The Cozy Cookbook is here! 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!
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.
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.
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!
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!
Try These Next
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- Homemade Hamburger Helper
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- Chicken Stew
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- Slow Cooker Beef Stew
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- Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff
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- Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole
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- Ground Beef Pasta
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American Chop Suey
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.
I totally simplified this recipe years ago and I absolutely love it. I have no formal recipe but I cook the elbow mac, drain, add some jarred spaghetti sauce, a little cooked onion, some precooked hamburg or ground turkey, and a little sugar, oregano, garlic, pepper and salt. I also add some precooked, well done, italian sausage. Then simmer ’til, at least, all is bubbly. Keep adding salt to taste as needed. It’ll need it. Always the better the next day. Requires some water to keep it a little soupy as the pasta absorbs the liquid when it’s stored . If desired add some canned mushroom too! I do.
Easy and Perfection!
Sounds yummy Ingrid, I love the addition of the Italian Sausage 😋! Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a comment!
About Elbow macaroni, small or large?
Thanks!
Hi Diana! Small! 🙂
Awesome!! That is what I was hoping for!!! Thank you so much. I made few different versions of goulash but this one I have not tried yet so this Monday which is National Chop Suey Day, I am going to make this one! 😁
Ohhhh what a great idea!!! I think you’re going to loveeee this one, I can’t wait for you to try it!!
LOVE this recipe. How would you recommend reheating from frozen?
This one reheats well in the microwave, but if you want to take things up a notch (with any pasta recipe that you’re reheating), I would let it thaw and then reheat in a makeshift double boiler on the stovetop, it applies a nice, even heat that restores it back to its originally consistency very nicely. This even goes for cream based sauces! 🙂 So happy that you loved the recipe! -Stephanie
I made this with great reviews from my family with these modifications:
-reduced salt and Worcestershire due to sodium concerns
-did not use garlic powder at all
-chose to soften the onions and bell peppers before adding to the dish
-reduced the amount of liquids slightly (diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, broth) because I wanted the dish to be a bit drier than pictured.
Thanks so much for sharing your modifications and for taking the time to leave such a great review Faye!❤️ I’m so happy you liked this one!
Does this freeze well?
Yes! You can freeze for up to 3 months 😃
This was simple to make and delicious! My husband is very critical and he raved about it. Definitely going to make it again.
I’m so glad your picky husband approved Amy! Sounds like a huge victory, nice work!❤️ Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a review!
Sounds and looks amazing!! Perfect for fall comfort food. Keep them coming Stephanie. I will add a hunk of cornbread on the side and salad.👍👍
Cornbread on the side with a salad sounds perfect! Thanks so much for the great review Bernie!💗
I made this recipe vegan by substituting the meat for a meatless ground and cheese with dairy free cheese. This recipe is easy, quick and definitely one of my new favorites! My husband adores it! Thank you!
I’m so happy your husband loves it so much Monika! Thanks so much for the great comments and review!❤️
Excellent! A great one pot recipe. I made this in my Dutch Oven. This recipe now replaces a previous American Chop Suey recipe I have. I followed another reviewers comment about adding a little brown sugar to the pot. It removed some of the acidity from the tomato sauce. Perfect!
I’m so happy this was a victory Elysa, thanks so much for the great review!❤️
I used the Instant pot version. Soooo good. Love you recipes. Thank you for sharing.
I love how easy the instant pot is! Thanks so much for your support and for taking the time to leave a review!😍
English here.. When you say tomato sauce, do you mean a pasta sauce like marinara? Thank you x
Hey Melanie!! It’s like using Tomato Passata, let me know if that doesn’t help clarify!! 🙂 Thank you and enjoy!! -Stephanie
You’ll find cans of tomato sauce next to tomato paste and other canned tomato products. It usually doesn’t have all the extra flavorings added like a pasta sauce.