American Chop Suey with Ground Beef
American Chop Suey with Ground Beef is a hearty and comforting pasta dinner loaded with tender macaroni, savory ground beef, and a rich tomato sauce. This easy one-pot meal is perfect for busy weeknights, family dinners, and budget-friendly comfort food cravings.
Ingredients
- 1 lb (450g) ground beef
- 2 tbsp olive oil or butter
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 1 green bell pepper, chopped (optional)
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes (or tomato sauce)
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning (oregano, basil, thyme mix)
- 1 tsp paprika (optional, for depth)
- 1 tsp sugar (to balance acidity)
- 2 cups beef broth or water (adjust for consistency)
- 2 cups dry elbow macaroni (uncooked)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley or basil, for garnish
- Optional topping: grated Parmesan or cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add elbow macaroni and cook until al dente (slightly firm). Drain and set aside.
- Sauté the Aromatics In a large skillet or Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add chopped onion and bell pepper. Cook for 4–5 minutes until softened. Stir in garlic and cook for 1 minute.
- Brown the Beef Add ground beef to the skillet. Cook until browned, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon (about 6–7 minutes). Drain excess fat if needed.
- Make the Sauce Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, Italian seasoning, paprika, and sugar. Pour in beef broth. Bring to a simmer and cook for 15–20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens and flavors meld.
- Combine with Pasta Add the cooked pasta into the sauce mixture. Stir well until evenly coated. Let it simmer for another 5 minutes to allow the pasta to absorb flavor.
- Final Touch Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Garnish with parsley and top with Parmesan cheese if desired.