Introduction
American Chop Suey is a classic midwestern comfort food featuring ground beef, pasta, and a savory tomato sauce. Sometimes called “goulash” in parts of the U.S., it’s quick, budget-friendly, and kid-approved.
⏱️ Prep Time
- Preparation Time: 10 minutes
- Cooking Time: 25–30 minutes
- Total Time: 35–40 minutes
🧰 Equipment
- Large skillet or saucepan
- Pot for boiling pasta
- Wooden spoon or spatula
- Measuring cups and spoons
📝 Ingredients (Serves 4–6)
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 12 oz elbow macaroni (or any small pasta)
- 1–2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (optional)
📌 Ingredient Notes
- Pasta: Elbow macaroni is traditional, but penne or rotini works.
- Ground Beef: 80/20 gives best flavor.
- Cheese: Optional topping for extra creaminess.
👩🍳 Instructions
- Cook Pasta
- Boil pasta according to package directions; drain and set aside.
- Cook Beef & Veggies
- In a large skillet, cook ground beef over medium heat until browned.
- Add onions, bell pepper, and garlic; sauté until softened.
- Add Sauce & Seasoning
- Stir in crushed tomatoes, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper.
- Simmer 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Combine Pasta & Sauce
- Add cooked pasta to the skillet; stir to combine.
- If desired, sprinkle shredded cheese on top and cover until melted.
- Serve
- Serve hot with garlic bread or a simple salad.
🧾 Nutrition Facts (Approx. per serving)
- Calories: 480 kcal
- Protein: 22 g
- Carbohydrates: 52 g
- Fat: 18 g
- Sodium: 650 mg
💡 Tips
- For extra flavor, sauté vegetables in the beef fat before adding beef.
- Add a splash of Worcestershire sauce to the sauce for depth.
- Leftovers taste even better the next day.
🔄 Variations
- Vegetarian: Replace beef with lentils or plant-based crumbles.
- Spicy: Add red pepper flakes or diced jalapeños.
- Cheesy Baked Version: Top with mozzarella and bake at 375°F for 15 minutes.
- Loaded: Add mushrooms, zucchini, or spinach for extra veggies.
