This delicious, comforting dish named American Goulash, aka American Chop Suey, aka Beef and Macaroni, has simple, economical, filling ingredients. Such as lean ground beef, green bell peppers, tomatoes, onions, garlic, and seasoned with herbs that are reasonably family-friendly and super simple to find at any market or local grocer.
If you grew up in the ’50s, ’60s, and 70’s across America, there is a 95% chance your parents or grandparents made this recipe for American Goulash at least once in your childhood. Now, some of you may know this recipe by the name American Chop Suey or even Beef and Macaroni with tomatoes. Whatever name you prefer to call, it is okay.
I spent part of my childhood in the Mid-West, Warren, Ohio, to be exact; in the ’70s, and our family called it American Goulash. Back then, our family recipe didn’t have cheese added to it, so I guess some of the recipes I have seen on the net are variations of the old-school method that my parents used. I’m not 100% sure, so if you feel the need for cheese, feel free to add some cheese to your American Goulash aka American Chop Suey recipe.
My father was the one who would usually whip this recipe up at least once every two weeks or so. How could he go wrong with us children? Did we love it? American Goulash is so yummy, simple, economical, and reasonably quick to throw together for dinner. There were no serious complaints from his peanut gallery that night; that’s for sure. We went back for seconds every time.
Ingredients needed for American Goulash
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One and 1/2 pounds of lean ground beef
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A splash of Worcestershire sauce
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A few pepper flakes
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1/4 of a teaspoon of Hungarian paprika
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Kosher salt to own taste
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Freshly cracked pepper to own taste
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One large yellow onion chopped
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One large green bell pepper diced
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Two teaspoons of minced fresh garlic
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Two-14.5-ounce cans of organic fire-roasted diced tomatoes
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One -8-ounce can of organic tomato sauce
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One tablespoon of organic tomato paste
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1/2 of a teaspoon dried garlic powder
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1/4 of a teaspoon dried onion powder
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One teaspoon of Italian herbs
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8 to 12-ounces of dry macaroni noodles cooked al dente
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Chopped parsley for the garnish, optional
Tips for the American Goulash
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Use lean ground beef of 93/7 to keep the fat content to a minimum in your recipe.
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Splurge and use a quality Worcestershire sauce if possible
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Do not use smoked Parika; the taste is too overpowering for this recipe.
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Organic tomatoes are preferred in this recipe due to the regular tinned tomatoes being too acidic and bitter.
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Be sure not to overcook the macaroni noodles. Follow the package instructions on the box for the al dente method of cooking.
Method
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In a large deep metal skillet on medium heat, add lean ground beef, a splash of Worcestershire sauce, a few pepper flakes, Hungarian Paprika, kosher salt, and pepper to own taste, and cook for about 5 minutes, breaking up the lean ground beef as you go.
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Add chopped onion, diced green bell pepper, and minced garlic to the metal skillet over medium heat and cook until ground beef is completely done. Drain the ground beef if necessary.
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Add two cans of organic fire-roasted diced tomatoes, one can of organic tomato sauce, organic tomato paste, garlic powder, onion powder, kosher salt, and pepper to own taste, to metal skillet; stir to mix ingredients with ground beef—Cook for about 15-20 minutes.
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Meanwhile, cook 8-12-ounces of macaroni noodles al dente, according to package directions. Drain the noodles, and do not rinse noodles. This helps the pasta to adhere to the noodles better.
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Combine the macaroni noodles and tomato beef mixture in a large serving dish, garnish with chopped parsley and serve immediately while hot.

American Goulash
Ingredients
- 1 ½ pounds Lean ground beef 93/7 80/20 can be substituted
- 1 splash Worcestershire sauce
- 1 pinch Red Pepper flakes or to own taste
- ¼ teaspoon Hungarian paprika
- Kosher salt to own taste
- Freshly cracked pepper to own taste
- 1 large Yellow onion chopped
- 1 large Green bell pepper diced
- 2 teaspoons Minced fresh garlic
- 2 14.5-ounce Cans of organic diced tomatoes
- 1 1.5-ounce Can of organic tomato sauce
- 1 tablespoon Organic tomato paste
- ½ teaspoon Garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon Onion powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian herbs
- 12 ounces Cooked macaroni noodles
- ¼ cup Chopped parsley to garnish
Instructions
- In a large deep metal skillet on medium heat, add lean ground beef, a splash of Worcestershire sauce, a few pepper flakes, Hungarian Paprika, kosher salt, and pepper to own taste, and cook for about 5 minutes, breaking up the lean ground beef as you go.
- Add chopped onion, diced green bell pepper, and minced garlic to the metal skillet over medium heat and cook until ground beef is completely done. Drain the ground beef if necessary.
- Add 2 cans of organic fire-roasted diced tomatoes, 1 can of organic tomato sauce, organic tomato paste, garlic powder, onion powder, kosher salt, and pepper to own taste, to metal skillet; stir to mix ingredients together with ground beef. Cook for about 15-20 minutes.
- Meanwhile, cook 8-12-ounces of macaroni noodles al dente, according to package directions. Drain the noodles and do not rinse noodles. This helps the pasta to adhere to the noodles better.
- Combine the macaroni noodles, tomato, and beef mixture in a large serving dish, garnish with chopped parsley and serve immediately while hot.
Notes
- Use lean ground beef of 93/7 to keep the fat content to a minimum in your recipe.
- Splurge and use a quality Worcestershire sauce if possible
- Do not use smoked Parika; the taste is too overpowering for this recipe.
- Organic tomatoes are preferred in this recipe due to the regular tinned tomatoes being too acidic and bitter.
- Be sure not to overcook the macaroni noodles. Follow the package instructions on the box for the al dente method of cooking.
Although themccallumsshamrockpatch.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures should be considered estimates. Varying factors such as product types or brands purchased, natural fluctuations in fresh produce, and how ingredients are processed change the effective nutritional information in any given recipe. Under no circumstances will themccallumsshamrockpatch.com be responsible for any loss or damage resulting from your reliance on nutritional information.
Nutrition
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26 Comments
Southern Macaroni and Tomatoes | The McCallum's Shamrock Patch
February 24, 2021 at 12:54 pm[…] American Goulash, aka American Chop Suey, aka Beef and Macaroni, has simple, economical, filling ingredients. Such as lean ground beef, green bell peppers, tomatoes, onions, garlic, and seasoned with herbs that are reasonably family-friendly and super simple to find at any market or local grocer. […]
Sara
October 7, 2019 at 4:48 pmThis American Goulash is one of my go-to comfort dishes when I’m missing home! So delicious and just like I remember the recipe my mom used.
hmccallum
October 9, 2019 at 9:38 amThank you so much, Ms. Sara, for the sweet comment and sharing today. I bet your mom’s recipe was fabulous too! Have a fab day!
Marlynn @UrbanBlissLife
October 7, 2019 at 1:28 pmSuch a delicious comfort food meal, great for fall! I’ve never heard it called American Chop Suey before. Love the flavors!
hmccallum
October 9, 2019 at 9:36 amThank you, so much, Marlynn, I really appreciate the sweet comment and glad you enjoy the recipe. Let me know if you make it. Have a wonderful day.
Iryna
October 7, 2019 at 11:44 amThis American Goulash aka American Chop Suey looks hearty and comforting! Perfect for cold autumn nights.
hmccallum
October 9, 2019 at 9:35 amI totally agree with Iryna, you just cannot go wrong with this recipe. So easy and filling.