Description
American Chop Suey is a comforting and family-friendly meal featuring elbow macaroni, smoked turkey bacon, plant-based cheese, and a natural gelling agent. This easy recipe comes together in under 30 minutes with wholesome pantry staples, delivering a rich and creamy tomato-based pasta dish perfect for busy weeknights or cozy weekend dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 8 oz elbow macaroni (or gluten-free elbow macaroni)
Protein
- 4 slices smoked turkey bacon, chopped
Vegetables & Aromatics
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes (natural)
Sauce Ingredients
- 2 tbsp tomato paste (natural)
- 1 tbsp vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural)
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning (natural)
Cheese & Texture
- 3/4 cup plant-based cheese, shredded
- 1 tsp natural gelling agent
Other
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Pasta: Cook elbow macaroni according to package instructions until just al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving a little pasta water for later to adjust sauce consistency if needed.
- Cook the Smoked Turkey Bacon: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped smoked turkey bacon and cook until slightly crispy and browned, stirring occasionally for even cooking.
- Sauté Vegetables: Add diced onions and minced garlic to the skillet with the turkey bacon. Cook until onions are translucent and softened, releasing natural sweetness.
- Build the Sauce: Stir in canned diced tomatoes, tomato paste, vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural), and Italian seasoning (natural). Let the sauce simmer gently, allowing flavors to meld and thicken.
- Add Pasta and Cheese: Mix cooked pasta into the sauce, stirring well to coat. Sprinkle in plant-based cheese and natural gelling agent, stirring until cheese melts fully and the sauce becomes creamy and rich.
- Final Seasoning: Taste and season with salt and pepper. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of reserved pasta water until desired consistency is reached.
Notes
- Cook pasta slightly under al dente; it will finish cooking in the sauce.
- Use high-quality canned tomatoes for best flavor.
- Do not skip vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural) to enhance umami.
- Melt plant-based cheese slowly by stirring off heat for smooth texture.
- Add fresh herbs like basil or parsley last to preserve their color and flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 480 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 15 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg
Keywords: American Chop Suey, plant-based cheese, smoked turkey bacon, quick dinner, family meal, plant-based, gluten-free option
