Name: Spicy American Chop Suey Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1.5 lbs. ground beef, 85% lean; 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning; 2 teaspoons seasoned salt; ½ teaspoon garlic powder; 3 tablespoons tomato paste; 1 cup diced onion; 1 cup diced green pepper; 1 stick celery, diced; 4 cloves garlic, minced; 14.5 oz. diced tomatoes, undrained; 16 oz. tomato sauce; 2 ½ cups chicken broth, or beef broth; 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce; 2 cups elbow macaroni, uncooked; 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, optional

There’s something incredibly comforting about a one-pot meal that packs a punch, and that’s exactly what this Spicy American Chop Suey Recipe brings to the table. It’s hearty, full of bold flavors, and downright easy to whip up on a busy weeknight. Trust me, you’ll want to keep this one in your regular dinner rotation.

A close-up view of a white pot filled with a mix of cooked elbow macaroni pasta, ground meat, diced green bell peppers, and tomatoes in a thick, reddish-brown sauce. The pasta is evenly coated by the sauce, and the meat and vegetable pieces are scattered throughout. A wooden spoon is partially inserted into the pot, stirring or serving the dish. Steam rises gently, showing the food is hot. The background is a white marbled texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Spicy American Chop Suey Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Spicy American Chop Suey Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Spicy American Chop Suey Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

This Spicy American Chop Suey Recipe is one of my all-time favorites because it hits all the marks—comforting textures, a perfect spicy kick, and simplicity in every step. When I make it at home, everyone, from picky eaters to spice lovers, ends up asking for seconds.

One-Pot Convenience: Everything cooks in a single pot, which means minimal cleanup and maximum flavor melding.
Bold, Layered Flavors: With garlic, Italian seasoning, and a little Worcestershire sauce, this isn’t your typical chop suey—it’s got a spicy twist that wakes up your palate.
Customizable Heat Level: You control the spice with simple additions like hot sauce or jalapeños, making it just right for your taste buds.
Family-Friendly and Filling: Packed with ground beef, veggies, and pasta, it’s a balanced meal that satisfies everyone at the table.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this Spicy American Chop Suey Recipe has a purpose — from the rich tomato base to the crunchy veggies adding texture and freshness. I’ve picked them specifically to create that perfect balance of spicy, savory, and hearty, so no surprises on flavor here!

Flat lay of ground beef in a small mound, a few fresh Italian seasoning sprigs, a small white bowl with seasoned salt, a small white bowl with garlic powder, a small white bowl of rich red tomato paste, a small pile of diced white onion, a small pile of diced green bell pepper, a few celery stalks diced, four whole garlic cloves unpeeled, a small white bowl of Worcestershire sauce, a small white bowl filled with undrained diced tomatoes, a small white bowl of smooth tomato sauce, a small white bowl filled with clear chicken broth, a portion of uncooked elbow macaroni pasta, a small pile of shredded cheddar cheese from a block, all arranged symmetrically on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Ground beef: The meaty foundation; 85% lean keeps it flavorful but not too greasy.
Italian seasoning: Adds savory herbs that brighten the sauce without overpowering it.
Seasoned salt: A quick way to boost overall flavor with a blend of spices.
Garlic powder and minced garlic: Double the garlic for that comforting, aromatic punch.
Tomato paste: Intensifies the tomato flavor and thickens the sauce perfectly.
Onion, green pepper, celery: Classic veggies for aroma, crunch, and natural sweetness.
Worcestershire sauce: Brings a subtle tang and umami that deepens the sauce complexity.
Diced tomatoes & tomato sauce: Base of the sauce, creating a luscious, saucy texture.
Chicken broth: Keeps the sauce moist and infuses gentle savoriness; you can swap for beef broth too.
Elbow macaroni: The pasta that soaks up all the flavors and keeps it fun and familiar.
Shredded cheddar cheese (optional): Melts into the hot dish for a creamy, cheesy finish if you’re feeling indulgent.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One thing I love about this Spicy American Chop Suey Recipe is how flexible it is. I often tweak it based on what’s in my fridge or how much heat I’m in the mood for. Don’t hesitate to make it your own!

Heat it up: I usually add a splash of my favorite hot sauce or toss in some diced jalapeños when sautéing the veggies to amp up the spice level—it really wakes up the whole dish.
Swap meats: When I want an extra flavor boost, I mix half ground beef with Italian sausage. It’s richer and even more satisfying.
Veggie boost: Tossing in frozen peas, corn, or even grated carrots adds color and nutrition without fuss.
Make it creamy: Stirring in a dollop of cream cheese at the end adds a silky texture that softens the spice gently.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Spicy American Chop Suey Recipe

The image shows a close-up of a white bowl filled with a single layer of macaroni pasta mixed with ground meat sauce. The macaroni pieces are light yellow and soft-looking, curled in shape. The ground meat is brown and finely crumbled, coated in a red sauce with visible chunks of red tomatoes and green bell peppers mixed evenly throughout. A metal fork is partially inserted into the food from the top right corner, with the handle resting on the pasta. The background is a white marbled texture. The lighting highlights the shiny, moist texture of the pasta and meat sauce. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Brown the Beef and Build Flavor

I start by browning the ground beef over medium-high heat—it usually takes about 8 minutes until it’s all nicely crumbled and cooked through. Draining the grease here is key to keeping it from getting too oily. Then, I add Italian seasoning, seasoned salt, garlic powder, and tomato paste right in the pot, stirring things together to really start layering that savory flavor base.

