Homestyle American Chop Suey

Ingredients

• 1 lb (450g) elbow macaroni 1 lb (450g) elbow macaroni
• 1 lb (450g) ground beef 1 lb (450g) ground beef
• 1 onion, diced 1 onion, diced
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 green bell pepper, diced 1 green bell pepper, diced
• 1 can (14 oz/400g) diced tomatoes 1 can (14 oz/400g) diced tomatoes
• 1 can (8 oz/227g) tomato sauce 1 can (8 oz/227g) tomato sauce
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• Salt and pepper to taste Salt and pepper to taste
• Grated Parmesan cheese, for serving Grated Parmesan cheese, for serving
• Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 450 kcal / 1884 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 18g, 7g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 45g, 8g
• Protein: 25g
• Fiber: 4g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Cook the elbow macaroni according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
2. 2.
   In a large skillet or Dutch oven, brown the ground beef over medium heat until fully cooked. Remove any excess fat.
3. 3.
   Add the diced onion, minced garlic, and diced green bell pepper to the skillet. Sauté until the vegetables are tender.
4. 4.
   Stir in the diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, dried oregano, dried basil, paprika, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 10-15 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
5. 5.
   Add the cooked elbow macaroni to the skillet and toss until well coated with the sauce.
6. 6.
   Serve hot, garnished with grated Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Elbow macaroni — Cook the pasta until al dente to ensure it retains a slight bite and doesn't become mushy.
• Ground beef — Choose lean ground beef for a healthier option. Drain any excess fat after browning.
• Diced tomatoes — Opt for canned diced tomatoes for convenience, but you can also use fresh tomatoes if preferred.
• Worcestershire sauce — This adds a savory umami flavor to the dish. If you don't have Worcestershire sauce, you can substitute with soy sauce or fish sauce.

Tips & Tricks

• For added flavor, sauté the onions, garlic, and bell pepper until they are caramelized and slightly browned.
• Feel free to customize the recipe by adding your favorite vegetables such as mushrooms, carrots, or zucchini.
• Leftovers can be refrigerated and reheated the next day. The flavors tend to meld together even more, making it even tastier.

Serving advice

Homestyle American Chop Suey is best served hot, straight from the skillet. Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley on top for an extra burst of flavor. Pair it with a side salad or garlic bread to complete the meal.

Presentation advice

Serve Homestyle American Chop Suey in individual bowls, allowing the vibrant colors of the pasta, ground beef, and tomato sauce to shine through. Garnish with a sprinkle of fresh parsley for a pop of green.