New England chop suey or American goulash is comfort food at its best. Try this delightful and satisfying dish with macaroni and ground beef. It's ready in about 30 minutes.
"American chop suey" and "New England chop suey" are terms often used interchangeably in the U.S. Both dishes typically feature elbow macaroni, ground beef, onions, and a tomato-based sauce.
This American pasta dish is a breeze to make. With just basic and affordable ingredients, a large pot (a Dutch oven works great), and about 30 minutes, it's also a super quick recipe!
Try more American classics: Old-Fashioned Baked Mac and Cheese, Crispy Chicken Burger, or Old-Fashioned Sweet Potato Casserole. Or try The Best Spaghetti with Ground Turkey next.
Jump to:
⭐️Why will you love this recipe?
- Quick and easy: Ready in just about 30 minutes, making it ideal for busy days.
- Simple ingredients: You will need basic and affordable items, keeping it budget-friendly. Check out more penny-saving pasta dishes: Hot Dog Pasta, Cream Cheese Pasta or Leftover Pasta Bake.
- Comforting flavors: The combination of elbow macaroni, ground beef, and tomatoes creates a delicious and satisfying dish.
- Minimal effort: Requires only a large pot, such as a Dutch oven, making cleanup a breeze.
🍲What is American chop suey?
Despite its name, American chop suey bears little resemblance to the Chinese-American dish known as Chop Suey. Originating from New England, this comfort food is also referred to as American goulash or Johnny Marzetti. Throughout the country, you might encounter variations such as macaroni red, beef-a-roni, or chili mac (although the latter typically includes some added heat).
While the Chinese dish is served over rice, the New England-style American Chop Suey is rooted in Italian flavors. And speaking of Italian flavors, try our Chicken Pomodoro Recipe or the Creamy Pesto Gnocchi.
📋Recipe ingredients and substitutions
- Elbow macaroni is the classic choice for New England chop suey, but any small-shape pasta will do just fine.
- Ground beef: I prefer lean ground beef. If the beef is too fatty, drain the excess fat before adding the vegetables.
- Ground turkey, pork, or a mixture of pork and beef are also great. Or replace some of the beef with sweet Italian sausage meat.
- Vegetables: Onion, garlic, green bell pepper
- Tomatoes: Canned diced tomatoes, tomato paste, and tomato sauce (either homemade or your favorite brand). Instead of tomato sauce, you can use our Italian Tomato Sugo.
- Cheese: I usually use Cheddar. However, a combination of Parmesan and mozzarella is lovely as well. It is preferable to buy a block of cheese and grate it yourself, already grated cheese is not always melting very nicely.
- Stock or water: Just a small amount. If you have some stock, it is great; otherwise, water will do.
- Spices: Dried oregano, dried parsley, fresh parsley (optional), dried basil, salt, pepper, Worcestershire sauce.
- Other ingredients: Butter and sugar.
🍝Variations of chop suey
- American Goulash (East to Mid-Atlantic): pretty much the same recipe, but add about 2 teaspoons paprika to the sauce.
- Johnny Marzetti (Midwest): add some mushrooms and sausage meat to the main mixture. Spread the cooked pasta into a casserole dish, top with cheese (Cheddar and Italian blend cheese), and add the sauce and another layer of cheese. Bake in the oven.
- Chili Mac: add some cumin and chili powder, and one or two cans of beans, either only kidney beans or some black beans as well.
👩🏻🍳How to make New England chop suey?
Step #1: Add ground beef and cook, breaking the lumps (3 minutes).
Step #2: Add chopped peppers and cook for another 4 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Step #3: Add tomatoes, tomato paste and sauce, stock, herbs, sugar, salt, and pepper. Cook for 10 minutes, on medium-low, uncovered.
Step #4: Turn off the heat and add the grated cheese, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, and parsley.
Step #5: Drain the cooked pasta and add it to the pot.
Step #5: Combine everything and adjust the taste.
🔥Slow cooker version
- Cook onion, garlic, ground meat, and pepper in the skillet as instructed above. Place in the slow cooker. Add all the other ingredients except the cheese, fresh parsley, Worcestershire sauce, and pasta.
- Cook on low for about 6 hours or on high for 3-4 hours; it depends on your slow cooker.
- Stir in the cheese and adjust the taste with salt, pepper, and Worcestershire sauce.
- Cook the pasta and mix it with the sauce.
🔊Expert Tips
Beef: Brown the ground beef well, allowing it to develop a deep, rich flavor. Drain excess fat for a leaner dish.
