What's for Dinner?: American Chop Suey

Wow, I can't believe it's coming up to one year since I started this blog. I want to thank my friend Donna McDonald for pushing me to write the blog in the first place.  I really do hope you enjoy the recipes. I'm not a chef. I just love to cook and inspired over the years from my mom and my sister, may they both rest in peace.  They were both great cooks and entertainers and had a ton of recipes.

I try to keep it simple, so that you have pantry ready items at hand. Nothing too fancy or an ingredient list that is way too long. Everyone is busy with life but you still can put a good meal on the table, even if it's only a couple times a week. I normally cook big meals Sunday's through Thursday. I don't touch the kitchen on Fri/Sat.

We had the most memorable Memorial Day Weekend camping, great weather, hiking, biking, tubing. Now we are back to dismal rain, drizzle and cold temps and enough already with the pollen!  When this happens, I like to return to comfort food. It's June already, really haven't had much grill time.

This recipe is my mom's. Goes way back to when I was a kid and easy to make. Whenever we had a bad storm, hurricane warnings, blizzard, nor'easter warnings, any bad New England weather predicted, that there was the chance of losing power, my mom use to make American Chop Suey.  Made so much at a time she literally could have fed the block.  It's American Chop Suey, paired with garlic bread, salad and corn on the cob and That's what's for dinner.

American Chop Suey

• 1lb Shell Pasta or Elbows (whatever your favorite shape is) cooked and drained
• 1 1/2 lbs Ground Beef (can use turkey if you want it leaner)
• 1 Large Onion Chopped
• 1 Large Pepper Chopped
• 1 Box Sliced Fresh Mushrooms
• 3 Cloves Garlic minced
• 1 Large Jar of tomato sauce (or homemade if you have it)
• Salt and Pepper to taste
• Parmesan Cheese

Tip: You can use any vegetable you like, zucchini, carrots, eggplant, bit I stick what works best.

Directions:  Saute the ground beef till no longer pink, add the chopped veggies, garlic, season with salt and pepper and tomato sauce. Bring to a simmer. If you'd like, add fresh basil and dried oregano as well.  Let cook for about 30 minutes. Pour over 1lb cooked, drained pasta. Serve with Parmesan Cheese.

Hope you enjoy!