Oh my goodness, are you ready for the ultimate hug in a bowl? Sometimes, after a super long week, you just need food that tastes like you’re ten years old again, sitting at the kitchen table waiting for dinner. That’s where my rock-solid, can’t-mess-it-up recipe for **American Chop Suey** comes in. Seriously, this dish is my secret weapon for weeknights when time is tight but my family is craving something truly satisfying.
This isn’t some fancy, complicated casserole. It’s pure, delicious simplicity: ground beef swimming with perfectly tender macaroni pasta coated in a rich, savory tomato sauce. I’ve probably made this exact version hundreds of times over the years, tweaking tiny things until I landed on this gold standard. You only need one skillet, and boom—dinner is done in under 40 minutes. Trust me, once you try this classic comfort food, it’ll become your emergency dinner go-to, too!
Why This American Chop Suey Recipe Works So Well
I know you’re busy, so let me tell you straight up why this version of American Chop Suey lives RENT-FREE in my recipe rotation. It hits all the right notes without demanding hours of attention. This recipe proves you don’t need a dozen complicated steps to get deep, comforting flavor.
- It’s ridiculously fast! We’re talking about getting this on the table in about 40 minutes total.
- One-pan cooking means cleanup is practically nonexistent—just one skillet to wash!
- It uses pantry staples you probably already have on hand, so no emergency grocery runs.
- The flavor is pure nostalgia; it perfectly balances savory beef with sweet tomato goodness.
- It’s sturdy! This dish keeps well, which means leftovers are fantastic. If you need more quick weeknight inspiration, check out my roundup of easy dinner recipes.
Essential Ingredients for Classic American Chop Suey
Okay, let’s talk about what goes into this glorious mess! Since this is a recipe built on simplicity, the quality and clarity of your ingredients really matter. When I look at my handwritten list for American Chop Suey, I see bolded items where Grandma would always tell me, “Don’t substitute this unless you absolutely have to!”
You’ll need the following things ready to go before you even turn the burner on. Having everything chopped and measured makes the cooking process smooth as silk, especially when we’re incorporating that lovely tomato sauce. If you love that deep, rich tomato base, you might also want to look at my homemade ketchup recipe sometime, though for this dish, the canned sauce shines!
- 1 pound of ground beef (I use 85/15—not too lean, not too watery)
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 1 clove of garlic, minced (Don’t be shy with the garlic, trust me!)
- 1 (15-ounce) can of tomato sauce
- 1 cup of water (or beef broth if you want that extra depth!)
- 1 teaspoon of dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon of salt
- 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper
- 8 ounces of elbow macaroni (The classic shape is the best here!)
- And the optional but highly recommended topping: 1/2 cup of shredded cheddar cheese.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Perfect American Chop Suey
Okay, now that we have our ingredients lined up, it’s time to make magic happen in one big skillet! Keep your heat right in the medium range; we don’t want to rush anything, even though this is a quick dish. We’re building layers of flavor here, which is what separates my go-to American Chop Suey from something just… okay.
Browning the Beef and Sautéing Aromatics
First things first: grab your big skillet and get that ground beef cooking over medium heat. Break it up as it browns—you want it nice and crumbly, not one giant hunk! Once almost all the pink is gone, you absolutely have to drain off every bit of that excess grease. I swear, draining it thoroughly is the secret to keeping this from getting oily later on. Next, toss in your chopped onions and minced garlic. Let them sweat together until those onions start looking soft and smelling amazing, which usually takes about five minutes.
Creating the Tomato Sauce Base for American Chop Suey
Once your aromatics are happy, it’s time to build the body of the sauce! Stir in the tomato sauce, the cup of water, dried basil, salt, and pepper. Give everything a good swirl to combine it all beautifully. Make sure you bring this whole tomato mixture up to a gentle simmer on the stovetop before you even think about adding the pasta. That little bit of heat jump-starts the cooking process for the macaroni.
Simmering the Macaroni in the American Chop Suey
This is where it all comes together! Dump in those 8 ounces of dry, uncooked elbow macaroni right into the simmering sauce. Stir well so every piece of pasta gets coated and submerged. Now, cover the skillet and immediately drop the heat down low—we want a gentle simmer, NOT a rolling boil. This needs about 15 to 20 minutes. Key tip alert: you *must* stir it every few minutes! Seriously, don’t walk away for too long. Because the macaroni is actually cooking right in the sauce, it can stick badly to the bottom if you forget it. Stirring prevents that sticking and ensures the pasta cooks evenly. You know it’s ready when the macaroni is tender, and almost all that beautiful tomato liquid has been soaked up or cooked down.
Finishing and Serving Your American Chop Suey
Once the pasta is tender and the texture is just right, pull the skillet right off the heat. If you want that gooey, melty top layer—and honestly, why wouldn’t you?—sprinkle that shredded cheddar cheese right over the surface. Put the lid back on the skillet for just a couple of minutes. The retained heat is more than enough to melt that cheese into gooey perfection without turning your whole dish into a scramble. Then, ladle it out hot! If you’re looking for other one-pot wonders that save you dishes, you have to try my recipe for one-pot macaroni cheeseburger soup!
Tips for Customizing Your American Chop Suey
While I stand by the classic ground beef and tomato version above, I love how flexible this American Chop Suey recipe is! It’s just begging for you to make it your own. The beauty of using ground meat is that you can easily swap it out if you’re running low on beef or just want to try something different.
