If you’re looking for a comforting, hearty dish that feels like a warm hug on a plate, this Easy American Chop Suey Recipe is exactly what you need. I absolutely love how this classic gets cheesy, saucy, and packed with flavor without any fuss. Whether you’re cooking for your family or just craving some good old-fashioned comfort food, stick with me — because this recipe is fan-freaking-tastic and surprisingly simple to pull off.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Comfort Food Classic: It’s a nostalgic dish that’s perfect for cozy dinners and always hits the spot.
- Simple Ingredients: Most of what you need is probably already in your pantry and fridge.
- One-Pot Wonder: Minimal cleanup and easy cooking — a lifesaver on busy weeknights.
- Family Friendly: My kids go crazy for this, and I bet yours will too!
Ingredients You’ll Need
What I love about this Easy American Chop Suey Recipe is how all these simple ingredients come together to create a flavor-packed meal. A few key pantry staples and fresh veggies are all it takes!
- Lean ground beef: This is the star of the show, giving the dish its meaty richness without too much fat.
- Garlic cloves: Fresh minced garlic adds that irresistible aromatic punch.
- Green pepper: Diced for a little crunch and color – you can swap for red or yellow if you like it sweeter.
- Diced tomatoes (canned): They create a robust tomato base that feels fresh and homemade.
- Condensed tomato soup: This adds a creamy, smooth texture and a nostalgic flavor vibe.
- Tomato sauce (canned): Blends everything with that rich tomato taste turning the sauce silky.
- Italian seasoning: A blend of herbs that brightens up the whole dish beautifully.
- Worcestershire sauce: Adds a tangy depth and a savory umami boost.
- Soy sauce: Just a splash for extra savoriness without feeling “Asian” — trust me on this one!
- Seasoning salt: To bring all those flavors together perfectly.
- White sugar: Here’s the trick to tame the tomato’s acidity and balance the flavor – don’t skip it!
- Dry macaroni: Classic elbow macaroni cooks right in our sauce, soaking up all the deliciousness.
Variations
One of the best things about this Easy American Chop Suey Recipe is how flexible it is. Over the years, I’ve tweaked it depending on what’s in my fridge or my mood, and you really can make it your own.
- Veggie-loaded: I love tossing in mushrooms, zucchini, or even shredded carrots when I want extra veggies — it keeps things colorful and nutritious!
- Cheesy twist: Stir in shredded cheddar or mozzarella right at the end for a creamy, melty finish that my family asks for every time.
- Make it spicy: Add some crushed red pepper or hot sauce if you like a little kick.
- Lower carb: Swap macaroni for spiralized zucchini or cauliflower rice for a lighter version that still satisfies.
How to Make Easy American Chop Suey Recipe
Step 1: Brown the Ground Beef
Start by heating a large stock pot over medium-high heat and add your lean ground beef. Use a wooden spoon to break it up as it cooks. This is key because you want little crumbles, not big chunks. Once fully cooked through and no longer pink, drain off the excess fat — this helps keep the sauce from being greasy.
Step 2: Sauté Garlic and Green Pepper
To the same pot, toss in your minced garlic and diced green pepper. This combo softens in about 5-8 minutes, releasing wonderful aromas. Don’t rush this — cooking these veggies first lets their flavors mellow and blend perfectly with the meat.
Step 3: Add Tomatoes, Sauces, and Seasonings
Now for the magic — pour in your diced tomatoes, condensed tomato soup, and tomato sauce. Sprinkle in Italian seasoning, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, seasoning salt, and the crucial white sugar. Give it all a good stir, then bring the mixture to a low simmer. You’ll start smelling those flavors mingling — it’s basically dinner calling you!
Step 4: Stir in Macaroni and Simmer
Add your dry macaroni right into the simmering sauce. It might seem wild to cook pasta in sauce, but trust me, it works beautifully. Stir well so the noodles don’t clump together. Cover the pot and let it gently simmer for about 20-25 minutes. Stir occasionally — this keeps the macaroni from sticking to the bottom and ensures everything cooks evenly.
Step 5: Finish and Serve
Once the macaroni is tender and the sauce has thickened up nicely, turn off the heat. I love garnishing with fresh parsley here for a pop of color and a little herbal brightness — it really lifts the dish.
Pro Tips for Making Easy American Chop Suey Recipe
- Don’t Skip the Sugar: This is the secret to balancing the acidity from the tomatoes, so add it gradually and taste until it’s just right.
- Stir Often: Once you add the macaroni, stir occasionally to prevent sticking and uneven cooking—it makes a big difference!
- Use Lean Beef: I learned that leaner beef keeps the sauce from being greasy and lets the tomato flavors shine.
- Simmer Gently: Keep your heat low to avoid burning the bottom—slow and steady wins here.
