Name: Easy American Chop Suey Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 tablespoon olive oil; 2 lbs (900g) ground beef (90/10); 1 medium yellow onion, chopped; 4 cloves garlic, minced; 3 cups (730ml) beef broth; 29oz (820g) can tomato sauce; 28oz (790g) can diced tomatoes; 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce; 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning; 2 teaspoons garlic powder; 2 teaspoons paprika; Salt and pepper, to taste; 2 bay leaves; 2.5 cups (375g) uncooked elbow macaroni noodles; 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese; Parsley, for garnish

If you’re craving a comforting, hearty meal that’s just as much a family favorite as it is a nostalgia trip, then this Easy American Chop Suey Recipe is exactly what you need tonight. I absolutely love this dish because it’s all about simple ingredients coming together in a deliciously cozy, saucy pasta-and-beef combo that’s so easy to whip up on a busy weeknight. Stick with me here—you’ll find it hits that magical balance of being both filling and delightful without any fuss.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

One-Pot Wonder: You can make the entire dish in a single pot, which means fewer dishes and more time enjoying your meal.
Comfort in Every Bite: The rich, tomato-based sauce combined with ground beef and cheesy pasta is pure comfort food gold.
Kid-Friendly: My kids go crazy for this, and I bet yours will too—plus, they often ask for seconds!
Adaptable & Quick: Ready in about 45 minutes, it’s perfect for those no-stress dinner nights where you want something filling without spending all evening cooking.

A close-up view of a white pot filled with a thick, rich macaroni and ground beef stew. The dish has three main layers: small elbow macaroni noodles in a creamy light orange sauce, dark brown cooked ground beef pieces, and small bits of bright red tomatoes mixed throughout. The stew is sprinkled with fresh chopped green herbs on top. A wooden spoon holds a scoop of the stew above the pot, showing the textures of the noodles, meat, and sauce. The background is a soft white marbled surface with some blurred green plants in the distance. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - American Chop Suey, easy American Chop Suey, hearty American Chop Suey, quick American Chop Suey, comfort food American Chop Suey

Ingredients You’ll Need

For this Easy American Chop Suey Recipe, the ingredients work in perfect harmony to build layers of flavor—from that savory ground beef and fresh onion base to the tangy tomato sauce and blend of seasonings that make this dish stand out. When shopping, look for good quality beef and a tomato sauce you enjoy, since they really shape the final taste.

Flat lay of a small pool of golden olive oil in a white ceramic bowl, a mound of raw ground beef with a natural fresh texture, a medium yellow onion halved to show the layers, four cloves of peeled garlic, a white ceramic bowl filled with rich red tomato sauce, another white bowl with bright red diced tomatoes, a simple white ceramic bowl holding dark Worcestershire sauce, a small heap of dried Italian seasoning herbs, two white ceramic bowls each containing a fine light brown garlic powder and a vibrant rust-colored paprika powder, two fresh bay leaves lying flat, a neat pile of uncooked elbow macaroni noodles, a small white bowl filled with shredded cheddar cheese in a rich golden-yellow color, and a few sprigs of fresh parsley, all arranged symmetrically and naturally placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997 - American Chop Suey, easy American Chop Suey, hearty American Chop Suey, quick American Chop Suey, comfort food American Chop Suey

Olive oil: I use this for browning the beef; it adds subtle richness without overpowering the other flavors.
Ground beef (90/10): I find this ratio offers great flavor with just enough fat to keep it juicy and tender.
Yellow onion: Adds sweetness and depth when cooked down—don’t skip it!
Garlic: Freshly minced garlic gives the sauce a wonderful aromatic boost.
Beef broth: Boosts the savory notes and gives the sauce nice body.
Tomato sauce: The base of the sauce; I prefer plain, no-added-sugar varieties for a natural tang.
Diced tomatoes (canned): Bring texture and freshness—sometimes I opt for fire-roasted for extra flavor.
Worcestershire sauce: This secret umami weapon amplifies depth—don’t skip it!
Italian seasoning: Brings herbs like basil and oregano that tie the tomato sauce flavors together.
Garlic powder: Adds an extra punch of garlic flavor without overpowering.
Paprika: Just a touch for subtle warmth and color.
Salt and pepper: Essential for balancing flavors.
Bay leaves: Infuse a subtle herbal note during simmering—remember to remove before serving.
Elbow macaroni: Classic pasta shape for chop suey—you’ll want to watch cooking time closely so it’s perfectly al dente.
Cheddar cheese: Stirred in at the end for creamy richness and that melty, cheesy finish.
Parsley: Fresh chopped parsley adds a pop of color and a bright contrast just before serving.

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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

One of the reasons I keep coming back to this Easy American Chop Suey Recipe is how easy it is to customize. I love encouraging you to make it your own—whether that means swapping out ingredients or dialing up the seasoning for more punch.

Make it with ground turkey or chicken: I’ve tried this swap when I’m looking for a leaner option, and it still turns out flavorful and satisfying with a few extra herbs.
Vegetarian twist: Replace the beef with hearty mushrooms and add a splash of soy sauce for umami richness—I love this version when I want something lighter.
Spice it up: Add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce if you like a little heat—I do this sometimes to surprise my family!
Extra cheesy: Sprinkle mozzarella on top and broil for a bubbly, golden crust—my kids think it’s the best part of the meal.