My notes section mentioned this, but listen up: don’t be afraid to substitute ground turkey or ground pork if you have it. They work just as well as beef, though you might need to watch the cooking time slightly!
For making the flavor richer, skip the water entirely and use beef broth instead. It really deepens the entire sauce, making it taste like you simmered it all afternoon. If you’re looking for more ideas on beef meals, check out my favorite easy beef casseroles for the weekend.
Here’s my little texture trick: When you’re cooking your onion and garlic, toss in about half a cup of finely diced celery or maybe some green bell pepper, too. It adds just a tiny bit of crunch that stands up beautifully against the soft macaroni. You won’t even notice it, but the meal feels instantly fresher!
Storage and Reheating Instructions for American Chop Suey Leftovers
Listen, if you manage to have leftovers of this comfort food (which honestly, is tough in my house!), you’ll want to store them correctly so they taste great the next day. Don’t just leave it uncovered on the counter—we don’t want that deliciousness drying out!
The trick is getting it into an airtight container as soon as it’s completely cooled down. It keeps really nicely in the fridge for about three or four days max. I love having this for lunch the next day!
When you reheat it, you might notice the macaroni has soaked up a little more liquid than when it was first made; that’s totally normal because pasta continues absorbing sauce even after it cools. If you reheat it on the stovetop, I always add a tiny splash—maybe a tablespoon—of water or broth to loosen it up while you gently heat it through. Microwaving works too, but again, add a splash of liquid and cover it loosely so it steams nicely instead of getting rubbery.
Frequently Asked Questions About American Chop Suey
I always get questions when I post this recipe because everyone has a slightly different memory of what American Chop Suey should taste like! It’s the best kind of comfort food because it’s so adaptable. Here are some of the things I hear most often when readers try out my version.
Can I make American Chop Suey vegetarian?
Absolutely! If you want to skip the ground beef, you can definitely make this vegetarian. I recommend substituting the meat with cooked lentils or maybe sautéed mushrooms and chopped walnuts for texture. You’ll still build your sauce base on the onions and garlic, just skip the initial browning step, and keep the simmering time the same!
What is the best type of macaroni to use for American Chop Suey?
You’ll see that I specified elbow macaroni because that’s the absolute classic shape, and it really holds onto that lovely little bit of sauce. If you’re out of elbows, you can definitely use rotini pasta or even small shells. The key is using a smaller noodle that cooks quickly right in the sauce, rather than something long like spaghetti.
How can I make this American Chop Suey recipe spicier?
If you like a little kick to your comfort food, this is so easy to adjust! Right when you add your tomato sauce and water, toss in about a 1/4 teaspoon of red pepper flakes. If you want a little heat without the flakes, just add a dash or two of your favorite bottled hot sauce right into the simmering liquid. It really wakes up the flavor profile!
If you’re looking for more easy weeknight meals that become instant family favorites, don’t forget to check out my list of easy dinner recipes!
Estimated Nutritional Information for American Chop Suey
Now, I try not to focus too much on numbers when I’m trying to enjoy some classic comfort food, but I know some of you like to track things! So, here is the estimated nutritional breakdown for one serving of this American Chop Suey recipe. This is based on using the standard ingredients I listed, so please keep in mind that your actual numbers might shift a little depending on the brand of tomato sauce or how much fat you drain off the ground beef.
When I look at these numbers, I see a great balance of protein from the beef and satisfying carbs from the macaroni. It really hits the spot without being too much of a splurge!
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 550mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Just a quick word of advice: these values are good estimates, but they can totally change if you swap out the ground beef for turkey or if you skip adding that optional cheese! Cook with what works for your family, and don’t stress too much over the counts!
Share Your American Chop Suey Creations
I poured out all my heart and all my best tips for making this American Chop Suey, but honestly, the real joy comes when you all try it out in your own kitchens! Seriously, hearing from you guys makes my day. I live for those emails or comments saying that this recipe saved a busy Tuesday night or that your kids actually ate their whole plate!
So, once you’ve whipped up a batch, I’d absolutely love for you to come back here and give the recipe a star rating. Did you follow the directions perfectly? Did you swap the beef for pork? Tell me everything!
And if you’re snapping photos—and you should be, because this dish looks great piled high in a bowl—please tag me when you share them on social media! It makes me so happy to see my virtual kitchen connecting with yours. You can always reach out directly through my contact page if you have a question that pops up later!
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American Chop Suey
- Total Time: 40 min
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A simple, comforting dish made with ground beef, macaroni, and tomato sauce.
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
- 1 cup water
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 8 ounces elbow macaroni
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional)
Instructions
- Brown the ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat. Drain off any excess fat.
- Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet. Cook until the onion softens, about 5 minutes.
- Stir in the tomato sauce, water, basil, salt, and pepper. Bring the mixture to a simmer.
- Add the uncooked elbow macaroni to the skillet. Stir well to combine.
- Cover the skillet and reduce heat to low. Simmer for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the macaroni is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Remove from heat. If using, sprinkle the cheddar cheese over the top and cover until the cheese melts.
- Serve hot.
Notes
- You can substitute ground turkey or ground pork for the ground beef.
- For a richer flavor, use beef broth instead of water.
- Prep Time: 10 min
- Cook Time: 30 min
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 8
- Sodium: 550
- Fat: 18
- Saturated Fat: 7
- Unsaturated Fat: 11
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 45
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 28
- Cholesterol: 70
Keywords: American Chop Suey, ground beef, macaroni, tomato sauce, comfort food, easy dinner