American Chop Suey ~ A New England Favorite!

Let me share one of my most cherished personal recipes with you! Simple ingredients, quick and easy to make, and very economical, but don't let its simplicity fool you. This is one of New England's favorite dishes for a reason, and is sure to put a smile on your face!
RECIPE:
American Chop Suey ~ Established April 25, 1984
This recipe will make enough for a 1 pound box of elbow macaroni
1 28 oz. crushed tomatoes with puree
3 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil + 2 Tablespoons for the pasta
2 lbs. ground beef. GunBlue490's favorite is antelope or venison.
2 large green bell peppers - chopped
1 very large 4" onion - chopped
1 Tablespoons dried sweet basil
3/4 tsp. dried oregano
3/4 tsp. salt + 1 Tablespoon for the pasta
6 garlic cloves, minced
1 tsp. Worcestershire Sauce
1/4 tsp. crushed, dried red pepper, to taste
2 bay leaves
1 cup water or stock (chicken, beef, or vegetable)
DIRECTIONS:
Brown beef; drain off liquid and fat. Add chopped peppers and onions and cook covered for several minutes until onions begin to soften. Add garlic and remaining ingredients. Cover, bring to simmer for 15 to 25 minutes. Cook pasta in large pot of water with 2 tablespoons salt and 2 tablespoons olive oil, drain. Mix generous amount of recipe with pasta. The full recipe above will combine with one (1 pound) box of elbows.

[@Odysseuss.]

It's always a good day when it's a gun blue day!

[@monkeymanstones1]

Adding this video to "Favorites" because my mother made this twice (during the few months I knew her) when I was around 10 years old.

[@tjvohs1]

Thank you

[@Stargazer80able]

Great food is like great guns, it just brings a great smile to your face.

[@patmancrowley8509]

My school cafeteria provided, on Thursdays, "Cowboy stew" which had been most of the left-overs from Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday's lunch menu. Mrs. Garrett REALLY KNEW what she was doing and I always looked forward to it. I'm sure that her menu's were made with Thursday "cowboy stew" in mind. May GOD bless her soul and may JESUS pour forth HIS Divine Mercy upon her soul, forgive her her sin, and bring her to everlasting life. Amen.

[@mmoretti]

Hi, I am a first time watcher, your recollection of having that American Chop Suey on Valentines Day in Boston made me smile. I too had rather blah American Chop Suey in school cafeterias, but had a really great version of it at age 11, when my family went on our yearly camping trip to Arcadia State Park, it was made by the mother of a family in the camper next to ours. I too remembered the flavor but never had it until in my 30s (though I tried many recipes as an adult, until I found this one by on Simply Recipes. It doesn’t have all the herbs yours does, though it does use celery seed, crushed red pepper flakes and parsley, it uses Worcester sauce, onions, I added green bell pepper as I did remember that. A can of diced tomatoes, a pound of ground beef, salt and pepper, 2 cups of elbow macaroni and has you reserve a cup of pasta water. It was the exact taste I remembered.

[@mohammedcohen]

...I didn't think anyone else knew about this...thought it was something mom dreamed up WOW!!!

[@BenUDover]

God Bless you sir. ❤❤❤

[@drmcsorley]

While I appreciate this special recipe I have to say the highlight was listening to this sweet, sentimental man. They don't make them like this anymore!😊

[@peteshour768]

We were never so lucky to have such a good recipe. The Mess Hall shoveled the chop sued on the tray twice a day nearly everyday. It looked like just ground Beef,, tomatoes sauce a elbow macaroni. It was so bad we prefered to eating C rations and freeze dried LRRP rations, which we considered a deliciously at the time.

[@annakelleher7932]

I can’t wait to make this. Looks so delicious. I love that you used blessed salt. Many blessings to you sir and thank you serving our country. God bless you and your family and America.

[@oldArmyVet]

Thanks for the super good recipe!!! I can tell you, the Army don't cook like that anymore lol

[@us3rnam3ch3cks0ut]

The internet just doesn't get any more wholesome than this. Easily my favorite channel ever since I came across it.

[@carlgomm9699]

Such a nice show, I remember our mom teaching us how to make this in the late 60's, nearly the same way as what you show, like you Mom fixed the meat and veggies in separate dishes, this show has brought back some good memories of my past !!

[@slipit9]

Absolutely love this series. Watching this while sizing some new star line brass. Perfect morning. Cheers.

[@twintwo1429]

All right old man, you're getting to good at this game. Thanks for rekindling what we called " poor do" , goulash, chop suey and so on. Good things are always good things.

