American Chop Suey

Make this hearty American Chop Suey recipe for dinner tonight. Also known as American Goulash, this classic recipe features elbow macaroni noodles cooked in a savory meat sauce and seasoned with fresh onions and bell peppers. It is an easy weeknight meal, full of nostalgia, that the whole family will love!

I know that sometimes it’s hard to find a quick and easy dinner recipe that doesn’t take a lot of fussy ingredients. This American Chop Suey recipe tastes great, fits the family-friendly bill, and contains mostly items I consider a staple in my pantry. Serve it with a fresh green salad and some dinner rolls for a complete, hearty meal!

Why is it called American Chop Suey?

Classic chop suey is a Chinese-style dish typically made with stewed meat and fried with bamboo shoots, bean sprouts, onion, or other vegetables. American Chop Suey, on the other hand, combines ground beef, macaroni noodles, and a seasoned tomato sauce. I guess the only thing they really have in common is that they are both somewhat haphazardly thrown-together meat dishes!

What are some different names for this classic comfort food?

American Chop Suey is the New England name for this hamburger casserole. Some also call it American Goulash or Johnny Marzetti, especially in the Midwest, where the name comes from a dish at a famous Ohio restaurant named Marzetti’s! I remember eating this casserole growing up in Rhode Island — it was a childhood favorite! 

American Chop Suey Ingredients

Here are the simple ingredients I use to make this classic casserole:

Cooked elbow macaroni – cooked to al dente

Ground beef

Kosher salt

Freshly ground black pepper

Yellow onion, chopped

Green bell pepper, chopped

Fresh garlic cloves, chopped

Jarred pasta sauce

Canned chopped tomatoes

Tomato paste

Worcestershire sauce

Italian seasoning

Freshly grated Parmesan cheese

You’ll find a detailed ingredient list in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post!

Can I make this pasta dish with ground turkey?

Yes, you can easily substitute ground turkey or ground pork for the ground beef in this recipe. Or make it meatless by omitting the ground meat altogether!

Other recipe variations

Consider adding the following items to your chop suey:

Mushrooms- You can use either a small can or 1 cup of fresh chopped mushrooms. Add and sauté them with the green peppers so they are nice and soft.

Dried or fresh herbs (Additional oregano or basil would go well in this dish.)

Mozzarella cheese- stir this in with the Parmesan cheese or top the pasta with cheese and let it melt for the last 15 minutes or so.

Spinach- stir fresh spinach as you sauté the peppers so it cooks down.

Soy sauce- this adds just a little tang and saltiness to the sauce.

How to make this American Chopped Suey Recipe

This easy dish comes together in just about an hour and in only a few simple steps!

Prepare: First, I preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Then I prepare an 8 X 8-inch baking dish by spraying it with cooking spray.

Boil: Next, I set a large pot of salted water to boil. I add the elbow macaroni and cook according to the package directions for al dente pasta. Then I drain the water and set it aside until I’m ready to assemble the casserole.

Brown: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, I cook the ground beef until it is browned, breaking it up with a wooden spoon or fork as it cooks. Then I drain the fat from the beef, if needed, remove it from the skillet, and set it aside.

Sauté: In the same pan, over medium-high heat, I sauté the chopped onion, green pepper, and garlic in a little olive oil until tender. Then I return the beef to the skillet and stir everything together. Next, I pour in the spaghetti sauce, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, and Italian seasoning. I mix everything thoroughly and cook over medium heat until heated through. Then I remove it from the heat and stir in the Parmesan cheese.

Assemble and Bake: Now I add the cooked noodles to the meat sauce and stir to coat. Finally, I pour the entire contents into the prepared baking dish and bake uncovered for 30 minutes. You can also bake it in an oven-safe skillet if you prefer, and save having to clean an extra dish!

Recipe Notes

I like my pasta with a lot of sauce. If you feel the same, I suggest either covering it with foil as it cooks and/or using a bit less of the 8 ounces of cooked pasta called for in the recipe.

I much prefer this dish made and served from the skillet. The flavors, especially that of the green pepper, are more robust when made on top of the stove. It’s also a faster meal when made that way, so it’s great for a busy weeknight or when you have no idea what to make for dinner.

If you want to make it without baking in the oven, place the noodles in the sauce after everything else has been added. Cover and cook over medium-low heat for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.

How to store leftover American Goulash

Leftovers are best stored in an airtight container in the fridge. They will stay fresh for up to 4 days! I just reheat it in the microwave, but you could also use the stovetop or oven to reheat it.

Can I make American Chop Suey ahead of time?

Yes, this recipe is a great make-ahead recipe! Follow the recipe as directed until you are ready to bake it. At that point, cover with aluminum foil and refrigerate for up to 4 days. When you are ready to finish the recipe, go ahead and bake it at 350 degrees for 45-60 minutes or until heated throughout.

I would not recommend freezing this dish. Once thawed, pasta becomes mushy and unappetizing. You could make the meat sauce and freeze it separately, then thaw it to use in the recipe at a later time.

More great ways to use ground beef

Ground beef is such a versatile ingredient and helps make any recipe more satisfying. Here are some of my favorite ground beef recipes:

Topping the list is my mother’s Lasagna Recipe. So hearty and full of flavor, this dish is one my family requests again and again. It’s also a great casserole to take to new moms and freezes well. You can also make lasagnas to give to families and people in need as a Lasagna Love volunteer like I do!

With the meat inside, the sauce ladled over, and the melty cheese to top it all off, these Stuffed Green Peppers really do hit the spot.

This easy Shepherd’s Pie or Cottage Pie recipe is made of ground beef, veggies, and corn in a delicious gravy, and is topped with creamy mashed potatoes.

These Slow Cooker Sloppy Joes are perfect for a busy weeknight dinner. Remember to add the cheese on top!

Combine premade crescent rolls and a filling made from scratch to get deliciously savory Taco Pockets! They make the perfect appetizer for Game Day, a potluck, or when you’re feeding a large crowd!

Mozzarella Stuffed Meatballs are made with Parmesan and Romano cheeses, fresh herbs, and spices, and are filled with a cube of mozzarella cheese to give your family or guests a tasty surprise as they cut into it!

If you make this American Chop Suey recipe, please let me know what you think by leaving a comment or recipe review below.
Enjoy!

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This post was originally published January 2, 2012. It has been updated in format and with pictures on April 15, 2026.

The post American Chop Suey appeared first on 365 Days of Baking.