Description
American Chop Suey is a classic hearty pasta casserole featuring ground beef, elbow macaroni, and a flavorful tomato sauce with vegetables. This comforting dish is quick to prepare and perfect for weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Seasoning
- 1.5 lbs. ground beef, 85% lean
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 2 teaspoons seasoned salt
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 3 tablespoons tomato paste
Vegetables
- 1 cup diced onion
- 1 cup diced green pepper
- 1 stick celery, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
Liquids and Sauces
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 14.5 oz. diced tomatoes, undrained
- 16 oz. tomato sauce
- 2 ½ cups chicken broth, or beef broth
Pasta and Cheese
- 2 cups elbow macaroni, uncooked
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, optional
Instructions
- Brown Beef: Cook and crumble the ground beef in a large pot over medium-high heat until browned and cooked through, about 8 minutes. Drain excess grease to keep the dish from becoming greasy.
- Add Seasonings and Tomato Paste: Stir in Italian seasoning, seasoned salt, garlic powder, and tomato paste until well combined.
- Sauté Vegetables: Add diced onion, green pepper, and celery to the pot. Cook for 4 minutes until vegetables soften. Add minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute to release its aroma.
- Add Sauces and Broth: Pour in tomato sauce and stir thoroughly. Then add Worcestershire sauce, undrained diced tomatoes, and chicken broth. Stir to combine all ingredients evenly.
- Add Pasta: Stir in the uncooked elbow macaroni. Bring mixture to a gentle boil over medium heat.
- Simmer Covered: Cover the pot and cook for 4 minutes. Uncover and gently run a silicone spatula along the bottom to lift any settled ingredients.
- Continue Cooking: Partially cover the pot and boil gently for another 4 minutes. Run the spatula along the bottom again to prevent sticking.
- Finish Cooking Pasta: Heat uncovered for 3 more minutes or until macaroni is tender when tasted. Turn off heat and allow pasta to absorb remaining liquid.
- Add Cheese (Optional): If desired, gradually sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese into the hot mixture, stirring continuously until melted and combined.
- Serve: Dish out the American Chop Suey warm and enjoy your comforting meal.
Notes
- For a thicker sauce, add 1 tablespoon of flour to the ground beef after browning and cook for 1 minute before adding other ingredients.
- Stir in a dab of softened cream cheese at the end for extra creaminess.
- Add a dash of hot sauce if you prefer a spicy kick.
- Mixing ground beef with Italian sausage enhances flavor complexity.
- Feel free to incorporate frozen vegetables like carrots, peas, corn, or jalapeño peppers for more nutrition and texture.
- To avoid clumpy processed cheese, shred cheese from a block and let it come to room temperature before adding.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 480 kcal
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 780 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 44 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg
