One of the other things that helps make the pasta in this dish so flavorful is actually letting it cook in the sauce. This particular sauce formula makes a nice thick tomato gravy that really fuses with the elbow macaroni.ī y the way, if you only have whole tomatoes in your pantry, you can crush them yourself, juice and all, with a food processor or immersion blender for a simple substitute. Using crushed instead of diced tomatoes serves one purpose – making sure every piece of the pasta clings to just as much of the tomato sauce as possible. The diluted version of the potent paste is less harsh (requiring less cooking time to mellow) but still a great way to enrich the cooking liquid.ĭon’t be tempted to make this American chop suey with tomato soup, though, since it’s a very different animal that’s diluted even more and usually has some added milk or cream. Tomato sauce is a combination of tomato paste and water, with a few additional spices or flavorings. Tomatoes are really the most prominent ingredient, and this recipe accentuates the full spectrum of flavors – from bright and acidic to rich and sweet – by using tomato sauce and crushed tomatoes. Next, we add a flavorful blend of 80/20 ground beef to create a meaty, substantive base that’s rich enough to hold its own against the hearty tomato sauce. I use a little butter to saute the aromatics and green pepper which adds some extra richness right off the bat.īutter is actually used in Italian cooking, believe it or not, not just olive oil, so that’s not necessarily an American addition. Basically, all you do is saute the aromatics, brown the beef until cooked through, add the tomato products, seasoning, and spices and simmer, then add the pasta and when it’s al dente, top with Loads of mozzarella! How do you make American Chop Suey?Īmerican Chop Suey is really simple to prepare and comes together in just one pot (hooray for fewer dishes!). This dish has tons of concentrated tomato flavor, lots of classic Italian herbs like basil and oregano, and plenty of mozzarella. There’s also a Goulash dish that’s similar (here’s my version of American Goulash ), but the truth is if you compare the two – American chop suey vs goulash, you’ll find the latter lacks the strong Italian-American influence you see in most American Chop Suey recipes. It’s a popular dish there that’s served at home, in restaurants, and even in school cafeterias, and it’s the one part of the country that consistently uses that name.ĭepending on where you are and regional seasoning variations, it may be called Chili Mac, Beefaroni, or Johnny Marzetti Casserole (after an Ohio-based restaurant). When people think of American chop suey New England comes to mind (there’s an American chop suey Wahlburgers version from the famous Boston-based hamburger chain). It’s definitely a family-specific kind of recipe, too, with subtle (or not-so-subtle) changes depending on who’s making the dish.Įach family is also pretty adamant that theirs is the best. It’s popular throughout the country especially in the Midwest, the South, and New England.Īmerican Chop Suey is one of many family recipes that have been handed down to me over the years, and this particular one is a favorite on my husband’s side. What is American Chop Suey?Īmerican Chop Suey is a classic American one pot dish consisting of beef, pasta, and a thick tomato sauce. The Mandarin word for these “odds and ends” is tsa sui, and shap sui is Cantonese for “mixed bits,” so it’s easy to see how the pronunciation evolved to the name we use now. These resourceful chefs had to make the most of what they had, which undoubtedly resulted in some unusual stir-frys. The good news is the recipes for American Chop Suey are definitely not an afterthought they’re a wonderful, deliberate combination of tasty ingredients you can serve for dinner without having to trick your children.Īs the name suggests, chop suey has some Chinese origin, though it’s possibly the brainchild of Chinese-American immigrants working on the railroads during the 1840s’ Gold Rush. Rumor has it “chop suey” is a provocative name some parents use to lure children to the dinner table on just such an occasion! It can apparently be an effective tool for eliminating the groans and grumbles that often accompany these “creative” meals. Unfortunately, some days we’re stuck making do with what we have, combining whatever’s looming in the fridge or pantry to cook a “unique” (i.e., unpopular) dish. We’ve all been there – exhausted after a long day and surrounded by a chorus of, “What’s for dinner?” Pin it to your DINNER BOARD to save for later! Be Sure To Follow Gonna Want Seconds on Pinterest for more great recipes! Winner, winner, it’s American Chop Suey for dinner! This Americanized classic is a favorite coast-to-coast, with savory bits of ground beef in a hearty tomato sauce, mingling with tender macaroni and melty mozzarella.
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