American Chop Suey (Secret Recipe Club)

by Dorothy Reinhold on January 25, 2015


Print This Post Print This Post American Chop Suey | Goulash, Johnny Marzetti, Macaroni and Beef Recipe | ShockinglyDelicious.com

What’s your comfort food? I’m always willing to try someone else’s comfort food. Who knows…perhaps it will supplant my own need for eggplant Parmigiana!

Oh, who am I kidding. A big, honkin’ salad is my comfort food. As is a bowl of mashed potatoes. As is pasta with pesto. As is steaming bread fresh from the oven. As is tortilla soup. I could go on.

But there’s a new comfort food luring me, and it belongs to Amy over at the blog Fearless Homemaker.

She made American Chopped Suey, and I did a double take. What’s so chop suey about ground beef, onions and peppers simmered in stewed tomatoes and spices, over pasta? Just about EVERYTHING, it turns out. There are no bean sprouts, water chestnuts and crunchy noodles to be found; instead, this dish is more about the American Melting Pot.

Ingredients for American Chop Suey on ShockinglyDelicious.comCooking American Chop Suey on ShockinglyDelicious.comThis dish, as she explains, was Massachusetts/New Hampshire/Maine/Rhode Island/Connecticut/New Jersey comfort food. But it also goes by so many other names in the rest of the country, as I discovered when searching around online. Clearly, everyone wants a piece of it.

  • American Goulash (upstate New York, Pennsylvania)
  • Goulash (Oklahoma, Iowa, Midwest)
  • Slumgullion (Pennsylvania Dutch)
  • Cinnamon Chili Mac (Kansas)
  • Macaroni Red (Kansas)
  • Johnny Marzetti (Ohio)
  • Hamburger Casserole
  • Macaroni and Beef

American Chop Suey comfort food | Goulash, Johnny Marzetti, Macaroni and Beef Recipe | ShockinglyDelicious.comWherever you’re from and whatever you call it, be sure to set me a place at the table!

American Chop Suey (Secret Recipe Club)

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour, 15 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour, 20 minutes

Yield: Serves 6-8.

This dish goes by many names -- American Chop Suey, Goulash, Johnny Marzetti, Slumgullion, Hamburger Casserole...it's comfort food whatever you call it.

Ingredients

  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 (14-ounce) package fajita mix vegetables (red onion, colored bell peppers) {see NOTE below}
  • 1 pound 85/15 ground beef
  • 1 tablespoon minced garlic (I used Gourmet Garden Organic Garlic Paste)
  • 2 teaspoons paprika
  • 1 teaspoon Gourmet Garden Chili Pepper Paste (or 1/4-1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes)
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 (28-ounce) can whole peeled tomatoes
  • 1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce
  • 1 (6-ounce) can tomato paste
  • 1 pound elbow macaroni
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • Garnish: Grated Parmesan cheese and freshly-chopped parsley or basil (optional)

Directions

  1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet or pot over medium-high heat. Add fajita vegetables and sauté until softened, about 7-8 minutes, stirring frequently. Add ground beef and sauté another 5 or so minutes, until beef is cooked. Add garlic, paprika, chili paste, sugar and cinnamon and stir.
  2. Add in whole tomatoes (and juice), crushing the tomatoes with your hand as you add them (wear an apron because they squirt!). Add tomato sauce, tomato paste and 1 paste-can of water. Stir well to combine. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low and simmer, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until sauce thickens, 45-60 minutes.
  3. When sauce is nearly done, cook pasta according to package directions, reducing the cooking time by 1-2 minutes. Drain pasta well and transfer pasta to pot of sauce, stirring gently to combine well. Taste and add more salt and pepper to your liking (if needed). If you used salted tomato products, you might not need much additional salt. Cook about 10 more minutes, until everything is bubby and combined.
  4. Serve hot with grated Parmesan cheese and a garnish of parsley or fresh basil.
  5. Serves 6-8

Notes

Recipe source: Adapted from American Chop Suey at Fearless Homemaker. She gives credit to FromAway.com

