Name: Easy American Chop Suey with Ground Beef and Pasta Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 tablespoon olive oil; 2 lbs (900g) ground beef (90/10); 1 medium yellow onion, chopped; 4 cloves garlic, minced; 3 cups (730ml) beef broth; 29oz (820g) can tomato sauce; 28oz (790g) can diced tomatoes; 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce; 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning; 2 teaspoons garlic powder; 2 teaspoons paprika; Salt and pepper to taste; 2 bay leaves; 2.5 cups (375g) uncooked elbow macaroni noodles; 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese; Parsley for garnish

If you’re craving a hearty, comforting meal that brings together all the good things—ground beef, pasta, and a rich tomato sauce—then you’re going to absolutely love this Easy American Chop Suey with Ground Beef and Pasta Recipe. It’s one of those cozy dishes that’s perfect for weeknight dinners, and honestly, I find it kinda addictive once you try it. Let me share my favorite way to whip it up so you can impress your family or just treat yourself to a warm hug in a bowl!

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

One-Pot Wonder: Everything cooks in a single pot, meaning less cleanup and more time to enjoy your meal.
Comfort Food Classic: It’s a nostalgic dish for many, with a rich tomato-beef sauce that hits all the right cozy notes.
Flexible and Easy: Uses simple pantry ingredients and cooks up fast—perfect for busy weeknights.
Family Favorite: My family goes crazy for this dish, and I know yours will too once you serve it.

A close-up view of a white pot filled with a thick, rich macaroni and ground beef stew. The dish has three main layers: small elbow macaroni noodles in a creamy light orange sauce, dark brown cooked ground beef pieces, and small bits of bright red tomatoes mixed throughout. The stew is sprinkled with fresh chopped green herbs on top. A wooden spoon holds a scoop of the stew above the pot, showing the textures of the noodles, meat, and sauce. The background is a soft white marbled surface with some blurred green plants in the distance. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - American Chop Suey with Ground Beef and Pasta, hearty ground beef and pasta dinner, easy weeknight American Chop Suey, comforting beef pasta dish, quick American casserole

Ingredients You’ll Need

The charm of this Easy American Chop Suey with Ground Beef and Pasta Recipe lies in its simplicity—the ingredients all play key roles to build that rich flavor and satisfying texture. Here’s what I love about the ingredients and some tips when picking them up:

Flat lay of a small pool of golden olive oil in a white ceramic bowl, a mound of raw ground beef with a natural fresh texture, a medium yellow onion halved to show the layers, four cloves of peeled garlic, a white ceramic bowl filled with rich red tomato sauce, another white bowl with bright red diced tomatoes, a simple white ceramic bowl holding dark Worcestershire sauce, a small heap of dried Italian seasoning herbs, two white ceramic bowls each containing a fine light brown garlic powder and a vibrant rust-colored paprika powder, two fresh bay leaves lying flat, a neat pile of uncooked elbow macaroni noodles, a small white bowl filled with shredded cheddar cheese in a rich golden-yellow color, and a few sprigs of fresh parsley, all arranged symmetrically and naturally placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997 - American Chop Suey with Ground Beef and Pasta, hearty ground beef and pasta dinner, easy weeknight American Chop Suey, comforting beef pasta dish, quick American casserole

Ground beef: I always go for lean ground beef (90/10) so I get great flavor without too much grease.
Yellow onion: Adds a natural sweetness and depth—don’t skip it!
Garlic: Fresh minced garlic gives it a mouthwatering aroma; if you’re short on time, garlic powder can work too.
Beef broth: Boosts the meaty flavor and enriches the sauce—homemade or store-bought both work well.
Tomato sauce and diced tomatoes: These form the heart of your sauce; whole canned tomatoes crushed by hand also work if you want texture.
Worcestershire sauce: A secret umami booster that I discovered to take this dish from good to unforgettable.
Italian seasoning, garlic powder, paprika: These spices create a warm, layered flavor profile; don’t be shy here.
Bay leaves: Small but mighty—remind yourself to remove them before serving!
Elbow macaroni noodles: Classic choice, but you can swap with other small pasta shapes if you prefer.
Cheddar cheese: Melted on top at the end for that irresistible cheesy finish.
Fresh parsley: Brightens up the dish with a fresh herbal note—definitely worth chopping some up.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

This Easy American Chop Suey with Ground Beef and Pasta Recipe is a fantastic base that you can tweak to make entirely your own. Over the years, I’ve tried a few spins—some with veggies, some simpler—and it’s always a win. Feel free to add your twist!

Veggie Boost: When I want to sneak in some greens, I toss in diced bell peppers or mushrooms with the onions, and it adds an extra layer of flavor and texture.
Cheese Variations: I sometimes swap cheddar for mozzarella or a spicy pepper jack if I’m in the mood for a little kick.
Swap the Beef: Ground turkey or chicken work well if you want a leaner protein option.
Make It Spicy: Adding a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes during cooking gave me a nice gentle heat that everyone loved.

How to Make Easy American Chop Suey with Ground Beef and Pasta Recipe

Step 1: Brown the Beef and Sauté the Aromatics

Start by heating olive oil in a dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add your ground beef and cook until it’s completely browned—no pink left. Don’t rush this step because those browned bits add so much flavor later. Drain excess grease (I usually pour it off to keep the sauce from being oily) and set the beef aside. Next, toss in the chopped onion and cook it until translucent, about 3 minutes, then add the minced garlic and cook for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant. Keep an eye so the garlic doesn’t burn; it can happen fast!

