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American Chop Suey (American Goulash)

This Classic American Chop Suey Recipe is easy to make in One Pot, the Crock Pot, or the Instant Pot! The flavors blend together perfectly for a traditional comfort food that your family will love.

See recipe notes for how to convert this from a One Pot recipe to a Crock Pot or Instant Pot recipe!

A wooden spoon stirring a pot of hot American Chop Suey.

American Chop Suey

If you live outside of New England, it’s very likely that you know this classic comfort food as “Goulash” vs. American Chop Suey. Today, I’m sticking to my roots and calling it the latter.

The truth is, they’re really one in the same. (Unless you’re talking about Hungarian Goulash, which is made with Chuck Roast or Stew meat.)

No matter what though, this nostalgic recipe is one of my all-time favorites, it’s so easy to make in One Pot.

How to Make It

See recipe card below this post for ingredient quantities and full instructions.

Brown the ground beef and drain excess grease. Mix in tomato paste and seasonings. Add onions, peppers, and celery. 

A dutch oven with cooked ground beef with onions, peppers, and celery being added for American Chop Suey.

Cook for 4 minutes. Add garlic and cook for 1 more minute. Add Worcestershire sauce, tomato sauce, undrained diced tomatoes, and chicken broth. Stir to combine. Add macaroni.

A dutch oven with meat mixture, tomato base, and uncooked macaroni for making American Chop Suey.

Bring to a gentle boil. Stir occasionally until the liquid is reduced and pasta is cooked through. Remove from heat. Add 1 cup of cheddar cheese if desired and serve!

A dutch oven before and after cooking American Chop Suey.

Crock Pot + Instant Pot Method

This recipe can be easily converted to cook in the Crock Pot or Instant Pot, see the notes section in the recipe card for full instructions.

Pro Tips

  • For slightly thicker sauce, mix 1 Tablespoon of flour into the ground beef and cook for 1 minute.
  • Stir in a dab of softened cream cheese at the end for a hint of creaminess
  • Add a dash of hot sauce for an added kick.
  • A combination of Ground Beef and Italian Sausage adds great depth of flavor.
  • Feel free to add frozen carrots, peas, corn, or jalapeno peppers.
  • This recipe is in The Cozy Cookbook on page 163!

Storage

  • Store in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days -leftovers taste even better the next day!
  • You can also freeze for up to 3 months. This recipe freezes well!

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A plate of American Chop Suey with a fork behind it.

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Leave a review, I love hearing your feedback! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

A wooden spoon scooping up American Chop Suey with ground beef, peppers, tomatoes, and sauce.

American Chop Suey

4.99 from 80 ratings
This Classic American Chop Suey Recipe is easy to make in One Pot with simple ingredients. The flavors blend together perfectly for a traditional comfort food that your family will love.

Ingredients

  • 1+ ½ lbs. ground beef, 85% lean
  • 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
  • 2 teaspoons seasoned salt
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • 3 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 cup diced onion
  • 1 cup diced green pepper
  • 1 stick celery, diced
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 14.5 oz. diced tomatoes, undrained
  • 16 oz. tomato sauce
  • 2 ½ cups chicken broth, or beef broth
  • 2 cups elbow macaroni, uncooked
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, optional

Instructions

  • Note: if adding cheese, shred it from a block and set aside before you begin. It shouldn’t be cold when added to the pot. Refrain from packaged shredded cheese if possible as it contains cellulose which prevents it from melting well.
  • Cook and crumble the ground beef in a large pot over medium-high heat until browned and cooked through, about 8 minutes. Drain grease.
  • Add seasonings and tomato paste.
  • Add in onions, peppers, and celery cook for 4 minutes. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute.
  • Add the tomato sauce and stir until combined.
  • Add the Worcestershire sauce, undrained diced tomatoes, and chicken broth.
  • Add the uncooked macaroni, stir to combine. Bring to a gentle boil.
  • Cover for 4 minutes. Uncover and run a silicone spatula along the bottom. Gently lift up anything that is settled on the bottom.
  • Cover partially and boil gently for 4 more minutes. Run a silicone spatula on the bottom again.
  • Heat for 2-3 more minutes or until macaroni is cooked through. Taste-test a noodle for doneness before proceeding. Turn off heat. The pasta will continue to absorb remaining liquid.
  • If desired, gradually sprinkle in the cheese and stir to combine. Serve and enjoy!

Notes

Pro Tips:

  • For slightly thicker sauce, mix 1 Tablespoon of flour into the ground beef and cook for 1 minute.
  • Stir in a dab of softened cream cheese at the end for a hint of creaminess
  • Add a dash of hot sauce for an added kick.
  • A combination of Ground Beef and Italian Sausage adds great depth of flavor.
  • Feel free to add frozen carrots, peas, corn, or jalapeno peppers.
  • This recipe is in The Cozy Cookbook on page 163!
  • This recipe is in The Cozy Cookbook on page 163!

Crock Pot Method

  • Use half the amount of broth and only add the rest if desired.
  • Brown ground beef in a skillet over medium heat until cooked through. Drain excess grease.
  • Transfer everything except the macaroni and shredded cheese to the Crock Pot.
  • Cook on high for 2-3 hours or on low for 4-5.
  • Add the macaroni and shredded cheddar and cook for 30-45 minutes, watch carefully so the pasta doesn't overcook and become mushy. 
  • Add remaining broth if desired and serve!