[@normanbuitta2171]

I add celery to my recipe with good results! Yes, brings back fond memories

[@caesarleon1]

Love the cooking videos. Fun occasional deviation from the typical content. Thanks for all you do, sir.

[@MTwoodsrunner]

A favorite in my home...we ate a ton of ACS growing up in sin city...I was at that same induction center in 71...though i don't believe we were served as good a lunch...atvb...woods

[@GunBlue490]

Lynn, Lynn...

[@MTwoodsrunner]

@@GunBlue490 ...The City of sin! LOL nailed it brother!

[@philippiscatella7816]

Another great cooking video by Chef GunBlue490

[@Hippo0529]

I enjoy watching you cooking quite a bit, I live in the west, so most of what you show I have never heard of!

[@gijoe508]

My gram had a grandfather clock that played that same tune, boy did that bring back memories

[@glenbaker4024]

Looks great, almost exactly like how I make it. I add 1 block of cream cheese to the meat. Delicious.

[@billyp333]

Thank you !!!!! Your videos are always fantastic

[@anonymousf8406]

Oh man i do like the cooking episodes...lol I would really like a wiskey and cigar review video as well....lol

[@ChiCan76]

This dish will be made in Calgary tonight for my family. Thank you for sharing.

[@GunBlue490]

My pleasure 😊

[@Isaac_5.56x45]

My favorite meal of all time, lived in MA my whole life and this is one of those meals that I personally associate with this area more than almost any other.

[@Jay-lc1nh]

My granma used to make it and we would eat it with brown flour gravey. Great fall/winter food.

[@snjspring]

I'd call this Goulash in the state of Oklahoma. Just realized you mention it at 17:50.

[@zman8340]

Can’t like this video any more . Thank you very much for sharing this with us. I will be trying for certain . Got bless you and yours as well sir !

[@rickbartley9255]

Your experience reminds me of all the great meals I enjoyed in the Navy. When others couldn't wait to get off the ship, I always looked forward to going down to the mess deck for a hot wholesome meal. I was always thankful for the food the cooks had prepared.

[@Ben-Wah]

My late uncle was in that respected-and-feared position on a destroyer. He said that in the Navy, there were three people you definitely didn't want to piss off: the corpsman, the paymaster and the cook.

[@misterx8592]

Exactly!

[@richardforrest5781]

Many folks haven't tried this. My grandfather used to eat this meal with peanut butter and bread. I still do. Growing up in Maine and New Hampshire we didn't have much money. Go ahead and try it!

[@seancampbell1383]

This looks spot on to what my great gram used to make. I’m going to make it for my mother and grandmother this week. Thanks for sharing.

[@josephr2766]

Hearing the clock chimes in your videos reminds me of childhood days spending time at my great aunt Philippa house. Memories of her telling me to calm down and that my horns were showing. Looking back at her and my other great aunts admonishing me in Italian. It’s amazing how something so simple brings back the memories and smiles.

[@iakazul]

American chop suey rules! Thank you for sharing.

[@Ryan-hw3xp]

Thank you for a great recipe from my Family in Utah!

[@asintonic]

Amazing thank you for sharing, it looks delicious. Before I got married 20 years ago to save up cash for about two years. I ate similar to your dish everyday. I had elbow macaroni in so many ways! To this day I still love elbow macaroni/ ground beef.

[@OldBiker54]

We ate it with a Spoon,as kids in Boston 60s

[@ericbergfield6451]

I tend to put garlic & jalapenos in every dish I make. I just love garlic, & the mild heat from jalapenos go so far!

[@georgemoomaw9437]

I am DEFIANTLY trying this. Not just because it looks good, but because of your shared history with this dish.

[@totallyjonesin]

I've been making it for over 30 years. I do a Mexican style with no oregano and one big tablespoon cumin and some skillet roasted corn..

[@bradleymiller437]

Notice how he keeps talking about how his school lunch was boring and how no matter how many times he made it, it wasn't it? That means it was goulash. It takes a very specific recipe in order to get to the American Chop Suey status.

[@mikehyatt7215]

Good people, good food, and some good fellowship. What else could you ask for?

[@MaxsMom-bv6hf]

Mainer here...some put in the green peppers, some don't. It's definitely a preference. I prefer it without and baked in the oven with American cheese slices melted on top.

[@boydrugger-wp3ld]

Thanks for all the help. Though I new everything..know alot but your help have made me better thank you sir for teaching me the right way to do. Thing you are a big help..thank God bless u and your family

[@southerncountryboy8]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us. It's always a pleasure. I would tune in to watch you read the phone book. God bless!

