Name: American Chop Suey Recipe
Ingredients: 1 tablespoon Canola Oil: The foundation of our dish starts with a tablespoon of canola oil. Why canola oil? It’s a neutral-flavored oil with a high smoke point, making it perfect for sautéing our vegetables and browning the ground beef without imparting any unwanted flavors. You can also substitute with other neutral oils like vegetable oil, grapeseed oil, or even light olive oil if you prefer.; 1 Onion, Peeled and Chopped: Onions are the aromatic backbone of countless savory dishes, and American Chop Suey is no exception. A medium-sized yellow onion, peeled and chopped, provides a foundational sweetness and depth of flavor that builds as it cooks. As the onion softens in the oil, it releases its natural sugars, adding a subtle sweetness that balances the acidity of the tomatoes to come. Don’t skip the onion – it’s crucial for creating a well-rounded flavor profile. For a slightly milder onion flavor, you could use a white onion.; ½ Green Bell Pepper, Cored, Seeded and Chopped: Green bell pepper brings a slightly bitter and grassy note to the dish, adding complexity and a touch of freshness. Chopping it into bite-sized pieces ensures it cooks evenly and blends seamlessly into the chop suey. Bell peppers are also packed with Vitamin C and other beneficial nutrients, adding a healthy boost to your meal.; ½ Red Bell Pepper, Cored, Seeded and Chopped: Red bell pepper offers a sweeter and slightly fruitier flavor compared to green bell pepper. Its vibrant color also adds visual appeal to the dish. Using both green and red bell peppers not only enhances the flavor profile but also creates a more colorful and visually appealing final product. Feel free to experiment with other colors of bell peppers like yellow or orange for a slightly different flavor dimension.; 1 pound Ground Beef: Ground beef is the star protein of this American Chop Suey, providing a rich, meaty flavor and satisfying texture. Using ground beef that is around 80/20 lean-to-fat ratio is ideal. The fat content contributes to flavor and keeps the beef moist during cooking. However, you can also use leaner ground beef if you prefer, just be mindful not to overcook it as it can become dry. For a variation, you could substitute ground turkey or ground chicken for a lighter take on this classic dish.; Salt and Pepper to Taste: Seasoning is key to bringing out the best flavors in any dish, and salt and pepper are the fundamental seasonings. Seasoning the ground beef as it browns is crucial for building flavor from the very beginning. Don’t be shy with your salt and pepper – taste and adjust as you go to ensure the dish is perfectly seasoned to your liking.; 1 can (15 ounces) Diced Tomatoes: Diced tomatoes form the base of the flavorful sauce in American Chop Suey. Canned diced tomatoes are convenient and readily available, providing a consistent level of acidity and tomato flavor. Opt for diced tomatoes in juice rather than puree for a chunkier texture. You can also use fire-roasted diced tomatoes for a smoky depth of flavor.; 1 can (15 ounces) Tomato Sauce: Tomato sauce adds richness and body to the sauce, creating a smooth and cohesive texture. It intensifies the tomato flavor and contributes to the overall sauciness of the dish. Choose a good quality tomato sauce for the best flavor.; 2 cups Tomato Juice (or Beef Broth): Tomato juice or beef broth serves as the liquid component of the sauce, bringing everything together and creating the perfect consistency for cooking the macaroni. Tomato juice enhances the tomato flavor, while beef broth adds a deeper, savory dimension. You can use either depending on your preference. If using beef broth, low-sodium is recommended to control the salt level in the dish.; 2 tablespoons Tomato Paste: Tomato paste is a concentrated form of tomatoes, packed with intense flavor. Just a couple of tablespoons adds a significant depth of umami and richness to the sauce, intensifying the tomato flavor and creating a more complex and satisfying sauce. Don’t skip the tomato paste – it’s a flavor booster!; 1 tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce: Worcestershire sauce is a secret ingredient that adds a savory, umami-rich complexity to the sauce. Its unique blend of flavors, including vinegar, molasses, tamarind, and spices, adds a depth that you can’t quite put your finger on, but definitely enhances the overall taste.; 1 teaspoon Dried Oregano: Dried oregano is a classic Italian herb that complements tomato-based sauces beautifully. It adds a warm, slightly peppery, and aromatic note that is characteristic of many Italian-American dishes.; 1 teaspoon Dried Basil: Dried basil is another essential Italian herb that pairs perfectly with tomatoes and oregano. It contributes a sweet, slightly minty, and aromatic flavor that brightens up the sauce and adds a touch of freshness.; 1 teaspoon Sugar: A teaspoon of sugar might seem unexpected in a savory dish, but it plays a crucial role in balancing the acidity of the tomatoes. Just a touch of sugar rounds out the flavors and prevents the sauce from being overly tart. You can adjust the amount of sugar to your liking, depending on the acidity of your tomatoes.; 2 cups Uncooked Elbow Macaroni: Elbow macaroni is the classic pasta shape for American Chop Suey. Its curved shape and ridges hold onto the sauce beautifully, ensuring every bite is flavorful and satisfying. Uncooked macaroni is added directly to the sauce, cooking in the flavorful liquid and absorbing all the deliciousness as it cooks. You can substitute other small pasta shapes like ditalini, small shells, or even rotini if you prefer.