Step 2: Build Your Flavorful Sauce

Return the browned beef to the pot along with beef broth, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, Worcestershire sauce, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, paprika, salt, pepper, and bay leaves. Stir everything to combine well, then bring the whole pot to a boil. Once boiling, lower the heat and cover it partially to let simmer for 10 minutes. This simmering step lets the flavors meld beautifully.

Step 3: Cook the Pasta Right in the Sauce

After simmering the sauce, stir in the uncooked elbow macaroni. Cover the pot again and lower the heat to a gentle simmer. Stir occasionally to keep the pasta from sticking to the bottom. This step takes about 10 minutes, and you’ll want to taste the noodles toward the end to ensure they’re perfectly al dente—soft but still with a little bite. If the sauce thickens too much, add a splash of water or beef broth to loosen it.

Step 4: Finish with Cheese and Garnish

Remove the dutch oven from heat and fish out the bay leaves. Stir in shredded cheddar cheese until melted and creamy, which adds a wonderfully rich finish you’ll love. Sprinkle fresh chopped parsley on top before serving for a pop of color and brightness.

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Pro Tips for Making Easy American Chop Suey with Ground Beef and Pasta Recipe

Don’t Skip Browning: Browning the beef well adds deep flavor, so take your time here and don’t crowd the pan.
Watch Your Pasta: Because the pasta cooks right in the sauce, stir frequently toward the end to prevent sticking and uneven cooking.
Adjust Liquid as Needed: Every stovetop is different; if your sauce reduces too fast, just add a bit more broth or water to keep a saucy consistency.
Remove Bay Leaves Before Serving: This is a small step but important; leaving them in can cause an unpleasant texture or taste surprises.

How to Serve Easy American Chop Suey with Ground Beef and Pasta Recipe

A white bowl filled with a warm dish made of soft elbow macaroni mixed with chunky pieces of browned meat and bits of tomato in a thick red sauce. The top is sprinkled with fresh green chopped herbs. In the background, there is another white bowl with the same dish and a small clear bowl filled with bright orange shredded cheese, all placed on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - American Chop Suey with Ground Beef and Pasta, hearty ground beef and pasta dinner, easy weeknight American Chop Suey, comforting beef pasta dish, quick American casserole

Garnishes

I love topping this dish with freshly chopped parsley—it adds a fresh, herbal note that brightens up the richness. Sometimes, I sprinkle a little extra shredded cheddar or even a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes if everyone’s feeling adventurous. A dollop of sour cream on the side isn’t traditional but actually quite delicious!

Side Dishes

This chop suey is pretty filling on its own, but if you want to add a couple sides, I recommend a crisp green salad with a tangy vinaigrette to cut through the richness. Garlic bread or soft dinner rolls are also my go-to to soak up any leftover sauce.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I’ve served this in individual ovenproof ramekins topped with cheese and broiled until bubbly and golden on top—it’s an instant crowd-pleaser. Another fun idea is to layer the chop suey in a casserole dish with extra cheese and bake it like a baked pasta dish for a slightly different texture.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftovers in airtight containers in the fridge, where they stay good for about 3 to 4 days. The flavors actually deepen overnight, so sometimes I prefer it the next day!

Freezing

This recipe freezes really well. I portion it out and freeze in freezer-safe containers or ziplock bags. Just make sure to cool it completely before freezing. It lasts up to 3 months, making it a perfect option for meal prep.

Reheating

When reheating, I gently warm it on the stove over low heat, adding a splash of broth or water to loosen the sauce because the pasta tends to soak up the liquid. Microwaving works too; just heat in short bursts and stir in between to keep it nice and creamy.

FAQs

Can I use a different type of pasta in this Easy American Chop Suey with Ground Beef and Pasta Recipe?

Absolutely! While elbow macaroni is traditional, small pasta shapes like rotini, shells, or penne all work great and will absorb the sauce nicely. Just keep an eye on cooking times—they may vary slightly.
Is there a way to make this recipe vegetarian or vegan?

Yes! You can substitute ground beef with plant-based crumbles or cooked lentils for a hearty, meatless version. Use vegetable broth instead of beef broth, and swap cheddar cheese for a vegan alternative or skip it altogether.
Why do I need to remove the bay leaves before serving?

Bay leaves add wonderful aroma during cooking, but they have a tough texture and sharp edges that aren’t pleasant to eat. Make sure to fish them out before serving to avoid any surprises in your dish.
Can I prepare any part of this recipe ahead of time?

You can brown the beef and sauté onions and garlic ahead of time, then store them in the fridge. When ready, just finish cooking the sauce, pasta, and assemble. This cuts down on your hands-on time when you’re ready to eat.

Final Thoughts

I absolutely love how this Easy American Chop Suey with Ground Beef and Pasta Recipe brings comfort and ease together in one pot. When I first tried making it, I was amazed at how quickly it came together without sacrificing flavor. It’s one of those recipes that feels like a warm hug after a long day, and I’m confident you’ll enjoy it just as much as my family does. So grab your pot and give it a go—your taste buds (and hungry belly) will thank you!