American chop suey is an American pasta casserole made with ground beef, macaroni and a seasoned tomato sauce,[1] found in the cuisine of New England and other regions of the United States.[2][3][4] Outside New England it is sometimes called American goulash or Johnny Marzetti, among other names.[5] Despite its name, it has only a very distant relation to the chop suey of Chinese and American Chinese cuisine.[4]

American chop suey
American chop suey
Alternative namesAmerican goulash
CourseMain dish
Place of originUnited States
Region or stateNew England
Serving temperatureHot
Main ingredientsMacaroni, ground beef, tomato-based sauce, various vegetables (usually green peppers and onions).
Similar dishesBeefaroni, cheeseburger macaroni, chili mac, Johnny Marzetti, macaroni with beef and tomatoes

Though this comfort food is influenced by Italian-American cuisine as well as older New England quick and practical meals like the "potato bargain" and "necessity mess," it is known as "American chop suey" both because it is a sometimes-haphazard hodgepodge of meat, vegetables and Italian seasonings,[6] and because it once used rice, a base ingredient in Chinese cuisine, instead of pasta.[4]

Standard American chop suey consists of elbow macaroni and bits of cooked ground beef with sautéed onions in a thick tomato-based sauce.[7] The dish can be served on a plate or in a bowl, usually accompanied by bread and often Worcestershire sauce.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Mendelson, Anne (29 November 2016). Chow Chop Suey: Food and the Chinese American Journey. Columbia University Press. ISBN 9780231541299. Archived from the original on 23 February 2024. Retrieved 4 April 2020.
  2. ^ Bedell, Malcolm. "Classics: American Chop Suey". From Away. fromaway.com. Archived from the original on 24 August 2016. Retrieved 22 August 2016.
  3. ^ "American Chop Suey Casserole". New England Today. newengland.com. Archived from the original on 17 September 2016. Retrieved 22 August 2016.
  4. ^ a b c KENJI LÓPEZ-ALT, J. "American Chop Suey: The Cheesy, Beefy, Misnamed Stovetop Casserole That Deserves a Comeback". Serious Eats. seriouseats.com. Archived from the original on 1 September 2016. Retrieved 22 August 2016.
  5. ^ Vargas, Sally Pasley (September 3, 2019). "Recipe: American chop suey is beloved comfort food served by families all over the country". Boston Globe. Archived from the original on February 12, 2020. Retrieved December 1, 2019.
  6. ^ Smith, Andrew F. (2007). The Oxford companion to American food and drink (illustrated ed.). Oxford University Press, USA. ISBN 978-0-19-530796-2. Retrieved 2010-10-08.
  7. ^ "What is American chop suey?". Ochef. Archived from the original on 2013-10-23. Retrieved 2013-10-28.