American Chop Suey

American Chop Suey: Submitted by: Kimmo Vallema | Date Added: 18 Dec 2020 Ingredients:

8 ounces (225 g) whole-grain pasta (we like Barilla Plus penne, ziti, elbows, or whole-wheat egg noodles)

1 tablespoon (15 ml) olive oil

1 small sweet onion, finely chopped

4 cloves garlic, minced

1 pound (455 g) leanest ground beef

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon fresh-ground black pepper

1 can (28 ounces, or 795 g) crushed tomatoes

1 can (14.5 ounces, or 410 g) tomato sauce

2 tablespoons (32 g) tomato paste

1/4 cup (60 ml) red wine

1/2 teaspoon Sucanat, sugar, or xylitol

1 teaspoon oregano

1 teaspoon basil

1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional

1/4 cup (30 g) shredded mozzarella cheese

1/4 cup (25 g) grated Parmesan cheese

Cooking Instructions:

Cook the pasta until al dente according to the package directions.

Heat the oil in a large nonstick sauté pan or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the onion and sauté until softened, 5 to 6 minutes. Add the garlic and stir, cooking for about 1 minute. Add the ground beef, salt, and pepper, and break the meat apart, cooking through until no pink remains, about 7 minutes. Pour off any excess oil. Add the crushed tomatoes and tomato sauce and mix to combine. Stir in the tomato paste, wine, Sucanat, oregano, basil, and red pepper. Increase the heat to medium-high, and bring to a simmer. Cover, lower the heat, and simmer for about 15 minutes. Gently fold in the cooked pasta. Sprinkle the mozzarella and the Parmesan over the top. Cover again for about 3 minutes or until the cheese is melted, and serve warm.