Step 2: Sauté the Veggies

Next, toss in the diced onion, green pepper, and celery. I cook these for about 4 minutes to soften them up while preserving a little bite. Garlic goes in last because it can burn easily; just a minute until fragrant is all it needs.

Step 3: Build the Sauce and Add Pasta

Now comes the saucy part—stir in tomato sauce, Worcestershire sauce, undrained diced tomatoes, and chicken broth. Then add uncooked elbow macaroni and give it all a good mix to combine. Bring it to a gentle boil, cover, and let the pasta do its thing. I like to unzip the cover halfway, gently scraping the bottom with a silicone spatula to prevent sticking, then cover it back partially. This step really helps achieve the perfect consistency without mushy pasta.

Step 4: Finish and Serve

When the pasta is tender but still has a little bite (I always taste a noodle to check), turn off the heat. If you’re a cheese fan like me, this is when you gradually stir in shredded cheddar—preferably fresh, not pre-packaged—to get that luscious melt. Then serve it hot and enjoy every spicy, cheesy bite!

Top Tip

Having made this Spicy American Chop Suey Recipe a dozen times, there are a few little tricks I swear by to get the best result every time.

Don’t Overcook the Pasta: The pasta will keep cooking even after you turn off the heat, so pulling it off a touch early avoids that mushy texture.
Fresh Cheese Matters: Using freshly shredded cheddar instead of pre-shredded helps the cheese fully melt and blend beautifully with the sauce.
Scrape the Pot: Running a spatula along the bottom between cook times prevents the macaroni from sticking and burning—trust me, it makes cleanup much easier too!
Adjust the Spice: I learned to add hot sauce gradually—start small and work your way up, so it’s just right for your heat tolerance.

How to Serve Spicy American Chop Suey Recipe

A white pot with three main layers inside: at the bottom, browned ground meat with a crumbly rough texture; on the left side, finely chopped white onions in small cube shapes; on the right side, chopped green bell peppers in medium chunks; and in the front bottom, light green celery pieces in small cubes. A blue spoon is placed inside the pot, slightly mixing the layers. The background is a white marbled texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

I love topping mine with a sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley or green onions—it adds a pop of color and fresh brightness. Sometimes, a little extra shredded cheddar on top before serving is a cheesy dream come true.

Side Dishes

For sides, a crisp green salad or steamed broccoli pairs nicely to lighten things up. Garlic bread or crusty rolls are great too if you want something to scoop up every last bit of that delicious sauce.

Creative Ways to Present

For family gatherings, I’ve served this in mini ceramic bowls with a garnish of sliced jalapeños and a dollop of sour cream for a festive, customizable touch everyone enjoys.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Before storing, I let it cool completely to avoid condensation that can make the pasta soggy.

Freezing

This dish freezes well when wrapped tightly. I portion it into freezer-safe containers, and it keeps great for up to 2 months. Just thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Reheating

I reheat leftovers gently on the stove over low heat, adding a splash of broth or water to loosen the sauce if it has thickened up. The cheese melts right back in, making it taste fresh again.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make this Spicy American Chop Suey Recipe vegetarian?

Absolutely! Swap the ground beef for plant-based crumbles or cooked lentils, and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth to keep all the flavor without the meat. Adding extra veggies like mushrooms or zucchini works wonders too.

What pasta works best in this recipe?

Elbow macaroni is classic and holds the sauce really well, but you can also use small shells, rotini, or even penne if that’s what you have on hand. Just adjust cook times according to the pasta shapes to avoid over or undercooking.

How do I control the spice level in this dish?

Start by adding jalapeños or hot sauce in small amounts, taste as you go, and remember that the spice can mellow as the dish sits. You can also tone down heat by adding a little cream cheese or extra cheese at the end.

Can I prepare this recipe in a slow cooker or Instant Pot?

Yes! For slow cooker, brown the beef first then combine all ingredients except pasta and cheese, cook on low for 4-5 hours, add pasta and cheese near the end. For Instant Pot, sauté browned beef, add veggies and sauce, pressure cook with pasta for 5 minutes, then stir in cheese. Both methods save time and simplify cooking on busy days.

Final Thoughts

This Spicy American Chop Suey Recipe holds a special place in my kitchen because it’s simple but never boring—just the right mix of hearty comfort and lively spice. If you’re looking for a flavorful meal that comes together quickly and makes everyone happy, give this recipe a try. You’ll be glad you did, and I’m sure it’ll become a favorite in your home too!