American Chop Suey

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 lb ground beef (85/15)
• 1 lb elbow macaroni
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 large yellow onion, chopped
• 1 green bell pepper, chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
• 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 tablespoon dried oregano
• 2 teaspoons dried basil
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 2 teaspoons kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon sugar
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Before you cook

• Chop the onion and green pepper and mince the garlic.
• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.

Steps

1. Cook the macaroni in the boiling water for 6 minutes, so it is still firm at the center, then drain it.
2. Heat the olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
3. Add the ground beef and brown it for 8 minutes, breaking it into crumbles.
4. Push the beef to one side, add the onion and green pepper, and cook for 6 minutes until softened.
5. Stir in the garlic and tomato paste and cook for 1 minute until the paste darkens.
6. Pour in the crushed tomatoes and tomato sauce and stir everything together.
7. Add the oregano, basil, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper and sugar and bring the sauce to a simmer.
8. Simmer uncovered for 15 minutes, stirring now and then, until the sauce thickens and no longer tastes raw.
9. Fold the drained macaroni into the sauce and cook for 5 more minutes so the pasta absorbs some of it.
10. Stir in the Parmesan and let the pot sit off the heat for 5 minutes before serving.