side Salad

A fresh, crisp side salad is the perfect light and refreshing companion to the heartiness of American Chop Suey.

Choose a variety of greens, like lettuce, spinach, or arugula, and add a mix of colorful vegetables such as tomatoes, cucumbers, carrots, and red onions.

Top the salad with a light vinaigrette or Italian dressing, and you’ve got a palate-cleansing side that refreshes and prepares you for more delicious pasta.

Ingredient Substitutes

Ground Pork

Ground pork is a viable alternative if you prefer not to use ground beef in your American Chop Suey recipe.

It provides a similar texture and is relatively interchangeable with ground beef.

Choose ground pork with a lower fat content to make the dish leaner.

Vegetable Oil, Canola Oil, or Avocado Oil

Olive oil is often used in American Chop Suey recipes for sautéing the vegetables and browning the meat.

If you need an alternative, consider using other oils with a high smoke point, such as vegetable oil, canola oil, or avocado oil.

You can easily replace equal amounts of olive oil with any of these oils, maintaining a suitable temperature for sautéing the ingredients without burning them.

How to Store American Chop Suey

Storing American Chop Suey is relatively simple and requires a few essential steps to ensure it remains fresh and delicious.

Refrigerator

To store your American Chop Suey, you should first allow it to cool to room temperature.

It’s essential not to let it sit out for too long, as bacteria can build up if it’s left unrefrigerated for extended periods.

Once cooled, placing the dish in an airtight container is crucial to maintaining its quality.

Airtight containers reduce the risk of exposing the food to harmful bacteria and help keep it moisture-free.

If you are only storing the leftovers for a short time, an airtight container can be stored in the refrigerator.

Refrigeration is ideal for preserving the dish for up to 3-4 days.

Make sure to store the container in a safe spot in the refrigerator, away from raw or potentially contaminated products.

Freezer

On the other hand, if you plan to store American Chop Suey for a more extended period, you can place your airtight container in the freezer.

Properly stored, it can last up to 2-3 months in the freezer without compromising its taste or texture.

When you’re ready to enjoy the dish again, let it thaw in the refrigerator before reheating and serving.

In refrigeration and freezing scenarios, using a safe container made of glass or food-grade plastic is essential to ensure safe and proper storage.

By following these storage guidelines, you can enjoy your American Chop Suey at its best, whether freshly made or as leftovers the following day.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Here are the most common mistakes to avoid when preparing American Chop Suey:

Overcooking the ingredients

Make sure not to overcook your ingredients.

Cook the ground beef, onions, and peppers on medium-high heat until they’re brown and tender, but don’t let them burn.

Remember to stir frequently with a wooden spoon to prevent sticking and even cooking.

Not seasoning properly

The seasoning is an essential part of any recipe, and American Chop Suey is no exception.

Don’t forget to add enough salt, black pepper, and other spices to your dish.

Start with a teaspoon of salt and a teaspoon of black pepper, then taste and adjust as needed.

Using too much or too little water

Adding the correct amount of water to the sauce is important for achieving the desired consistency.

Usually, a cup of water should be enough.

If the sauce is too thick, you can add a bit more water; if it’s too thin, you can simmer it on medium heat to reduce the liquid.

Boiling pasta incorrectly

Cooking pasta is an integral part of American Chop Suey, so make sure to do it right.

Always use a large pot of water with enough space for the pasta to cook evenly.

Add a generous amount of salt to the boiling water before adding the pasta.

Stir occasionally to keep it from sticking together.

Drain the pasta when it’s cooked al dente, but make sure to reserve some of the pasta water to use in the sauce if needed.

Cooling pasta improperly

After draining the cooked pasta, don’t rinse it with cold water.

Rinsing pasta with cold water removes the starch that helps the sauce cling to the noodles.

If you need to cool the pasta down before adding it to the sauce, simply toss it with a little oil to prevent it from sticking together.

american chop suey recipe

American Chop Suey Recipe

This delightful dish, American Goulash, features a medley of ground beef, tomatoes, macaroni, and rich seasonings to create a savory and satisfying meal.
As you explore this recipe, you'll discover that it's not only flavorful but also relatively simple to make.
5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 4
Equipment
  • 1 Large frying pan
Ingredients
  
  • 1 pound lean ground beef or ground turkey
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 cup chopped onion
  • 1 cup chopped green bell pepper
  • 1 cup chopped celery optional
  • 2 cloves minced garlic
  • 1 can 15 oz tomato sauce
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/2 tablespoon Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 8 ounces elbow macaroni noodles
Instructions
 
  • Cook the elbow macaroni noodles according to the package instructions.
    Once cooked, drain and set aside.
  • Heat the olive oil over medium heat in a large frying pan or Dutch oven.
    Add the ground beef or ground turkey and cook until it's browned and no longer pink, breaking it up into small pieces as it cooks.
    Drain any excess grease if necessary.
  • To the same pan with the seasoned ground beef, add the chopped onion, green bell pepper, and celery (if using).
    Cook for about 4-5 minutes or until the vegetables are softened.
    Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute.
  • Mix in the tomato sauce, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, Italian seasoning, black pepper, and salt.
    Let the mixture simmer for a few minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.
    Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed.
  • Add the cooked elbow macaroni noodles to the pan with the meat and sauce.
    Stir everything together until the noodles are evenly coated in the sauce.
    Serve your American Chop Suey while it's hot, and enjoy this delicious comfort dish!

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