Macaroni and Tomatoes Recipe (2024)

By: Author Julia Jordan

Posted on - Last updated:

Jump to Recipe

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

  • Macaroni and Tomatoes Recipe (9)

    Old Fashioned Amish Overnight Coleslaw Recipe
  • Macaroni and Tomatoes Recipe (10)

    The Best Easter Breakfast or Brunch Recipes for Two
  • Macaroni and Tomatoes Recipe (11)

    Classic Hamburger Steak Recipe with Country Pepper Gravy
  • Macaroni and Tomatoes Recipe (12)

    Easy Southern Style Flat Italian Green Beans Recipe
  • Macaroni and Tomatoes Recipe (13)

    Down Home Southern Large Lima Butter Beans Recipe
  • Macaroni and Tomatoes Recipe (14)

    Easy Creamy Salmon Pasta Salad Recipe
Macaroni and Tomatoes Recipe (15)

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!

Follow me on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest | YouTube

Macaroni and Tomatoes Recipe (2024)

FAQs

How many calories are in a cup of macaroni and tomatoes? ›

Common serving sizes
Serving SizeCalories
100 g128
1 cup311
Aug 21, 2007

How to cook 2 cups of macaroni? ›

Turn the burner down to low and stir in 2 cups (168 g) of elbow macaroni noodles. Simmer the noodles for 20 minutes. Keep the lid off the pot and let the noodles bubble gently until they're as soft as you like. Stir the noodles every few minutes to prevent them from clumping or burning.

How to cook makoroni? ›

Cook the macaroni in a large saucepan of boiling salted water for 8-10 minutes; drain well and set aside. Melt the butter over a medium heat in a saucepan slightly larger than that used for the macaroni. Add the flour and stir to form a roux, cooking for a few minutes. Gradually whisk in the milk, a little at a time.

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.

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

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

How much water do I need for 1 cup of dry macaroni? ›

I put 1 cup of macaroni into a fairly small saucepan, added about 2 cups of cold water (just enough to cover completely) plus about a teaspoon of salt, and started cooking at high heat.

How many cups of macaroni is enough for one person? ›

One serving of cooked pasta is typically 1 to 1 1/2 cups, but keep in mind that you'll likely be bulking up your dish with sauce and other extras like veggies or proteins. To determine how many cups to measure, home cooks can use Barilla's handy chart.

How much does 2 cups of dry macaroni make when cooked? ›

You will need roughly 1 cup (or 0.9 cups to be precise) of dried pasta to obtain 2 cups of cooked pasta. Generally, the ratio of dry pasta to cooked pasta is approximately 1:1.5 to 1:2, as the dry pasta tends to expand upon boiling/cooking, and it can easily double in weight.

How do you make tomato sauce taste richer? ›

Add butter

Yes, that's right. Toss in a few tablespoons of butter, and let it melt into the sauce. If you've never tried it before, it might seem strange, but a little butter makes tomato sauce rich and smooth, and also balances out too much acidity, which is common in jarred sauces.

Can I just blend tomatoes for sauce? ›

Once tomatoes and garlic are done roasting, allow them to cool for 10 minutes, then add them to a food processor with caramelized onions and basil or high powered blender and process for a chunkier sauce or blend completely for a smooth tomato pasta sauce.

Are crushed tomatoes the same as tomato sauce? ›

Crushed tomatoes may be slightly concentrated or canned in tomato puree, resulting in a texture that is chunkier than tomato sauce but smoother and less watery than diced tomatoes.

What's the difference between macaroni and pasta? ›

Macaroni is a category of pasta, typically referring to small to medium-sized pasta shapes. Elbow pasta and penne both fall under the macaroni category of pasta. Penne pasta is a ridged, straight, tube-shaped pasta, whereas elbow pasta is a smooth, curved, tubed-shaped pasta.

Is macaroni healthy? ›

Cooking macaroni without excessive cheese or creamy sauces can help you enjoy a meal that is naturally low in fat and cholesterol. This makes it a heart-healthy choice, as reducing saturated and trans fats in your diet can help maintain healthy cholesterol levels and reduce your chances of developing heart disease.

How many calories are in a cup of plain cooked macaroni? ›

A rough estimate for adults is 6 to 8 ounces per day. One cup of cooked elbow macaroni has approximately 220 calories. Two ounces of dry macaroni equals 1/2 cup, which cooks to yield at least 1 cup of cooked noodles.

How many calories in a cup of cooked pasta with tomato sauce? ›

Spaghetti With Tomato Sauce (1 cup) contains 55.2g total carbs, 50g net carbs, 7.8g fat, 9.4g protein, and 332 calories.

How many calories are in macaroni pasta with tomato sauce? ›

1 cup of macaroni in tomato and meat sauce (Finest Brand) contains 200 Calories. The macronutrient breakdown is 59% carbs, 27% fat, and 14% protein.

How many calories are in pasta with vegetables and Tomato Sauce? ›

Common serving sizes
Serving SizeCalories
100 g101
1 cup250
1 serving (248 g)250
Aug 21, 2007

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Merrill Bechtelar CPA

Last Updated:

Views: 5454

Rating: 5 / 5 (50 voted)

Reviews: 89% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Merrill Bechtelar CPA

Birthday: 1996-05-19

Address: Apt. 114 873 White Lodge, Libbyfurt, CA 93006

Phone: +5983010455207

Job: Legacy Representative

Hobby: Blacksmithing, Urban exploration, Sudoku, Slacklining, Creative writing, Community, Letterboxing

Introduction: My name is Merrill Bechtelar CPA, I am a clean, agreeable, glorious, magnificent, witty, enchanting, comfortable person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.