Homestyle American Chop Suey With Macaroni
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This homestyle American chop suey with macaroni is pure comfort in a bowl. I love how it brings that old-fashioned, family-style feeling to the table with very little fuss. It is the kind of meal that feels warm, familiar, and satisfying from the first bite.
What makes this dish shine is the simple mix of butter, yellow onion, green bell pepper, garlic, ground beef, oregano, basil, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, tomato juice, and elbow macaroni. Together, they create a rich, savory sauce with a gentle tomato tang and a soft, cozy herb flavor. The beef adds heartiness, while the macaroni soaks up every bit of that sauce.
The method is wonderfully easy, too. You soften the vegetables, brown the beef, stir in the seasonings, and let the sauce simmer while the pasta cooks. Then you combine everything and serve it hot. With 15 minutes of prep time, 30 minutes of cooking time, and a total time of 45 minutes, this is a practical dinner that still feels home-cooked. Plus, it makes 8 servings, so it is great when you want leftovers for later.
This recipe is a strong choice for busy weeknights, chilly evenings, or any time you want a comforting meal that does not take much effort. It is also great for potlucks, church suppers, and casual family dinners. Since it is filling, affordable, and easy to reheat, it is the kind of dish many home cooks return to again and again.
Why You’ll Love This Homestyle American Chop Suey With Macaroni
- It uses simple pantry and fridge staples, so you may already have most of what you need.
- It is a true comfort food recipe, with a rich tomato sauce and hearty beef.
- It comes together in one main pot for the sauce, which keeps cleanup easy.
- It makes a generous batch, so it works well for families or meal prep.
- It is flexible, which means you can adjust the herbs, pasta, or meat to fit your tastes.
Ground Beef Tips
Ground beef is the main protein in this American chop suey, so choosing the right kind helps the whole dish. For the best flavor, use lean or medium ground beef, such as 85/15 or 90/10. That gives you enough richness without leaving too much grease in the pan. Also, break the meat into small pieces as it cooks so the sauce has a nice texture throughout. If you want a lighter dish, drain off extra fat after browning. However, if you prefer a deeper beef flavor, leave a little behind before adding the tomatoes.
Options for Substitutions
- Swap ground beef for ground turkey or ground chicken if you want a lighter version.
- Use Italian seasoning instead of oregano and basil if that is what you have on hand.
- Replace green bell pepper with red, yellow, or orange bell pepper for a sweeter flavor.
- Use crushed tomatoes in place of diced tomatoes if you prefer a smoother sauce.
- Substitute ziti, rotini, or shells for elbow macaroni if needed.
- Add a small splash of beef broth or water if the sauce gets too thick while simmering.
Watch Out for These Mistakes
One common mistake is overcooking the macaroni. Since it keeps softening after you stir it into the sauce, cook it only until al dente. That way, the pasta stays tender but still has a little bite. If you cook it too long, the final dish can turn mushy.
Another issue is under-seasoning the sauce. Because tomatoes can taste sharp or flat on their own, salt and herbs matter here. So, taste the sauce before serving and adjust the seasoning if needed. A small pinch of sugar can also help balance the tomato flavor, especially if your tomatoes taste a little acidic.
Also, do not rush the onion and bell pepper at the start. They need a few minutes to soften, and that step builds a better base flavor. If you skip it, the dish may taste a little raw or flat. In the same way, make sure the beef is fully browned before adding the tomatoes, because that gives the sauce more depth.
Finally, avoid letting the sauce dry out too much while it simmers. If it looks too thick, add a splash of tomato juice or water. Since the pasta will absorb some sauce later, it is better to keep the mixture a little loose at first.
What to Serve With Homestyle American Chop Suey With Macaroni?
This homestyle American chop suey with macaroni pairs well with simple sides that balance its rich, savory flavor. A crisp green salad is a good choice because it adds freshness. Garlic bread or warm dinner rolls also work well, since they are perfect for soaking up extra sauce. If you want a vegetable side, steamed green beans or roasted broccoli are both easy and tasty. For a heartier meal, you could also serve it with coleslaw, which brings a cool, crunchy contrast.
Storage Instructions
Store: Let the recipe cool, then place it in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days.
Freeze: You can freeze it for up to 3 months. For best results, store it in freezer-safe containers in meal-sized portions.
Reheat: For the stovetop, warm it over low to medium heat with a small splash of water, tomato juice, or broth if needed. Stir often so it heats evenly. For the microwave, cover loosely and heat in short intervals, stirring between each round until hot throughout.
Recipe Info
Preparation Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Level of Difficulty: Easy
Servings: 8 servings
Estimated Nutrition
Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):
Calories: about 3,100 to 3,500 kcal total
Protein: about 150 to 170 g total
Fat: about 90 to 120 g total
Carbohydrates: about 320 to 380 g total
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
- 1 green bell pepper, stemmed, seeded, and chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- Kosher salt, to taste
- 1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes
- 1 (14.5-ounce) can tomato sauce
- 1/4 cup tomato paste
- 2/3 cup tomato juice
- Pinch of sugar, to taste
- 1 pound elbow macaroni
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Soften the Vegetables
Melt the butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and green bell pepper, then cook until they soften, about 5 minutes. After that, stir in the garlic and cook for about 1 minute, just until fragrant.
Step 2: Brown the Beef
Add the ground beef to the pot and break it up with a spoon. Cook until it is no longer pink, about 7 minutes. Then stir in the oregano, basil, black pepper, and kosher salt to taste. This is where the base flavor starts to build.
Step 3: Build the Tomato Sauce
Add the diced tomatoes with their juices, tomato sauce, tomato paste, tomato juice, and a pinch of sugar. Stir well so everything blends together. Then let the sauce simmer gently while you cook the pasta.
Step 4: Cook the Macaroni
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Cook the elbow macaroni until al dente, then drain it well. Because the pasta will finish in the sauce, keep it from getting too soft.
Step 5: Combine and Serve
Stir the drained macaroni into the sauce until it is evenly coated. If needed, let it sit over low heat for a minute or two so the flavors come together. Then serve it hot and enjoy a simple, comforting dinner.
Conclusion
Homestyle American chop suey with macaroni is a classic comfort dish that is easy to make and satisfying to eat. It uses simple ingredients, comes together in one relaxed cooking session, and makes enough for a family meal or leftovers. The beef, tomatoes, herbs, and pasta create a cozy blend that feels both hearty and familiar.
If you are looking for a warm, budget-friendly dinner that the whole table can enjoy, this recipe is a great place to start. Try it soon, and if you do, share your thoughts or save it for another busy night. You may also want to explore more easy pasta dinners and family-style comfort food recipes next.
Homestyle American Chop Suey with Macaroni
Ingredients
Method
- Melt the butter in a large pot over medium heat.
- Add the chopped onion and green bell pepper, then cook until they soften, about 5 minutes.
- Stir in the garlic and cook for about 1 minute, just until fragrant.
- Add the ground beef to the pot and break it up with a spoon. Cook until it is no longer pink, about 7 minutes.
- Stir in the oregano, basil, black pepper, and kosher salt to taste.
- Add the diced tomatoes with their juices, tomato sauce, tomato paste, tomato juice, and a pinch of sugar. Stir well to blend.
- Let the sauce simmer gently while you cook the pasta.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the elbow macaroni until al dente, then drain it well.
- Stir the drained macaroni into the sauce until evenly coated.
- Let it sit over low heat for a minute or two so the flavors come together.
- Serve hot and enjoy your comforting dinner.