Ingredients

Scale

1 tablespoon Canola Oil: The foundation of our dish starts with a tablespoon of canola oil. Why canola oil? It’s a neutral-flavored oil with a high smoke point, making it perfect for sautéing our vegetables and browning the ground beef without imparting any unwanted flavors. You can also substitute with other neutral oils like vegetable oil, grapeseed oil, or even light olive oil if you prefer.

1 Onion, Peeled and Chopped: Onions are the aromatic backbone of countless savory dishes, and American Chop Suey is no exception. A medium-sized yellow onion, peeled and chopped, provides a foundational sweetness and depth of flavor that builds as it cooks. As the onion softens in the oil, it releases its natural sugars, adding a subtle sweetness that balances the acidity of the tomatoes to come. Don’t skip the onion – it’s crucial for creating a well-rounded flavor profile. For a slightly milder onion flavor, you could use a white onion.

½ Green Bell Pepper, Cored, Seeded and Chopped: Green bell pepper brings a slightly bitter and grassy note to the dish, adding complexity and a touch of freshness. Chopping it into bite-sized pieces ensures it cooks evenly and blends seamlessly into the chop suey. Bell peppers are also packed with Vitamin C and other beneficial nutrients, adding a healthy boost to your meal.

½ Red Bell Pepper, Cored, Seeded and Chopped: Red bell pepper offers a sweeter and slightly fruitier flavor compared to green bell pepper. Its vibrant color also adds visual appeal to the dish. Using both green and red bell peppers not only enhances the flavor profile but also creates a more colorful and visually appealing final product. Feel free to experiment with other colors of bell peppers like yellow or orange for a slightly different flavor dimension.

1 pound Ground Beef: Ground beef is the star protein of this American Chop Suey, providing a rich, meaty flavor and satisfying texture. Using ground beef that is around 80/20 lean-to-fat ratio is ideal. The fat content contributes to flavor and keeps the beef moist during cooking. However, you can also use leaner ground beef if you prefer, just be mindful not to overcook it as it can become dry. For a variation, you could substitute ground turkey or ground chicken for a lighter take on this classic dish.

Salt and Pepper to Taste: Seasoning is key to bringing out the best flavors in any dish, and salt and pepper are the fundamental seasonings. Seasoning the ground beef as it browns is crucial for building flavor from the very beginning. Don’t be shy with your salt and pepper – taste and adjust as you go to ensure the dish is perfectly seasoned to your liking.

1 can (15 ounces) Diced Tomatoes: Diced tomatoes form the base of the flavorful sauce in American Chop Suey. Canned diced tomatoes are convenient and readily available, providing a consistent level of acidity and tomato flavor. Opt for diced tomatoes in juice rather than puree for a chunkier texture. You can also use fire-roasted diced tomatoes for a smoky depth of flavor.

1 can (15 ounces) Tomato Sauce: Tomato sauce adds richness and body to the sauce, creating a smooth and cohesive texture. It intensifies the tomato flavor and contributes to the overall sauciness of the dish. Choose a good quality tomato sauce for the best flavor.

2 cups Tomato Juice (or Beef Broth): Tomato juice or beef broth serves as the liquid component of the sauce, bringing everything together and creating the perfect consistency for cooking the macaroni. Tomato juice enhances the tomato flavor, while beef broth adds a deeper, savory dimension. You can use either depending on your preference. If using beef broth, low-sodium is recommended to control the salt level in the dish.

2 tablespoons Tomato Paste: Tomato paste is a concentrated form of tomatoes, packed with intense flavor. Just a couple of tablespoons adds a significant depth of umami and richness to the sauce, intensifying the tomato flavor and creating a more complex and satisfying sauce. Don’t skip the tomato paste – it’s a flavor booster!