Instant Pot Method

  • Use half the amount of broth and only add the rest if desired.
  • Cook ground beef on sauté mode until browned and cooked through. Drain grease.
  • Mix in seasonings and tomato paste.
  • Add in onions, peppers, and celery cook for 4 minutes. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute.
  • Mix in the tomato sauce until combined.
  • Stir in the Worcestershire sauce, undrained diced tomatoes and chicken broth.
  • Stir in the macaroni. Secure the lid and close the pressure seal valve.
  • Pressure cook on high for 5 minutes. Flip the quick release valve.
  • Add the remaining broth if desired and stir in the cheese. The macaroni will continue to absorb the liquid and will thicken upon standing. 

Nutrition information is an estimate and is per serving. There are 4 servings in this recipe.

Nutrition

Calories: 478kcal, Carbohydrates: 76g, Protein: 21g, Fat: 11g, Saturated Fat: 6g, Cholesterol: 30mg, Sodium: 2846mg, Potassium: 1216mg, Fiber: 7g, Sugar: 14g, Vitamin A: 1138IU, Vitamin C: 48mg, Calcium: 335mg, Iron: 6mg
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195 comments on “American Chop Suey (American Goulash)”

  1. Dish no 4 as I only discovered you a month ago. It was delicious with cheese and garlic bread.
    I shall give you 6 out of 5.
    (I cannot find the double cooked potatoes you did?)

  2. This recipe is delicious….Thank you

  3. So I went with the beef broth and swapped out celery for mushrooms, but everything else exactly as instructed for stovetop. Hopefully, that one little change doesn’t invalidate my comment 😉 even though technically, it’s not the same recipe. I know, I know, but my mushrooms needed to be eaten.

    IT WAS GREAT! 5 Stars. Delicious.

    PS Since I did indeed desire, I gradually sprinkled cheddar cheese on top and stirred to combine. It made it nice.

    • I’m so happy you enjoyed the Chop Suey! I love making this one with mushrooms too! My husband hates them so I usually have to leave them out😑 Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a review!

  4. This was delicious! I didn’t read the recipe through before I started and mistakingly cooked the pasta ahead of time, so I just used half the amount of broth and it was still SO good. 

  5. Stephanie,
    I JUST made this! I am very impressed at how yummy this is. Thank You So Much For The Awesome Recipe!

    • Hey Troy! WOOO! I am so happy that you enjoyed this! I love how the flavors come together in this one, I always love when people try it! Thank you so much for taking the time to leave this review, I really appreciate it! -Stephanie

    • Best goulash I’ve ever had. Even my kids loved it, and they can be picky with veggies in their pasta. It’s a bit time consuming, but well worth it. I used different colored peppers and it made a beautiful dish. Thank you for the recipe. It’s a keeper!

  6. I made this tonight for the first time. Trying to duplicate the tasty recipe my Mom made decades ago… I was doubtful reading over the ingredients when I saw the chicken broth and cooking the pasta right in the recipe. But I made it exactly as stated (I did include the freshly grated cheddar). O.M.G. Delicious! I would never have believed it could be so tasty. My 5 year old granddaughter and son unexpectedly joined us for dinner and it was a huge hit. My husband loved it, too. Easy recipe to put together, makes a large amount, and I appreciated using just one pot. Thank you for sharing this great recipe!

    • You’re very welcome Patti! I’m so glad to hear this was such a hit!❤️ It’s so great seeing the little kiddos gobble this one up. My daughter goes crazy for it. Plus it’s easy to make and budget friendly. Definitely a great weekday meal! Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a review!😃

  7. This is the best version I have ever made and have made it 3 times now! We always added parmesan but tried with cheddar and it’s excellenta! This makes lots but we love the leftovers too!

    • Hi Rose! I am so happy to hear that you’ve been enjoying this recipe, I really love it too- it’s probably one of my favorites! Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a review, I really appreciate it! -Stephanie

  8. I made this before as written and we really liked it . My question is do you think I can skip cooking the macaroni in the same pot ? Cooking separate and then adding ??

    thanks

    • Hi Char! The liquid in this recipe is designed for cooking the pasta in it, so you would want to eliminate the chicken broth, I haven’t written down measurements for cooking this in separate pots, (and I do like the way that the chicken broth adds flavor to the pasta), so while it can definitely be done, you might have to adjust some of the liquid.

  9. Made this last night and it was delicious ! Thanks for your reply about the cheese ,I just didn’t use it .

    I did have to add a little more chicken broth to get the macaroni done but it was really easy and will make again !!

    Thanks !!!

  10. I am making this today and I wanted to know if I can use extra sharp cheddar the white one ..will this make a difference

    • Extra sharp white doesn’t melt quite as well and it definitely has a sharper more distinct taste. I don’t think it’s out of the question to use it if that’s your only option. The cheese is also an optional addition so you don’t necessarily have to add it, or you can try adding a little and taking a taste, and can add more if you prefer to from there! 🙂

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