Macaroni and Tomatoes Recipe (2024)

By: Author Julia Jordan

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In this post I’m sharing how to make a classic Macaroni and Tomatoes Recipe.

Y’all, this is one of those old times dishes that has carried on and still loved by many. Some would even consider it a comfort food.

This macaroni tomato recipe began back in the depression era. Times were tough for families and stretching out meals was necessity.

The macaroni and tomatoes would have been the main meal for many families or a side dish that could last for several days.

This is one of those very simple recipes and can certainly be customized to suit your own tastes with additional ingredients.

With as few as three ingredients, you’ve got yourself a tasty pasta side.

I’ve read stories of mothers and grandmothers who would make this and sometimes add onion, diced spam, or ground beef. Bellies were full no matter how simple the meal.

Classic Macaroni and Tomatoes Recipe

Macaroni and Tomatoes Recipe (1)

There are a lot of possibilities with a can of tomatoes and frugal minded folks discovered them all. Including our beloved macaroni and cheese, which is a holiday staple these days.

Now I must go ahead and confess that I do one little extra thing to my macaroni and tomatoes recipe that most probably do not. That doesn’t mean that it’s not right. It’s just how I like it.

My motto happens to be, the right way to make a recipe is how you like it.

So before anyone yells at me for not doing it right (the way you do it), I like to add a little bit of a thickening slurry at the end to thicken up those tomato juices.

It really coats the pasta better, in my humble opinion. That is totally optional and you certainly do not have to do it.

Diced Tomatoes Side Dish

One consensus among cooks is that this dish requires a little bit of bacon grease. I whole heartily agree!

The bacon grease add another layer of flavor and a bit of smokiness. I keep a jar of bacon grease in my refrigerator at all times. It is the star ingredient to many recipes.

Macaroni and Tomatoes Recipe (3)

This one pot dish is really easy to make. With as few ingredients as the elbow macaroni, bacon grease, a can of diced tomatoes and some salt & pepper you’ve got the makings of a fine meal.

I add a pinch of sugar to enhance the flavors. Just a pinch does the trick. There is no need to go making a sweet pasta side dish.

Embellish the recipe further however you like. You’re the home chef at your house and you’ll be the one eating it after all.

Macaroni and Tomatoes Recipe (4)

Below in the printable recipe card I’m sharing how I make this dish. I’m going through it step by step and giving you the list of ingredients you’ll need.

This tried and true humble dish turns out perfect every time.

Yield: 1 Pasta Side Dish

Macaroni and Tomatoes Recipe (5)

Classic macaroni and tomatoes is the budget friendly dish that has been around for generations. Keep it simple as a side dish or jazz it up and make it a meal.

Cook Time30 minutes

Total Time30 minutes

Ingredients

  • 8 oz Box of Elbow Macaroni (about 2 c, uncooked)
  • 1 tbs Bacon Grease
  • 28 oz Can of Petite Diced Tomatoes, with the juices
  • Salt, to taste
  • Cracked Black Pepper, to taste
  • 1 tsp Sugar (optional)

Thickening Slurry

  • 2 tbs Cold Water
  • 1 tsp Cornstarch

Instructions

  1. Cook the macaroni pasta according to box directions; drain well.
  2. While the pasta drains, return the pot to the stove (over medium heat); add bacon grease and melt then and canned diced tomatoes. Stir to combine.
  3. Add the cooked macaroni to the tomato mixture. Season with salt, pepper, and pinch of sugar. Stir until heated through.
  4. Next, if using the thickening slurry; combine the cornstarch with cold water and add the pot. Stir and bring to a simmer. Simmer until the juices are thickened (about 10 minutes).

Notes

This side dish can be kept simple or other ingredients such as diced onion, basil, garlic, ground beef or diced spam could be added to make it a meal.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

8

Serving Size:

0.5 cup

Amount Per Serving:Calories: 95Total Fat: 2gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 2mgSodium: 108mgCarbohydrates: 17gFiber: 3gSugar: 7gProtein: 2g

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I know that you’ll enjoy this delicious side as generations of families have.