[@quarters-eye8922]

Love the channel 👍

[@brettphillips3091]

I made your recipe tonight. And it is way better than my regular goulash. Thanks.

[@seantierney3699]

awesome video sir! i always look for american chop suey videos. looks good i do alot of the same except for worchestchire sauce n beef sauce. i usually add another can of tomatoe sauce. crushed or sauce. just miss home. im from providence ri. joined the army in 2008 as an Infantryman and now im 5 years from hitting my 20. at ft carson. keep banging out videos because i subscribed

[@royjones59344]

looks great Chef

[@jmcclure55]

I'm happy to report that even though I rarely cook, I watched your video this morning, went to the grocery, and cooked the meal this evening. My wife and I loved it; and look forward to leftovers this weekend. Thank you for sharing.

[@johnwilmott8063]

Thanks Wayne. Really nice comfort food. It's generally known as savoury mince [ground beef] in the British Isles. Possibly with peas, maybe diced carrots etc. I must try it with macaroni the next time.

[@Paladin1873]

We prepare an almost identical seasoned hamburger mix with onions and peppers, then we freeze it for future dishes (spaghetti, lasagna, Tacos, Shepherds Pie, etc.). The only ingredients we don't use are Bay leaves and Worcestershire sauce. On a couple of occasions when I planned to make spaghetti with it, I have substituted crushed tomatoes and penne pasta or elbow macaroni, but I never considered it Chop Suey. The Chop Suey I've always eaten was made with chicken, rice,carrots, bok choy, sliced mushrooms, onions, and bean sprouts on a bed of rice. The next time I mix my groud beef with crushed tomatoes and pasta, I'm going to call it Chop Suey and see if my wife notices any difference.

[@jasonford6317]

👍

[@mohammedcohen]

...I haven't cooked since I lost my wife aslmost two years ago but this is making consider it again...

[@joecobb7153]

I'm sorry to hear about that man.. Remember the time you shared and try to be happy about that

[@jakelapoint]

I have that same le crueset Dutch oven you have on your stove. Exceptionally great cookware.

[@cbsbass4142]

Looks great. I may try this tonight and the Clam Chowder this weekend!

[@lisakrumwide2013]

Mr. Blues clam chowder recipe is excellent! It disappeared quickly in our house.

[@GunBlue490]

Sounds great!

[@brianlevin3602]

Between this and the beans and the corned beef you are now on my culinary list as well as my firearms list.Once again sir you are proving yourself to be a true renaissance man. Love your presentations Brian Levin British Columbia Canada

[@KyleWarren-l4n]

So Glad I Found You!!! Great Recipe - going to try this next time I want my #1 Comfort Food! ❤️

[@limeybonesjones7395]

i like the clock chime

[@andrewpinheiro7202]

Thanks for sharing my kids loved it no left overs unfortunately

[@EastboundDwn]

Too early to be posting cooking how toos! Now I'm hungry..🤣 Have a Blessed day, Sir!

[@anthonybenanti9240]

Looks delicious! Definitely gonna to have to try this recipe one day

[@Seegie16]

Fine looking recipe. Im going to make it with cavateppi pasta instead of the elbows. Captures the sauce just the right way

[@disturbedmaynard3873]

I cannot recall any dish from my days in the Marine Corps that I would want to duplicate it in later years. But, as I sit here hunkered down while the expected 6-9 inches of snow is falling, I kind of have a hankering now to throw something like this together. Well, hopefully soon we will be able to get to the range to do some shooting.

[@themoonandstars1]

Oh my goodness! You had me at garlic! PS: I'd love to see your Grandfather clock.

[@karltruththathurts9987]

Trying this recipe today Thank you

[@karltruththathurts9987]

Excellent, thank you for sharing

[@ronward6063]

I found you accidentally but what a find - common sense and good fun

[@boxcar156]

My grandparents from Aroostook County in Maine used a couple of cans of tomato soup, which was their 'secret' for this recipe.

[@darcinut]

I made this tonight ... So So Good!!!!

[@rich1184]

American Chop Suey is also a cherished favorite of mine. I promise to give it a try. Signed a new subscriber 👍

[@brentharrington9235]

We call this "Slum Yum" in my neck of the woods.

[@twintwo1429]

Been eating variations of this for all my life. Good over potatoes, rice, biscuits, or noodles. Maybe even cornbread.

[@davetenney5800]

My wife makes something similar to this. Rather than Chop Suey, we call it "Gourmet" because that it is what my wife's father always called it when she was growing up. Still one of my favorite foods. Great video!

