Mom's American Chop Suey

Savor the nostalgic warmth of Mom's American Chop Suey—a classic comfort food that combines tender elbow macaroni, hearty ground beef, and a rich tomato-based sauce flavored with aromatic garlic, onions, and green bell peppers. This one-pot wonder is seasoned to perfection with dried herbs like oregano and basil, a touch of sugar for balance, and a sprinkle of optional Parmesan cheese for a savory finish. Quick to prepare and simmered gently for maximum flavor, this recipe is a family favorite that serves as the perfect weeknight meal. Ideal for feeding a crowd or reheating leftovers, Mom's American Chop Suey is a deliciously satisfying dish that brings timeless flavors right to your table.

Nutriscore Rating: 75/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:35 mins

Total Time:50 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 1 pound elbow macaroni
• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 large (diced) yellow onion
• 1 large (diced) green bell pepper
• 3 minced garlic cloves
• 28 ounces crushed tomatoes
• 15 ounces tomato sauce
• 6 ounces tomato paste
• 1 cup water
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 0.5 cup (grated, optional) Parmesan cheese

Directions

Step 1

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the elbow macaroni according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.

Step 2

In a large skillet or Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium heat.

Step 3

Add the diced onion and green bell pepper to the skillet. Sauté for 4–5 minutes, until softened.

Step 4

Add the minced garlic and sauté for an additional 1 minute, stirring constantly.

Step 5

Crumble the ground beef into the skillet and cook until browned, about 6–8 minutes. Drain any excess fat from the skillet.

Step 6

Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, and water, mixing well to combine.

Step 7

Season the mixture with dried oregano, dried basil, sugar, salt, and black pepper. Stir to ensure the spices are evenly distributed.

Step 8

Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to low. Simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.

Step 9

Add the cooked macaroni to the skillet and mix well, ensuring the pasta is fully coated with the sauce.

Step 10

Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed.

Step 11

If desired, sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese over the top just before serving.

Step 12

Serve hot and enjoy your comforting bowl of Mom's American Chop Suey!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2949.9g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3807.5

Total Fat 140.6g	0%
Saturated Fat 46.6g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.8g
Cholesterol 365.6mg	0%
Sodium 3696.9mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 463.3g	0%
Dietary Fiber 43.1g	0%
Total Sugars 83.4g
Protein 178.5g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 817.5mg	0%
Iron 36.1mg	0%
Potassium 5053.9mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 33.0%

Protein: 18.6%

Carbs: 48.4%