Balance the flavors: Taste as you go and adjust the seasoning accordingly. A pinch of sugar can help balance the acidity of the tomatoes.
Simmer for depth: Let the chop suey simmer for a bit after combining all the ingredients. This allows the flavors to meld, creating a more cohesive and delicious final dish.
❓Recipe FAQs
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat on the stove or in the microwave.
Yes, it freezes well. Allow it to cool completely before transferring to a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.
Serve immediately on a plate or in a bowl. The usual accompaniment is buttered white bread. Add an extra dash of Worcestershire sauce if desired. You can top the New England chop suey with freshly grated Parmesan as well.
🍽️What to serve with it?
Sign up for our Newsletter to receive new, quick, and delicious recipes in your inbox occasionally! Find me sharing daily meal-time inspiration on Pinterest and Facebook
Give my quick recipes a try for your next family meal! Feel free to reach out if you need any assistance!
📖 Recipe
New England Chop Suey
Equipment
- Large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot
Ingredients
- 1 lb elbow macaroni
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 onion , large
- 2 garlic cloves
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 green bell pepper
- 1 can diced tomatoes 14 oz can/ 400 g
- 1 lb tomato sauce
- ½ cup tomato paste
- ½ cup chicken stock or vegetable stock, from a cube is fine
- 2 teaspoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon fine sea salt or Kosher
- 1 cup Cheddar Note
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce more to taste
- 2 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley optional
Instructions
- Cook pasta: Fill a large pot with hot water for the pasta. During the time it takes to come to a boil, start preparing and cooking the rest of the dish. When the water boils, add salt generously and then the pasta. Cook according to the packet's instructions.1 lb elbow macaroni/ 450 g
- Chop: Heat a large skillet and use the time to chop the onion and the garlic.1 onion + 2 garlic cloves
- Cook the onion in the butter with a pinch of salt on low heat for about 3 minutes. Add garlic and stir for another minute.1 tablespoon butter
- Brown beef: Increase heat to medium. Add ground beef and stir well, breaking the lumps of meat. Cook until browned, about 3 minutes.1 lb ground beef/ 450 g
- Add pepper: In the meantime, dice the green pepper. Add to the pot and cook for another 4 minutes, stirring occasionally.1 green bell pepper
- Simmer American chop suey: Add canned tomatoes, tomato paste, tomato sauce, stock or water, dried oregano, basil, parsley, sugar, salt, and pepper to the skillet with the sauce. Stir well. Cook for about 10 minutes, on medium-low, uncovered, stirring occasionally.1 can diced tomatoes + 1 lb tomato sauce/ 450 g + ½ cup tomato paste/ 130 g + ½ cup chicken stock/ 125 ml + 2 teaspoon sugar + 1 teaspoon dried oregano + 1 teaspoon dried basil + 1 teaspoon dried parsley + 1 teaspoon fine sea salt + ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- Add cheese: Turn off the heat and stir in the grated cheese until melted.1 cup Cheddar/ 115 g
- Adjust the taste with Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper. Add fresh parsley if using.1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce + 2 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
- Add pasta: Drain the cooked macaroni, mix with the sauce, and stir well to coat.
Slow cooker instructions:
- Cook on the stovetop: Cook the onion in the butter with a pinch of salt for 3 minutes on low heat. Add garlic and stir for 1 minute. Add ground beef and cook until browned, about 3 minutes, on medium heat. Break the lumps while it cooks. Add pepper and cook for another 4 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, stock, dried herbs, sugar, salt, and pepper, and mix well.
- Cook in the slow cooker: Transfer everything to the slow cooker. Cook on low for about 6 hours and on high for 3-4 hours, depending on your slow cooker.
- Add cheese and stir to melt. Adjust the taste with salt, pepper, and Worcestershire sauce. Stir in fresh parsley.
- Cook the macaroni according to the packet’s instructions and mix the pasta with the sauce.
Notes
- Pasta: You can use any small shape pasta.
- Meat: Ground turkey, pork, or a mixture of pork and beef are also great. Or replace some of the beef with sweet Italian sausage meat.
- Cheese: You can also use a mixture of Parmesan and mozzarella or another good-melting cheese of your choice. It’s preferable to grate the cheese yourself; already grated cheese has funny stuff inside that often stops it from melting well.
D says
Hi
What is 1lbs. of tomato sauce? 16 ozs.?
Thanks!
Adina says
Hi. Yes, 16 oz or 450 g.