American Chop Suey
Comfort Food Classic: American Chop Suey
Looking for a hearty, family-friendly dinner that comes together relatively quickly? Look no further than American Chop Suey! This isn’t your traditional Chinese chop suey; it’s a distinctly American pasta dish, often found in New England, and a beloved comfort food for many. It’s a flavorful blend of browned ground meat, tender macaroni, and a rich tomato-based sauce. Think of it as a simplified, quicker version of chili mac, but with its own unique charm.
This recipe is incredibly adaptable. While ground beef is traditional, we love using a combination of ground turkey breast and regular ground turkey for a leaner option. Feel free to experiment with different vegetables too! The classic calls for green peppers and celery, but we often use a mix of red peppers and celery for a little extra color and sweetness.
American Chop Suey is perfect for a weeknight meal, potlucks, or anytime you’re craving something warm and satisfying. It’s also great for using up leftover vegetables. Plus, it’s a dish that often gets better the next day, making it ideal for meal prepping!
Tips for the Best American Chop Suey:
- Browning the Meat: Don’t overcrowd the pan when browning the meat. Work in batches if necessary to ensure a good sear. This adds a lot of flavor to the dish.
- Simmer Time: The simmering time is crucial for allowing the macaroni to cook through and the flavors to meld together. Check the macaroni for tenderness after 20 minutes and adjust the simmering time as needed.
- Spice it Up: Feel free to add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce for a little extra heat.
- Cheese Please: A sprinkle of shredded cheddar cheese on top before serving is always a welcome addition!
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is American Chop Suey?
A: It’s a pasta-based dish, popular in the US, featuring ground meat, macaroni, and a tomato sauce. It’s a comfort food staple, often considered a simplified version of chili mac.
Q: Can I use different types of pasta?
A: While elbow macaroni is traditional, you can experiment with other small pasta shapes like rotini or ditalini.
Q: Can I make this ahead of time?
A: Absolutely! American Chop Suey actually tastes better the next day after the flavors have had a chance to meld. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Q: Is this dish spicy?
A: Not necessarily. The recipe is mild, but you can easily add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce if you like a little heat.
Q: What kind of ground meat is best?
A: Traditionally, ground beef is used, but you can also use ground turkey, pork, or a combination of meats. We enjoy a mix of ground turkey breast and regular ground turkey for a leaner option.
American Chop Suey
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp Olive oil If using ground beef, you may not need the oil.
- 1.5 lbs Ground meat Growing up it was beef, but I use a combo of ground turkey breast and “regular” ground turkey
- 0.5 lb Elbow macaroni Uncooked
- 0.5 cup Onion Minced
- 0.5 cup Pepper or Celery Chopped. I use both red peppers & celery; my mom usually made it with green peppers & celery
- 2 8-oz cans Tomato sauce
- 1 cup Water
- 1 tsp Salt
- 0.25 tsp Pepper
- 1-1.5 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
Instructions
- In a large sauté pan, heat a glug or two of olive oil. Brown the meat and remove.
- Wipe out the pan, and add a little more oil. When it’s heated, sauté the macaroni and whatever chopped vegetables you’re using, until the onion is soft.
- Return the browned meat to the pan and add tomato sauce, water, salt, pepper, and Worcestershire sauce.
- Cover and simmer for 20-25 minutes.
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