
Classic American Chop Suey is a mixture of pasta and ground beef with onions and green peppers.
My version is VERY EASY to make! It is like a pasta e fagioli with pork and beans and ground beef . NO onions or green peppers!
Only 4 INGREDIENTS are in it: ground beef, elbow pasta, tomato sauce, and a can of pork and beans, undrained.
Most people wouldn’t think of adding a can pork and beans with the juice to a tomato sauce. I’ve told people to mix it, and at first they go “NO WAY!” But after they’ve tried it, they are so surprised that it really is very good!
I don’t know why, but this became our family tradition to take to the beach. I put it in a large thermos jug container to keep it hot and bring it along. Here is the next generation at the beach eating American Chop Suey! Somehow the hamburgers and hot dogs at the concession stand have no appeal! If we go to the beach someone will ask for this Chop Suey.
See a few pictures of some of us eating American Chop Suey at the beach in the slideshow below.
Enjoy!
American Chop Suey
Ingredients
- ¾ pound elbow pasta
- 1 can (11 ounces) pork and beans undrained
- 24 ounces tomato sauce
- 1 pound ground beef
Instructions
- In a large pot of salted water, boil the pasta until tender. Drain and return the pasta to the large pot. Set aside.
- While the pasta is boiling, in a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef. Drain any grease.
- Add the ground beef to the cooked pasta, stir in the tomato sauce and the can of pork and beans with the juice.
Our traditional beach supper! Most requested.
All the kids ask for this at the beach!
HI Maryann! Tomato sauce is just pure tomatoes simmered down and is thinner than a pasta sauce or a spaghetti sauce, which has oil and spices added, and in many recipes the sauce making starts with a tomato paste. You can use either the tomato sauce or the pasta or spaghetti sauce, whichever one you have on hand really, it doesn’t matter. I like it plainer tasting, less spicy. The pork and beans add their own flavor. Use whatever sauce YOU like and it will be great! 🙂
Thank you very much, it will be on the table for dinner this upcoming week
do you mean tomato sauce or pasta sauce