Description
American Chop Suey is a hearty and comforting one-pot dish featuring ground beef, elbow macaroni, and a rich tomato sauce seasoned with Italian herbs and spices. This classic American meal combines savory flavors with cheesy goodness, perfect for a family dinner that comes together in just 45 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 lbs (900g) ground beef (90/10)
- 1 medium yellow onion (chopped)
- 4 cloves garlic (minced)
- 3 cups (730ml) beef broth
- 29oz (820g) can tomato sauce
- 28oz (790g) can diced tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 bay leaves
- 2.5 cups (375g) uncooked elbow macaroni noodles
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- Parsley (for garnish)
Instructions
- Brown the Beef: In a dutch oven over medium-high heat, heat the olive oil and add the ground beef. Cook until no pink remains, breaking it up as it browns. Once cooked, drain excess grease and transfer the beef to a bowl, setting it aside.
- Sauté Onions and Garlic: Return the dutch oven to the heat, add the chopped onions, and cook, stirring occasionally, for about 3 minutes until translucent. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 2 minutes, stirring to prevent burning and releasing the aroma.
- Simmer the Sauce: Add the cooked ground beef back into the dutch oven along with beef broth, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, Worcestershire sauce, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, paprika, salt, pepper, and bay leaves. Stir well to combine. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and let it simmer for 10 minutes to meld the flavors.
- Cook the Macaroni: Stir the uncooked elbow macaroni into the sauce. Continue simmering on low heat with the lid on for another 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is tender but still al dente and the sauce has thickened.
- Finish and Serve: Remove the pot from heat and discard the bay leaves. Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese until melted and creamy. Serve the American Chop Suey hot, garnished with fresh chopped parsley for added color and flavor.
Notes
- Ensure to stir occasionally when adding the macaroni to prevent it from sticking to the bottom.
- You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for a lighter version.
- The dish can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated well.
- For a spicier version, add crushed red pepper flakes or hot sauce to taste.
- Using a dutch oven or heavy pot helps evenly distribute heat and prevent burning.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 426 kcal
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 1057 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 14 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 26 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg
