• 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.