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One-Pot American Chop Suey

Whether you call it American Chop Suey or Goulash, this dish is sure to please both the kids and adults at your dinner table. You'll be happy because this is truly a one-pot recipe that is ready to serve in about 40 minutes. How great is that?

You'll also love that this recipe makes enough to feed at least eight people.  That makes it perfect for a family dinner or to eat now and freeze for later.

American Chop Suey: Weeknight Dinner

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Whether you call it American Chop Suey or Goulash, this dish is sure to please both the kids and adults at your dinner table.


American Chop Suey

This dish combines tender pasta with savory ground beef and a rich tomato sauce for a comforting dinner that will have everyone coming back for seconds. Let's dive into why you'll love this recipe.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

It's a Family-Friendly Delight: American Chop Suey is a beloved American comfort food classic, cherished by both kids and adults. With its hearty flavors and familiar ingredients, it's a crowd-pleaser that's sure to satisfy the whole family.

Quick and Effortless: With a cooking time of just 30 minutes, this recipe is a weeknight savior. You can have a wholesome, homemade dinner on the table in less time than it takes to order takeout.

One-Pot Wonder: The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity. Everything cooks in a single pot, including the pasta, so you won't have a mountain of dishes to tackle after enjoying your meal.

Customizable: While this recipe calls for ground beef, you can easily swap it out for ground turkey or even meat alternatives for a lighter option. You can also add vegetables like bell peppers or mushrooms for extra nutrition and flavor.  I'll often add some chunks of zucchini or fresh green beans.

Now, let's ensure your American Chop Suey turns out perfectly with some handy tips.

Tips for American Chop Suey Success

1. Choose the Right Pot: When making this dish in a pot on your stovetop, choose a heavy pot, like a Dutch oven. That will allow you to brown your ground beef and will give you plenty of room for all the pasta. 

2. Choose the Right Pasta: Opt for a sturdy pasta shape like elbow macaroni or rotini. These hold up well in the one-pot cooking process. I like to use a large elbow macaroni in this recipe.  Barilla makes a large elbow macaroni with ridges that I love.  Prince also makes a large elbow macaroni without the ridges.  If you can't find a large elbow macaroni you can use penne or ziti. 

3. Brown the Beef Well: When browning the ground beef, make sure to break it into small crumbles and cook it until it's nicely browned. This adds depth of flavor to your dish. Remember brown beef is yummy beef.

4. Flavor Boost: Don't forget to season generously with salt and pepper. I also add garlic, Italian seasoning, and Better Than Bouillon for extra flavor.

5. Let It Rest: After cooking, allow your American Chop Suey to rest for a few minutes. Sprinkle on some extra parmesan cheese and let it melt into the dish. This helps the flavors meld together, making it even more delicious.

See How EASILY You Can Make American Chop Suey


Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use ground chicken instead of beef?
Absolutely! Ground chicken, turkey, or even a meat substitute like crumbled tofu can be used as a tasty alternative.

Can I make this dish ahead of time?
While American Chop Suey is best enjoyed fresh, you can certainly store it in the refrigerator for a day or two. Add a little water before reheating.

What side dishes go well with American Chop Suey?
A simple side salad, garlic bread, or steamed vegetables make excellent companions to this dish. They add freshness and balance to the meal.

The American Chop Suey Recipe

American Chop Suey
one pot dinner, pasta dinner, quick dinner, stovetop dinner
dinner
American
Yield: 8 servings
Author: Donna Urso
American Chop Suey

American Chop Suey

A quick, easy, one-pot, family-friendly pasta and ground beef recipe that will feed a crowd.
Prep time: 5 MinCook time: 30 MinTotal time: 35 Min

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Heat a Dutch oven or similar pot on your stovetop over medium-high heat, with 2 Tablespoons of olive oil.
  2. Add the onion and ground beef, cooking until browned. Season with salt and pepper.
  3. Add garlic, stir and cook one minute.
  4. Add the rest of the ingredients (except the Parmesan cheese).
  5. Cover, and bring to a boil. Reduce to simmer, cover and cook for about 20 minutes, or until the liquid is absorbed.
  6. Stir in the Parmesan cheese. Serve. Top with extra Parmesan cheese to serve.

Nutrition Facts

Calories

290.37

Fat (grams)

13.67 g

Sat. Fat (grams)

5.03 g

Carbs (grams)

19.17 g

Fiber (grams)

2.71 g

Net carbs

16.47 g

Sugar (grams)

5.63 g

Protein (grams)

21.56 g

Sodium (milligrams)

1414.02 mg

Cholesterol (grams)

57.82 mg

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