How to Serve Easy American Chop Suey Recipe
Garnishes
I always garnish with fresh chopped parsley for a fresh herbal note and a bit of color. Sometimes, I sprinkle a little grated Parmesan on top — it adds a lovely salty tang that my family adores.
Side Dishes
This Easy American Chop Suey Recipe is a complete meal, but if you want to round it out, a simple green salad or garlic bread works wonders. Roasted veggies or steamed green beans add a nice fresh crunch too.
Creative Ways to Present
For a cozy gathering, I’ve served this in mini cast-iron skillets straight from the oven — everyone loved the rustic, homemade vibe. It also pairs nicely with a side of pickles or a tangy coleslaw for an extra pop of flavor contrast.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftovers in airtight containers in the fridge, and they keep really well for about 3-4 days. The flavors actually marry nicely overnight, so leftovers taste even better sometimes!
Freezing
Freezing this Easy American Chop Suey is totally doable. I cool it completely, then pack it into freezer-safe containers or bags. It freezes well up to 3 months, making it a perfect make-ahead meal for busy nights.
Reheating
I reheat leftovers gently on the stove over low-medium heat, adding a splash of water if it looks dry. Microwaving works too—just cover loosely to keep moisture in. Reheating slowly keeps that nice saucy texture intact.
FAQs
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Can I use other types of pasta in this Easy American Chop Suey Recipe?
Absolutely! While elbow macaroni is classic, you can swap in small pasta shapes like shells, rotini, or penne. Just keep in mind different shapes might shift the cooking time slightly, so keep an eye on the texture.
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Is there a vegetarian version of this recipe?
Yes! You can replace the ground beef with plant-based crumbles or cooked lentils for a hearty vegetarian alternative. Adding extra veggies like mushrooms or zucchini helps keep it filling and flavorful.
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How do I prevent the macaroni from sticking as it cooks in the sauce?
Stirring occasionally during the simmering step is essential to keep the noodles from clumping or sticking to the pot. Using enough liquid and a moderate heat also helps ensure even cooking.
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Can I make this recipe ahead of time and reheat it later?
Definitely! This recipe reheats really well and often tastes even better after the flavors have had a chance to meld overnight. Just store it in an airtight container in the fridge and reheat gently when you’re ready.
Final Thoughts
When I first tried making Easy American Chop Suey Recipe, I was surprised how effortlessly it turned out to be a family favorite. It’s one of those dishes that feels special yet is so easy to make, which is why I keep coming back to it. I’m confident you’ll enjoy the comforting flavors, the minimal cleanup, and the flexibility to make it your own. So go ahead, give it a try — you might just find your new go-to weeknight dinner!
Print
Easy American Chop Suey Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Description
American Chop Suey is a classic comfort food combining tender ground beef, sautéed vegetables, and macaroni in a rich, flavorful tomato sauce seasoned with Italian herbs and a hint of sweetness. Perfect for a hearty family meal, this stovetop dish is easy to prepare and satisfying.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 ½ pounds lean ground beef
- 3–4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup green pepper, diced
- 1 can (28 ounce) diced tomatoes
- 1 can (284 ml) condensed tomato soup
- 1 can (680 ml) tomato sauce
- 1 ½ Tablespoons Italian seasoning
- 1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 Tablespoons soy sauce
- ½ Tablespoon seasoning salt
- 1–2 Tablespoons white sugar
- 2 ½ cups dry macaroni
Instructions
- Cook the Ground Beef: Fry the ground beef in a large stock pot over medium heat until fully cooked, breaking it apart with a spoon. Once browned, drain off any excess fat to keep the dish from being greasy.
- Sauté Vegetables: Add the minced garlic and diced green pepper to the pot. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 5-8 minutes until the vegetables soften and the garlic becomes fragrant, building a flavorful base.
- Add Tomato Ingredients and Seasonings: Stir in the diced tomatoes, condensed tomato soup, tomato sauce, Italian seasoning, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, seasoning salt, and white sugar. Mix thoroughly and bring the mixture to a low simmer to meld all the flavors.
- Incorporate Macaroni: Add the dry macaroni noodles directly into the pot and stir well, ensuring the noodles are evenly coated and distributed throughout the sauce.
- Simmer Until Tender: Cover the pot and let everything simmer on low heat for 20-25 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent the macaroni from sticking to the bottom. The noodles will absorb the sauce and become tender.
- Serve: Once the macaroni is soft and the sauce is thickened, remove the pot from heat. Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley if desired for a pop of color and freshness.
Notes
- Adjust the amount of white sugar to balance the acidity of the tomatoes to your taste.
- Stir occasionally during simmering to prevent noodles from sticking and ensure even cooking.
- Use lean ground beef to reduce excess fat and keep the dish lighter.
- Fresh parsley garnish adds a fresh flavor and nice presentation.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 370
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 620mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 4.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0.2g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 23g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
