American chop suey is my go-to recipe for comfort food! Nothing ever seems to taste as good as Mom’s or Grandma’s, but this version is pretty close. This American chop suey—aka goulash—will surely bring back childhood memories.

american chop suey preparations

If you like a meaty chop suey, use extra ground beef, or make it with ground turkey. Green bell peppers are another possible addition, or sauté about 6 to 8 ounces of mushrooms along with the onion and ground beef.

american chop suey preparation in a skillet

How to Cook Pasta in Your Instant Pot

If you’re tired of pasta foaming and boil-overs, this method is a great alternative. Add the pasta and 2 quarts of water to the Instant Pot. Add 2 teaspoons of kosher salt. Use the manual settings and set it for half the lowest time required on the pasta package MINUS 1 minute. Do a quick release and drain. See this page for more details: Perfect Pressure Cooker Pasta

american chop suey in a bowl with parsley garnish
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Classic American Chop Suey

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American chop suey or goulash is comfort food for many people. This is a flavorful version, just like mom’s.

  • Author: Diana Rattray
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 7 servings 1x
  • Category: Pasta, Comfort Food, Ground Beef, Tomatoes
  • Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound elbow macaroni
  • 1 1/2 pounds ground beef
  • 1 cup diced onion (or more)
  • 3 cloves garlic (minced, more or less, as you like)
  • 2 (14.5-ounce) cans petite diced tomatoes
  • 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
  • 4 tablespoons tomato paste
  • Kosher salt, to taste
  • Ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Cook the macaroni in boiling salted water following the package directions (see the Instant Pot tips, below).
  2. Heat the butter or olive oil a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook for 3 minutes, stirring and breaking up frequently. Add the onions and continue cooking until the onions are translucent and the beef is no longer pink.
  3. Add the minced garlic and continue to cook for 1 minute longer. Add the tomatoes and tomato paste. Bring the sauce mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and cook for about 5 minutes longer. Taste and season with salt and pepper, as needed.
  4. Combine the sauce mixture and drained pasta and serve hot.

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closeup of american chop suey
american chop suey with ground beef and tomatoes in a large serving bowl
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