Classic American Chop Suey

Name: Classic American Chop Suey
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 6
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 pound ground beef; 1 medium onion, diced; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 1 green bell pepper, chopped; 2 cans tomato sauce (15 ounces each); 1 can diced tomatoes (14 ounces); 2 cups elbow macaroni; 1 teaspoon dried oregano; 1 teaspoon dried basil; Salt and black pepper to taste; 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, optional

This is a cozy, hearty comfort food classic that tastes even better as leftovers the next day.

By Recipes By Nani· 🌍 American· October 23, 2026

recipesbynani.com

Prep

10 minutes

Cook

25 minutes

Total

35 minutes

Serves

American Chop Suey is a total staple in my kitchen when the weather starts to turn cold. It is one of those simple, filling meals that brings everyone to the table and leaves them perfectly satisfied.

My biggest tip for this one is to let the sauce simmer long enough for the flavors to get to know each other. It makes the sauce much richer, and having a big pot of it means you have an easy lunch or dinner ready for later in the week.

🧺 Ingredients

1 pound ground beef
1 medium onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 green bell pepper, chopped
2 cans tomato sauce (15 ounces each)
1 can diced tomatoes (14 ounces)
2 cups elbow macaroni
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried basil
Salt and black pepper to taste
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, optional

👩‍🍳Instructions

1
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the macaroni according to the package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
2
In a large skillet or Dutch oven, brown the ground beef over medium heat until fully cooked. Drain off any excess fat.
3
Add the onion, garlic, and bell pepper to the beef. Cook for about 5 minutes until the vegetables are soft.
4
Stir in the tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, oregano, and basil. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer for 15 minutes.
5
Fold the cooked macaroni into the sauce until everything is well combined and heated through.
6
Season with salt and pepper to your liking. Top with a sprinkle of cheddar cheese if you want a little extra creaminess before serving.

💡 Tips

This dish stores beautifully in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days. You can also freeze it for up to three months. If you find the pasta soaks up too much sauce, just stir in a tiny splash of water or broth when reheating.

#comfort food #easy dinner #family meal #pasta

Made this recipe? Let us know how it went.