[@patrickdobbels2342]

Down in Florida. I made Goulash for my Maine friends. They said it was chop suey.

[@jennifernichols9468]

Had this growing up in Omaha, Nebraska called it goulash there.

[@Bill-jv5eg]

Looks Great! Thanks for sharing….one of my favorite meals….brings me back to when I was a kid.

[@stephenschneider9209]

Looks like comfort food and satisfying. I made your clam chowder today which by the way is very close to way I've always made it but somehow it turned out better than usual. Thank you for sharing all your knowledge and bits of extras with us. I enjoy your videos very much your a good man! And may God bless you as well.

[@GunBlue490]

Thank you!

[@Greg-ly2rz]

Thank you! Can’t wait to try it!

[@latourbrian]

Growing up in Massachusetts my mom made this frequently. Obviously I always enjoyed it. I've been in AZ for 26 years now and nearly forgot this dish. I just made it and my 9 year old enjoyed it too. Thanks for this reminder and guide to get it done right. I'm loving all the cooking videos.

[@edwinj.t.p5998]

Thanks for sharing

[@garyh1449]

Definitely got to be generous on the garlic and top it off with pepper flakes. Great recipe. I'm going to have to try it. Thank you for all that you do.

[@nerradnosnhoj5122]

A well rounded channel you have here You have great content here , Thank you for the videos Keep 'em coming !!!

[@fiendish67]

Thank you! Will make it soon.

[@tangobravo4634]

Thanks for sharing another great recipe, I can't wait to try it out. There's nothing better than comfort food that brings back fond memories of our youth. I always tell young people to get those family recipes while you still can because if you don't, you'll regret it.

[@bobkmac]

Thanks for the recipe Mr. Blue! I might try this out this weekend. In the last 5-6 years my family of 6 has completely eliminated beef from our diets. We now use deer meat for everything... stakes, ground, cubed stew.

[@vanessahenault2408]

Thank you!!!

[@cavemaninasuit]

My wife's mom is from Boston and my wife said she had this growing up, she made your version tonight and said it was so much better than what she had and I thought it was delicious! Thank you for the recipe! I, as a southerner, truly enjoyed it!

[@MnPfan]

Being from Connecticut, I can confirm this is always a great winter dish. I actually made it a couple nights ago for dinner

[@hughgerhart4011]

That looks amazing

[@richardfassett9755]

Just saw your Chop Suey meal and had great memories of a cook I worked with in the Coast Guard in the 60s. He was from the New England área and had a family of Navy men, but his Mothers Father was a Landing Craft driver in the C G during WWII so he joined the Guard in honor of his Grandfather. About once a month he would make Grandma’s Chop Suey. I always drove the truck to get supplies. He would get a lot of ground beef and have the butcher add bacon fat to the meat. While browsing the meat for the dinner he would pour off the grease/fat into a coffee can and use it the next morning to make the best home fried potatoes. It was his great grandma’s recipe. Grandma’s Goulash/ Chop Suey brings back memories. Thank You

[@garyhammond2213]

I will try the recipe! Looks good.

[@mohammedcohen]

...my mom was born in Bridgeport, CT, in 1917...she used'ta make this often for us in the 50s & 60s...she used wide egg noodles...we called it the same...Chop Suey...I made it for my late wife & I in my grandmother's old cast aluminum pot (now about 90 years old and still with the original Bakelite - or petrified wood - knob on the lid) that pot has made so much comfort food since my grandmother got it - as a premium for shopping at as certain grocery store in Bridgeport all those years ago...this is so cool!!! Thanks...

[@robstlace4599]

I too entered the Army via Boston. I spent 30 years in. I enjoy your KZbin videos.

[@ronlafitte6864]

That looks awesome! Now I'm hungry! Thank you,Sir! This is a gift I won't forget!

[@BigT27295]

Sir that looks great...

[@robg9236]

that made me hungry

[@99corncob]

An old favorite for those of us of a certain age. I was traveling in India a few years ago and discovered "American-style Chop Suey" on the menu in a small-town local coffee shop where I was having lunch. It was delicious and tasted exactly like the stuff I remember eating with my family in the late 1950s. Thanks for the memories.

[@sakkieoosthuizen1105]

Welldone Looks delicious 🥇

[@richardpiau7546]

Really appreciate your channel! The way things are explained is perfect and this receipe looks delicious! Thank You!

[@miketheo3425]

Thank you Sir for giving us somthing endearing to watch in todays times