American Chop Suey

Prep: 20 mins

Cook: 35 mins

Total: 55 mins

Servings: 8 to 10 servings

You might know this as beef-a-roni, or macaroni and beef, or more generically as goulash, but American chop suey is a beloved and economical mixture of ground beef, elbow macaroni, and tomatoes. It’s appealing comfort food and a highly adaptable recipe that makes the best of pantry staples.

What’s curious about the naming of this recipe is that it’s a far cry from the Chinese-American version of chop suey, which typically includes meat, bean sprouts, mushrooms, and rice. There are many origin stories about this dish that believably position it as Chinese-American, but the most likely genesis comes from a Cantonese dish called tsap seui (chop suey) which roughly translates to “miscellaneous leftovers.”

American chop suey recipes are typically defined by Italian-American flavors. Extra garlic and tomatoes give this version an abundance of flavor. The green bell pepper is optional. Use a yellow or any other bell pepper you might have on hand or skip it altogether. This recipe makes a big batch, and like chili, the leftovers are better the next day. Serve with warm bread or dinner rolls and a tossed green salad on the side.

“Mainly just pasta, ground beef, and lots of tomatoes, this is a very comforting and easy dish and it makes a huge amount. It won’t be as strongly flavored as pasta with marinara, but that means it’s a good base for experimentation when you crave something other than Italian flavors.” —Danielle Centoni

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Ingredients

• 1 pound elbow macaroni

• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil

• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

• 1 large onion, chopped (about 1 1/2 cups)

• 1 green bell pepper, chopped, optional

• 2 pounds ground beef

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 teaspoon garlic powder

• 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes

• 1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes

• 1 (8-ounce) can tomato sauce

• 3 tablespoons tomato paste

• 1 teaspoon sugar

• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

• Salt, to taste

Steps to Make It

1. Gather the ingredients.

   

2. Cook the pasta in boiling salted water following the package directions.

   

3. Drain in a colander and rinse under hot water. Set aside.

   

4. In a large, deep skillet or saucepan, heat the vegetable oil and butter over medium heat. Add the onion and bell pepper, if using. Cook, stirring until onion is softened and edges are lightly browned.

   

5. Add the ground beef and cook, stirring and breaking up, until the beef is cooked through and no longer pink.

   

6. Add the garlic and garlic powder and cook, stirring for 1 to 2 minutes longer.

   

7. Stir in the crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, sugar, and pepper. Cook, stirring, until the sauce mixture begins to boil. Taste and add salt, as needed. Simmer for 5 to 10 minutes. 

   

8. Add the drained macaroni to the sauce, mix well, and heat through. Serve and enjoy.

   

Tip

• Many pasta shapes can work in this dish, but small, open ones work the best. Make it with cavatappi, mini or regular penne pasta, or ditalini.

Recipe Variations

• Omit the chopped green bell pepper, if desired, or substitute with yellow or red peppers.
• Sauté 4 to 8 ounces of sliced fresh mushrooms with the onions.
• Add 1/2 teaspoon to 1 teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes for a little heat.
• Add 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano or Italian seasoning.

How to Store

• This recipe will keep for three to five days in the fridge and reheats well both on the stovetop and in the microwave. If reheating on the stovetop, add some oil or butter to the pan before adding in the leftover chop suey or add a little bit of water to thin it out and keep it from sticking to the pan.
• Like other casserole-type dishes, American chop suey freezes well. Make sure it is cooled completely, place any leftovers in an airtight container, and freeze. It will keep for up to three months in the freezer. Defrost in the fridge before reheating.

Is Goulash the Same as American Chop Suey?

Yes, goulash and American chop suey are the same dishes in the U.S. While recipes vary slightly, the basic dish consists of pasta, ground beef, and tomatoes. The name American chop suey is more common in the northern states while goulash is more common in the South. Note that American goulash is a different dish than Hungarian goulash.

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 8 to 10
Amount per serving
Calories	417
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 20g	26%
Saturated Fat 8g	38%
Cholesterol 87mg	29%
Sodium 568mg	25%
Total Carbohydrate 29g	11%
Dietary Fiber 5g	16%
Total Sugars 9g
Protein 30g
Vitamin C 19mg	95%
Calcium 88mg	7%
Iron 5mg	28%
Potassium 936mg	20%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.