How to Make Easy American Chop Suey Recipe

Step 1: Brown the Beef with Love

Heat the olive oil in a dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add your ground beef and cook it until there’s no pink left, breaking it apart with your cooking utensil as you go. Once browned, drain the excess grease and set the beef aside in a bowl. I used to leave the grease and found the dish too oily—draining it really cleans up the flavor.

Step 2: Sauté Onions and Garlic

In the now-empty dutch oven, toss in the chopped onion. Cook, stirring occasionally, for about 3 minutes until the onions become translucent and soft. Then add the minced garlic and cook for another 2 minutes until super fragrant—but watch out so the garlic doesn’t burn; stirring frequently helps with that!

Step 3: Build Your Sauce

Return the browned beef to the dutch oven. Pour in the beef broth, tomato sauce, canned diced tomatoes, and Worcestershire sauce. Now sprinkle in the Italian seasoning, garlic powder, paprika, salt, pepper, and toss in the bay leaves. Stir everything well and bring the mixture to a boil. Then reduce heat to low, cover, and let it simmer for 10 minutes. This slow simmer lets all those flavors really meld together beautifully.

Step 4: Cook the Macaroni Pasta Right in the Sauce

Stir in the uncooked elbow macaroni, cover the pot again, and keep simmering on low. Make sure you stir occasionally to prevent sticking. After about 10 minutes, check the pasta for doneness—it should be al dente but cook longer if you prefer it softer. This step is where the magic really happens as the pasta soaks up all the savory tomato sauce.

Step 5: Finish with Cheese & Parsley

Once the pasta is perfectly cooked, remove the pot from heat and discard the bay leaves. Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese until it melts seamlessly into the sauce—this is my favorite step because it adds that luscious creaminess. Finally, sprinkle fresh chopped parsley over the top for color and a hint of freshness.

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Pro Tips for Making Easy American Chop Suey Recipe

Drain the beef grease: It prevents the dish from getting too greasy and lets the tomato sauce shine.
Simmer on low heat: This slow cooking lets the sauce thicken and develops deeper flavors without burning the bottom.
Stir the noodles occasionally: Keeps them from sticking and ensures even cooking throughout.
Don’t skip bay leaves: They add subtle but essential herbal depth; just remember to fish them out before serving.

How to Serve Easy American Chop Suey Recipe

A white bowl filled with a warm dish made of soft elbow macaroni mixed with chunky pieces of browned meat and bits of tomato in a thick red sauce. The top is sprinkled with fresh green chopped herbs. In the background, there is another white bowl with the same dish and a small clear bowl filled with bright orange shredded cheese, all placed on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - American Chop Suey, easy American Chop Suey, hearty American Chop Suey, quick American Chop Suey, comfort food American Chop Suey

Garnishes

I always top mine with freshly chopped parsley—it adds a fresh, green pop that brightens the rich, tomatoey sauce. Sometimes I throw in a little extra shredded cheddar cheese or even a sprinkle of grated Parmesan if I have it on hand. You’ll find it adds a lovely, savory finish that ties the dish together.

Side Dishes

This Easy American Chop Suey Recipe is so satisfying on its own, but I like pairing it with a crisp green salad or some buttery garlic bread to mop up that delicious sauce. Steamed green beans or roasted broccoli are great veggie options that add color and nutrition to the plate without complicating things.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I’ve served it in individual ramekins topped with an extra sprinkle of cheese and a sprig of parsley—makes it feel a bit fancy without any extra work. You could also spoon the chop suey over garlic-rubbed toasted baguette slices or even stuff it into baked bell peppers for a fun twist.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge, and it usually keeps well for up to 3 days. The flavors mellow a bit overnight, which I actually enjoy because it helps everything meld even more.

Freezing

This recipe freezes beautifully in portion-sized containers. Just make sure it’s completely cooled before freezing to avoid soggy pasta. When thawed, the sauce sometimes thickens, so I add a splash of water or broth while reheating to keep it nice and saucy.

Reheating

Reheating works best in a skillet over medium heat with a bit of broth or water to loosen the sauce. Stir frequently until warmed through and the cheese melts back in nicely—microwaving works too, but this way keeps the texture closer to fresh.

FAQs

What can I substitute for elbow macaroni in this recipe?

You can absolutely swap elbow macaroni with other small pasta shapes like penne, rotini, or even shells. I’ve found that pasta with ridges or a smaller size helps the sauce cling nicely. Just adjust the cooking time so the pasta is perfectly done.
Can I make Easy American Chop Suey Recipe ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the sauce portion a day ahead and store it in the fridge. When ready to eat, just stir in the uncooked pasta and cook until tender. This shortens your meal prep time on busy days.
Is American Chop Suey the same as goulash?

In many parts of the U.S., “American Chop Suey” and “goulash” refer to the same comforting pasta and ground beef dish in tomato sauce. Recipes can vary slightly, but they share the same hearty idea of a simple, one-pot meal.
How do I keep the pasta from getting mushy?

The key is stirring occasionally during the simmer and tasting for doneness at the 10-minute mark. If you want firmer pasta, you can reduce simmering time slightly or use pasta labeled “al dente” cook time on the package as a guideline.

Final Thoughts

This Easy American Chop Suey Recipe truly feels like a warm hug on a plate, and I can’t recommend it enough if you want a no-fuss, delicious dinner option the whole family will enjoy. I still remember making it with my mom in the kitchen when I was younger—passing that tradition along to my own family makes it all the more special. Give it a try, and I bet you’ll find yourself making this tasty, nostalgic dish again and again.