If you try it, please stop by and let me know how you enjoyed it. I love hearing from you.

You might also enjoy this recipe for Baked Tomato Mozzarella Melts from Southern Plate.

Home » Macaroni and Tomatoes Recipe

Author of Julia's Simply Southern

Macaroni and Tomatoes Recipe (16)

About Julia

Hey Y'all! I'm Julia, the cook and writer behind the recipes here at Julia's Simply Southern. I began my website so that I could share easy to follow recipes that anyone can use to put a home cooked meal on the dinner table. Thanks so much for stopping by!

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Macaroni and Tomatoes Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the origin of macaroni and tomatoes? ›

If you grew up in the South, chances are you were served macaroni and tomatoes at home at some point in time. This dish may have originated during the Great Depression, when its short, affordable ingredient list made it an easy dinner for families to put on the table.

Can you freeze macaroni and tomatoes? ›

Yes, you can freeze macaroni and tomatoes, but the texture of the pasta will be altered a bit upon reheating. The taste will be just as good as long as you eat it within about 3 months of freezing.

Is macaroni American or Italian? ›

The English word “macaroni” comes from the Italian “maccheroni” (pronounced more or less the same way). As often happens, the meaning has changed somewhat as the word migrated from the homeland to the new world.

Is Macaroni and tomato sauce healthy? ›

From a nutritional point of view, a plate of pasta with tomato sauce topped with a spoonful of extra-virgin olive oil ensures a good amount of complex carbohydrates. “The pasta has essential nutrients to help your metabolism function well and help the body burn fat,” Schirò explains.

What is American goulash made of? ›

It's a simple dish with ground beef and elbow macaroni in tomato sauce. This American comfort food is also called “slumgullion”, Hamburger Goulash, or “American chop suey” among other names!

Why do canned tomatoes have so much sodium? ›

Canned tomatoes often contain salt, which adds flavor and acts as a preservative.

How long will macaroni and tomatoes last in the fridge? ›

Homemade pasta sauce can be kept in the fridge for three to four days and store-bought sauce can last for up to four days. Homemade pasta should last in the fridge for one to two days and cooked pasta should keep in the fridge for three to five days.

Is it better to freeze tomatoes raw or cooked? ›

Tomatoes may be frozen raw or cooked, whole, sliced, chopped, or puréed. Tomatoes do not need to be blanched before freezing. Frozen tomatoes are best used in cooked foods such as soups, sauces and stews as they become mushy when they're thawed.

How do you reheat macaroni and tomatoes? ›

Method #1: Place in boiling water

Toss the pasta with your leftover sauce and toppings and serve. If you don't have a colander handy, bring your pot of water to a boil and then remove from heat. Place your leftover pasta in the hot water for one to two minutes and serve.

Where did pasta with tomato sauce originate? ›

The first known use of tomato sauce with pasta appears in the Italian cookbook L'Apicio moderno, by the Roman chef Francesco Leonardi, published in 1790. Italian tomato dishes range from simple pasta al pomodoro to the piquant puttanesca and arrabbiata sauces.

Where does macaroni originate from? ›

There's some debate over how the macaroni noodle came to be. Some claim that Marco Polo brought the noodles back to Italy after a trip to China in 1274. However, others maintain that the Etruscans (a pre-Roman civilization on the Italian Peninsula) invented the pasta.

What is the origin of macaroni? ›

The International Pasta Organisation traces the word 'macaroni' to the Greeks, who established the colony of Neopolis (modern day Naples) between 2000 and 1000BC, and appropriated a local dish made from barley-flour pasta and water called macaria, possibly named after a Greek goddess.

Where was tomato pasta invented? ›

History of Spaghetti with Tomato Sauce

The tomato sauce and spaghetti dish date back to the 1800s when the natives of Naples, Italy, first used its recipe. One fact about tomatoes in Italy is that they were first introduced to Italy by the Spanish between the 16th and 17th centuries.

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