Description
American Chop Suey is a classic New England comfort food featuring tender elbow macaroni combined with savory ground beef and a flavorful tomato sauce, enhanced with aromatic onions, garlic, and green bell peppers. This hearty and easy-to-make dish delivers satisfying homestyle flavors perfect for a weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Pasta
- 2 cups elbow macaroni
Meat and Vegetables
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup green bell pepper, chopped
Sauce and Seasonings
- 2 cups tomato sauce
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook the macaroni: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the elbow macaroni and cook according to the package instructions until al dente, typically about 7-8 minutes. Drain the pasta thoroughly and set it aside to prevent overcooking.
- Brown the ground beef: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add the ground beef. Cook it thoroughly until browned and no longer pink, breaking it apart with a spoon. Drain excess fat if necessary to reduce greasiness.
- Sauté the vegetables: To the browned beef in the skillet, add chopped onion, minced garlic, and green bell pepper. Cook the mixture while stirring occasionally for about 5 minutes or until the vegetables are softened and fragrant, taking care to not burn the garlic.
- Add the tomato sauce and simmer: Pour in 2 cups of tomato sauce over the beef and vegetable mixture. Stir to combine everything evenly. Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer gently for about 10 minutes to develop flavors and thicken slightly.
- Combine pasta and sauce: Add the drained cooked macaroni to the skillet with the simmered sauce. Stir thoroughly to coat all the pasta in the rich tomato and beef mixture, ensuring an even distribution of ingredients.
- Season and serve: Taste the dish and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper according to your preference. Serve the American Chop Suey hot, optionally topped with shredded cheese for added richness.
Notes
- American Chop Suey is sometimes called “goulash” in various parts of the United States, though the dishes differ regionally.
- For extra richness and flavor, sprinkle shredded cheese over the top just before serving.
- You can add other vegetables like mushrooms or diced tomatoes for variation.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