1 tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce: Worcestershire sauce is a secret ingredient that adds a savory, umami-rich complexity to the sauce. Its unique blend of flavors, including vinegar, molasses, tamarind, and spices, adds a depth that you can’t quite put your finger on, but definitely enhances the overall taste.

1 teaspoon Dried Oregano: Dried oregano is a classic Italian herb that complements tomato-based sauces beautifully. It adds a warm, slightly peppery, and aromatic note that is characteristic of many Italian-American dishes.

1 teaspoon Dried Basil: Dried basil is another essential Italian herb that pairs perfectly with tomatoes and oregano. It contributes a sweet, slightly minty, and aromatic flavor that brightens up the sauce and adds a touch of freshness.

1 teaspoon Sugar: A teaspoon of sugar might seem unexpected in a savory dish, but it plays a crucial role in balancing the acidity of the tomatoes. Just a touch of sugar rounds out the flavors and prevents the sauce from being overly tart. You can adjust the amount of sugar to your liking, depending on the acidity of your tomatoes.

2 cups Uncooked Elbow Macaroni: Elbow macaroni is the classic pasta shape for American Chop Suey. Its curved shape and ridges hold onto the sauce beautifully, ensuring every bite is flavorful and satisfying. Uncooked macaroni is added directly to the sauce, cooking in the flavorful liquid and absorbing all the deliciousness as it cooks. You can substitute other small pasta shapes like ditalini, small shells, or even rotini if you prefer.

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Instructions

Step 1: Sauté the Aromatics (5 minutes)

Place a wide, large pan or Dutch oven over medium heat. Using a wide pan is important as it allows for even cooking of the beef and pasta and helps the sauce reduce slightly.

Add 1 tablespoon of canola oil to the pan and let it heat up for a few seconds until it shimmers. This indicates the oil is hot enough to start cooking.

Add the chopped onion, green bell pepper, and red bell pepper to the pan.

Cook, stirring occasionally, for about 5 minutes, or until the onions become softened and translucent, and the bell peppers are slightly tender. Sautéing the vegetables first releases their flavors and creates a flavorful base for the dish. Don’t rush this step – allowing the vegetables to soften properly is key.

Step 2: Brown the Ground Beef (5-7 minutes)

Add 1 pound of ground beef to the pan with the softened vegetables.

Using the back of a spoon or a spatula, break up the ground beef into smaller pieces.

Cook, stirring occasionally, until the ground beef is lightly browned and no longer pink. Browning the beef adds depth of flavor and texture to the dish. Make sure to break up the beef well to prevent large clumps from forming.

Season the ground beef with salt and pepper to taste. Seasoning at this stage helps to flavor the beef from the inside out. Start with about ½ teaspoon of salt and ¼ teaspoon of black pepper, and adjust to your preference later.

If there is excess oil in the pan after browning the beef, drain it off. This helps to prevent the dish from becoming greasy.

Step 3: Build the Flavorful Sauce (5 minutes)

Add the canned diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato juice (or beef broth), tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, dried oregano, dried basil, and sugar to the pan with the browned ground beef and vegetables.

Stir well to combine all the ingredients and ensure the tomato paste is fully incorporated.

Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat. Simmering allows the flavors to meld together and deepen.

Step 4: Cook the Macaroni (10-15 minutes)

Add 2 cups of uncooked elbow macaroni to the simmering sauce.

Stir well to distribute the macaroni evenly throughout the sauce. Ensure the macaroni is mostly submerged in the liquid.

Lower the heat to low, cover the pan tightly with a lid, and cook for about 10 to 15 minutes, or until the macaroni is cooked through and tender. The cooking time may vary slightly depending on the type of macaroni and your stovetop.

Stir occasionally during cooking to prevent the macaroni from sticking to the bottom of the pan and to ensure even cooking. If the sauce becomes too thick during cooking, you can add a splash of water or broth to thin it out slightly.

Step 5: Final Seasoning and Serving (2 minutes)

Once the macaroni is cooked, remove the lid and stir the American Chop Suey well.

Taste and season with additional salt and pepper to taste, if needed. At this stage, you can also adjust the sweetness or acidity of the sauce by adding a pinch more sugar or a squeeze of lemon juice, if desired.

Spoon the American Chop Suey onto serving plates.

Serve hot, with Worcestershire sauce on the side for drizzling, and garnish with Parmesan cheese, if desired. A sprinkle of fresh parsley or basil can also add a touch of freshness and visual appeal.

Nutrition

Serving Size: One Normal Portion
Calories: 450-550