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Easy American Chop Suey

By: Author Olivia Whalen

Posted on Last updated:

Growing up, this was a staple in our home. It is easy to throw together and does not require a lot of expensive ingredients. Our home was on a budget and now with a larger family, we budget our food spending, too! This easy American Chop Suey dish costs under $25 and can give you enough leftovers for a couple more meals!

Your traditional chop suey recipe typically calls for green bell pepper instead of green beans. My mom would swap between the two, mostly rolling frozen green beans into the recipe right before serving. It kept the recipe more budget friendly. I swap out for fresh green beans, as I always have an abundance coming from my garden! I actually prefer the green beans over the pepper, and my kiddos do too. They love sweet peppers but green peppers are not their thing.

Easy American Chop Suey

american chop suey

Ingredients:

  • 2 – 29 oz. cans of tomato sauce
  • 14.5 oz can of diced tomato
  • 6 oz. can of tomato paste
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • 1 large onion, chopped
  • 2 tbsp. olive oil
  • 1.5 pound ground hamburger
  • 3/4 pound fresh green beans, washed and trimmed
  • 1/2 cup water
  • black pepper and salt to taste
  • 1 tbsp. onion powder
  • generous pinch of freshly chopped or dried basil
  • 1 tbsp. Italian seasoning
  • 16 oz. box of elbow macaroni pasta

american chop sauce

 

Directions:

  1. In a large pot stovetop, combine tomato sauce, diced tomato, tomato paste and garlic. Stir until paste is mixed in well with sauces. Turn on low heat and allow to begin to simmer.
  2. Warm olive oil in a skillet and then add onions, sautéing until softened. Add in beef. Cook beef through, breaking it up and stirring consistently.
  3. Strain beef and onion mixture and add into sauce pan. 
  4. Place your washed and trimmed green beans into a pan with water and cover with lid, or if you own a steamer, steam them until slightly softened.
  5. Strain green beans and add to sauce. Then add pepper, salt, basil and Italian seasoning.
  6. Cook pasta in separate pot and add to sauce mixture. Or, place pasta directly in sauce and allow to cook. 

I have done this recipe in the crockpot as well. Get your sauce and meat mixture going and put on low! That way come dinner time all you have to do is boil a pot of water, cook your noodles and roll in to serve! It is a classic diner dinner recipe that leaves the entire family happily full. 

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Love, light and a little grace…

-Olivia