Note: If you don't want to use pre-cut fajita vegetables, substitute an onion and a bell pepper (any color), chopped.

https://www.shockinglydelicious.com/american-chop-suey/

American Chop Suey | aka Goulash, Johnny Marzetti, Macaroni and Beef Recipe | Shockingly DeliciousSecret Recipe Club button on Shockingly DeliciousAs I mentioned, this idea came from Nashville-based Amy over at Fearless Homemaker. I was assigned her blog as part of Secret Recipe Club, a sort of secret-Santa project for food bloggers. We are to quietly explore and cook for a month from this secret blog, and today is our reveal day of the recipe we have chosen to present.

Amy is culinarily creative and so many of her recipes struck a chord with me. I found lots of inspiration, and I have my eye on her…

Can you tell I was in a comfort food mood while looking at her lovely blog? Thanks, Amy, for lots of inspiration this month, and for the delicious ideas.

Meanwhile, browse the photo array below to see what else the Secret Recipe Club cooked up this month.


{ 39 comments… read them below or add one }

Melissa January 26, 2015 at 2:34 pm

I’m in the goulash category and it was definitely a staple in my house as I grew up. I haven’t had it in years though. This is making me want to give it a try as an adult! Great pick this month 🙂

Reply

Dorothy Reinhold January 27, 2015 at 10:41 am

Thanks Melissa! As a west coaster, it was new to me, but I can see why it is so popular.

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Erin @ Dinners, Dishes, and Desserts January 26, 2015 at 1:08 pm

A big bowl of pasta is definitely my comfort food!

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Dorothy Reinhold January 27, 2015 at 10:41 am

Erin,
Agreed! Hard to go wrong with pasta.

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Emily @ Life on Food January 26, 2015 at 12:55 pm

I am loving all of the veggies in this dish. I need a good way to add veggies to my diet in the winter since cold salads are just not appetizing. Happy Reveal Day!!

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Dorothy Reinhold January 27, 2015 at 10:41 am

Emily,
Comfort food with veggies — perfect!

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Diane {Created by Diane} January 26, 2015 at 12:08 pm

looks like a really great dish, I bet it was delicious!

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Dorothy Reinhold January 27, 2015 at 10:42 am

Thanks Diane, it was!

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Tara January 26, 2015 at 11:31 am

Never heard of American Chop Suey before. It looks delicious! Will definitely have to try it.

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Dorothy Reinhold January 27, 2015 at 10:42 am

Tara,
Me either! Put it on your list!

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The Wimpy Vegetarian January 26, 2015 at 10:56 am

Wow – I’ve never heard of American Chop Suey! I love this idea for a dish – so hearty and warming for when we’re in the mountains! Great pick this month!!

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Dorothy Reinhold January 27, 2015 at 10:43 am

Susan/Wimpy,
Oh yes, great mountain food.

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Jess @ Flying on Jess Fuel January 26, 2015 at 10:53 am

Looks awesome! I haven’t had this since I was a kid, but I think that needs to change!! 🙂

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Dorothy Reinhold January 27, 2015 at 10:43 am

Jess,
Refresh your childhood memories!

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Meagan @ A Zesty Bite January 26, 2015 at 10:28 am

This is perfect comfort meal that can be made on any day.

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Dorothy Reinhold January 27, 2015 at 10:43 am

Meagan,
You’re right. It’s great for any night of the week.

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Alisa @ Go Dairy Free January 26, 2015 at 8:29 am

What a fun event! I remember ordering Chop Suey in a rural diner once and being so disappointed when Asian food didn’t arrive! That was many years ago – now I appreciate this American classic, and your veggie-rich version looks amazing Dorothy!

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Dorothy Reinhold January 27, 2015 at 10:44 am

Alisa,
I had the same thought…where the heck are the Asian vegetables, bean sprouts, etc.? It was fun to research the background of this dish and realize it was renamed everywhere it traveled.

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Sally Newton January 26, 2015 at 7:52 am

Great pick, Dorothy! Amazing how much I love this dish, and it totally went out of my radar, have not had it in a decade or so.

