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? ›

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. It's often a favorite meal during the summer, when tomatoes are at their ripest.

How many calories in a bowl of macaroni and tomatoes? ›

Macaroni Or Noodles With Cheese And Tomato (1 cup) contains 56g total carbs, 51.1g net carbs, 3.6g fat, 13.1g protein, and 306 calories.

What meat goes well with mac and cheese? ›

Mac and cheese is versatile and can be eaten as a side dish with meats like chicken, brisket or bbq ribs, or as a main dish with a vegetable side dish like an acidic green salad or simple steamed vegetables.

Which country invented macaroni? ›

The regular way of making it in Italy is by means of combining durum wheat flour with water to shape a dough, which is then rolled out and cut into skinny tubes or shells. The dough is normally made with semolina flour and eggs, giving the macaroni a prosperous and barely golden color.

Is macaroni and tomato sauce healthy? ›

Cooked tomatoes in pasta sauce is actually an incredibly healthful food—and one that surely deserves a place in your diet. Read on to learn more about why you'll soon wish it could be pasta night every night, and for more on how to eat healthy, don't miss 7 Healthiest Foods to Eat Right Now.

How many calories are in 2 cups of cooked macaroni? ›

2 Cups of Cooked Pasta: Approximately 400-440 calories.

How many carbs are in macaroni and tomato sauce? ›

Mre Elbow Macaroni In Tomato Sauce (1 serving) contains 42g total carbs, 37g net carbs, 6g fat, 6g protein, and 250 calories.

What 2 cheeses are best for mac and cheese? ›

For a mac and cheese recipe, consider the combination of sharper cheddar cheeses and a flavorful Parmesan. This cheese adds a boost of fruity, nutty notes to your favorite macaroni recipes. Parmesan is also ideal for grating on top of mac and cheese before you bake it to add golden color.

Which cheese is better for mac and cheese? ›

What Is the Best Cheese for Mac and Cheese? Sharp cheddar is the overwhelming popular choice, but for extra-creamy results, we think medium cheddar is even better. Other delicious options include Gruyère, smoked Gouda, and Monterey Jack.

What can I add to macaroni to make it taste better? ›

Stinson recommends broccoli for mac and cheese purposes, but summer or winter squash, cauliflower, bell peppers, and peas also make excellent additions. Quick Tip: To give your boxed mac and cheese some added protein, stir in cooked chicken, ground beef, tofu, plant-based meat, or greek yogurt.

What keeps mac and cheese moist? ›

It's all about the sauce. Put plenty of milk in that sauce and even add a little sour cream. The pasta will absorb some of the liquid, but not all of it and your sauce will be moist and cheesy. Lots of liquid and fat, parboiling your noodles, and crossed fingers.

Why add sour cream to mac and cheese? ›

Whether making it from scratch or the box, sour cream is the secret ingredient to rich and creamy macaroni and cheese. This tart and tangy additive goes a long way regarding recipes, and just a dollop can transform any dish into a thick and creamy masterpiece.

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.

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.

What is the origin of the word tomato and potato? ›

- "Tomato" came from the spanish word "el tomate", and potato came from spanish "la patata". Notice that neither of them ends with "o". The ending "o" was added when new english word was made from the original spanish word.

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