[header] How to make american chop suey [title] Soak the macaroni in hot water. [step] Take 1 pound (454 g) of elbow macaroni or another tube-shaped pasta, and place it in a large bowl. Pour enough hot water over the pasta to cover it, and add salt to taste to season the mixture. 
Let the pasta rest in the water while you work with other ingredients. [substeps] Hot water should reach a temperature between 130 and 135 degrees fahrenheit (54 to 57 degrees celsius).