Thanks for bringing it back to my comfort zone…

HAPPY REVEAL DAY!

(I had to stop here and say hello, even though I should be away from the computer…)

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Dorothy Reinhold January 27, 2015 at 10:45 am

Sally,
Oh, you are familiar with this? Now I feel really out of it, if Brazilians know about it!

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SallyBR January 27, 2015 at 4:47 pm

You know, my knowledge of the chop suey is actually from my teenage and young adulthood in Sao Paulo. Very popular Chinese dish back home, at least it was. Probably it is all changed now, and other dishes gained popularity.

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Sarah E January 26, 2015 at 7:23 am

When I saw this and looked at it, I was like “that looks like goulash” and then scrolled down to the regional terminology guide 🙂 I like all the veggies in it! Will have to try this next time I make goulash! Happy reveal day!

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Dorothy Reinhold January 26, 2015 at 7:30 am

Sarah,
I have been missing out all these years, not knowing about it. I guess Californians didn’t get the memo on this dish!

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Lauren @ Sew You Think You Can Cook January 26, 2015 at 6:34 am

Wow who knew there were so many names for this!?
I don’t know if I have a comfort food! Maybe mashed potatoes? Pizza is always a winner… baby back ribs?!

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Amy @ Fearless Homemaker January 26, 2015 at 6:33 am

Oh, I am SO thrilled that we had each other this time! I had such a blast going through your blog and I seriously bookmarked so many recipes to try. Including, your green bean fries, chickpea chile soup, spinach balls, chicken kale stew, skillet gnocchi, and more. But really, those falafel burgers that I decided on were SO so amazing. I already made another batch of the mixture, so I’ll be having one for lunch today, too! =D I’m so thrilled you liked this American Chop Suey, and I love your write-up on it. Aren’t all the different names neat? Cheers on Reveal Day! Amy

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Dorothy Reinhold January 26, 2015 at 7:17 am

Thanks Amy! It’s fun to have reciprocal blogs! Loved your version of the falafel, and your photos are fantastic! It’s funny, when something really strikes a chord, even food bloggers can repeat recipes. 🙂

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Wendy, A Day in the Life on the Farm January 26, 2015 at 4:46 am

We call it Goulash here in our household as well. My mouth is watering. Great choice this month.

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Dorothy Reinhold January 26, 2015 at 7:18 am

Wendy,
I don’t remember having this particular dish in my youth, but I do remember my dad calling something slumgullion. Funny, all those names.

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Karen January 26, 2015 at 3:00 am

Mmmmm – spicy and VERY tasty! What a GREAT idea and SRC pick – LOVE it for this time of year too! Karen

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Dorothy Reinhold January 26, 2015 at 7:19 am

Karen,
Thanks! It might be perfect comfort food for the rest of the country about to get hit by big weather.

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Karen @ Karen's Kitchen Stories January 25, 2015 at 10:39 pm

As a west coaster, I have never heard of American chop suey. For us, it’s a sort of goopy take on Chinese stir fry. Totally interesting how the regions of the US are so different!

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Dorothy Reinhold January 26, 2015 at 7:19 am

Karen,
Me too. Never heard of such a thing here in Calif. but I can see why the rest of the country makes it!

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Camilla @ Culinary Adventures January 25, 2015 at 10:24 pm

Wow. This looks delicious. Thanks for sharing.

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Dorothy Reinhold January 26, 2015 at 7:19 am

Thanks Camilla!

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Lynn @ Turnips 2 Tangerines January 25, 2015 at 9:37 pm

Happy Reveal Day~ In my part of the country, Northern Wisconsin, we call this dish Chili Mac:) Looks delicious, no matter what it’s called. Lynn @ Turnips 2 Tangerines

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Dorothy Reinhold January 26, 2015 at 7:20 am

Lynn,
I really did enjoy learning more about this dish. I had no idea of all the names it goes by, and how everyone claims it as their own.

Reply

Dorothy Reinhold January 27, 2015 at 10:40 am

Not Just Baked,
New England roots? Midwestern roots?

Reply

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