Description
Looking for a hearty, one-pot comfort meal that satisfies the whole family? American Chop Suey is a nostalgic New England classic that blends elbow macaroni, savory ground beef, peppers, and tomatoes into a rich, comforting dish. It’s a quick dinner idea that’s perfect for weeknights, great for meal prep, and ideal for those who love easy recipes with big flavor. This dish is one of the best easy dinner ideas you can have on repeat—simple, budget-friendly, and satisfying.
Ingredients
1 pound elbow macaroni
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 pound ground beef
1 yellow onion, diced
1 green bell pepper, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
28 ounces crushed tomatoes
14.5 ounces diced tomatoes with juice
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1 teaspoon paprika
0.5 teaspoon sugar
Salt and black pepper to taste
0.5 cup water or beef broth (optional)
0.25 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
0.5 cup shredded cheddar cheese or parmesan (optional)
Instructions
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the elbow macaroni until al dente. Drain and set aside.
2. In a large Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add ground beef and cook until browned. Drain excess fat.
3. Add diced onion and bell pepper to the pot. Sauté for 4–5 minutes until softened. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
4. Stir in crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes with juice, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, paprika, sugar, salt, and pepper. Add broth if sauce is too thick.
5. Let the sauce simmer on low for 15–20 minutes to develop flavor. Stir occasionally.
6. Add the cooked macaroni into the sauce. Stir to combine and simmer for another 5 minutes.
7. Taste and adjust seasoning. Add red pepper flakes or shredded cheese if desired.
8. Serve hot, garnished with parsley or more cheese if preferred.
Notes
Use lean ground beef or turkey for a lighter option.
Add chopped mushrooms or shredded carrots to sneak in more vegetables.
For a cheesy twist, stir in cheddar or mozzarella before serving.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 580mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
Keywords: easy dinner, American Chop Suey, pasta with beef, comfort food, family meals