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    Home » Recipes » Side Dishes

    Angela @ BakeItWithLove.com · Leave a Comment

    Macaroni And Tomatoes

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    Best macaroni and tomatoes pin with the classic Southern side dish shown on spoon.

    This recipe for macaroni and tomatoes is an easy, old-fashioned Southern side dish that is as classic as comfort food gets! Canned tomatoes mean there is virtually no prep time, and a little bacon grease gives this dish its signature smoky bacon flavor! If you haven't had macaroni and tomatoes before, give it a try and you might have a new favorite pasta side dish!

    Classic Macaroni and Tomatoes

    Macaroni and tomatoes is an iconic dish to many Southerners and it's easy to see why! It only requires a few basic ingredients, it's extremely budget friendly, and it can be thrown together in just 30 minutes!

    The simplicity of this dish is what makes it amazing, and it is always a hit with kids and adults alike. Trust me, the smoky bacon flavor, tender macaroni, and juicy tomatoes are the unlikely pairing that will surely work its way onto your list of family favorite recipes!

    Tasty macaroni and tomatoes served in white pasta bowl on light background.
    Macaroni and tomatoes might just be your new favorite way to enjoy macaroni!
    Jump to:
    • Classic Macaroni and Tomatoes
    • 🥘 Ingredients
    • 🔪 Step-By-Step Instructions
    • 💭 Angela's Tips & Recipe Notes
    • 🍝 More Pasta Dishes!
    • 📋 Recipe

    🥘 Ingredients

    I like to jar bacon grease after cooking bacon so I always have some on hand. However, you can also buy it jarred at your local grocery store!

    Macaroni and tomatoes ingredients measured out and ready to cook and combine.
    • Macaroni - 1 8-ounce box or 2 cups of uncooked pasta.
    • Bacon Grease - 1 tablespoon of bacon grease (*see note).
    • Petite Diced Tomatoes - A 28-ounce can with the juices.
    • Salt & Pepper - ½ a teaspoon each, or more to taste.
    • Cornstarch - 1 tablespoon with 1 tablespoon of cold water for making a slurry.

    *Be sure to see the recipe card below for ingredients, amounts & instructions!*

    🔪 Step-By-Step Instructions

    The macaroni and tomatoes will thicken a bit more as it cools, making it creamy and utterly delicious! Get out a large pot, a colander, and a silicone spatula for stirring.

    Process photo 1 boiling elbow macaroni.
    1
    Process photo 2 melt the bacon grease.
    2
    Process photo 3 add diced tomatoes.
    3
    Process photo 4 add cooked pasta.
    4
    Process photo 5 add seasoning, simmer, and cook until thickened.
    5
    1. Boil. Cook 8 ounces of elbow macaroni as directed on the box. Then, pour into a colander in the sink and let drain.
    2. Melt bacon grease. As the pasta drains, return your pot to the stove top over medium heat. Add 1 tablespoon of bacon grease to the pot and let it melt, then add the 28-ounce can of tomatoes with juices and mix well.
    3. Season. Return the cooked macaroni to the pot. Season with ½ a teaspoon of both salt & pepper (more or less to taste) and stir to combine. Continue stirring until the pasta is heated through.
    4. (Optional) Add slurry. Make a slurry by combining 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 1 tablespoon of water. Add the slurry to your pot and stir.
    5. Simmer and serve. Bring the macaroni and tomatoes to a simmer. Simmer for 10 minutes or until thickened. Remove from heat and let cool slightly, then serve!

    Macaroni and tomatoes is an easy side dish that pairs with just about anything! You can also serve it with some Jiffy jalapeno cornbread and make a meal out of it! Enjoy!

    💭 Angela's Tips & Recipe Notes

    • Bacon grease gives this dish it's signature smoky bacon flavor, but if needed you may replace it with butter.
    • 1 teaspoon of sugar may be added for a touch of sweetness (this is often done in some old-fashioned versions of this recipe).
    • If desired, you may saute onion to add (½ a yellow onion is best) and/or ½ a tablespoon of minced garlic. Saute these additions with the bacon grease.
    • Storing: Leftover macaroni and tomatoes can be refrigerated for up to 4 days in an airtight container. Reheat in the microwave for 1 minute, then add more time as needed.
    Tall closeup on the dishes macaroni and tomatoes in white pasta bowl.

    🍝 More Pasta Dishes!

    • Cream Cheese Pasta
    • Cajun Sausage Pasta
    • Southern Baked Macaroni and Cheese
    • Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta
    • Ham and Pea Pasta
    • Hawaiian Macaroni Salad

    Do you love a recipe you tried? Please leave a 5-star 🌟rating in the recipe card below and/or a review in the comments section further down the page.

    Stay in touch with me through social media @ Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter! Don't forget to tag me when you try one of my recipes!

    📋 Recipe

    Tasty macaroni and tomatoes served in white pasta bowl on light background.
    Print Recipe Leave A Comment
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    5 from 5 reviews

    Macaroni And Tomatoes

    This recipe for macaroni and tomatoes is an easy, old-fashioned Southern side dish that is as classic as comfort food gets! Canned tomatoes mean there is virtually no prep time, and a little bacon grease gives this dish its signature smoky bacon flavor! If you haven't had macaroni and tomatoes before, give it a try and you might have a new favorite pasta side!
    Author | Angela
    Servings: 8 servings
    Calories: 156kcal
    Prep 2 minutes
    Cooking 30 minutes
    Total Time 32 minutes
    Pin Recipe Share on Facebook

    Ingredients
     

    • 8 oz elbow macaroni (1 8-ounce box or 2 cups of uncooked pasta)
    • 1 tablespoon bacon grease
    • 28 oz petite diced tomatoes (canned, with the juices)
    • ½ teaspoon each, salt & pepper (to taste)
    • 1 tablespoon cornstarch (with 1 tablespoon cold water for making a slurry)

    Instructions

    • In a large pot, cook the elbow macaroni as directed by the instructions on the box. Pour into a colander to drain, rinse under lukewarm tap water, and set aside.
      8 oz elbow macaroni
    • As the pasta drains, return your pot to the stovetop over medium heat. Add the bacon grease to the pot and let it melt, then add the canned tomatoes with juices and mix well.
      1 tablespoon bacon grease, 28 oz petite diced tomatoes
    • Add the cooked macaroni noodles to the pot. Season with salt & pepper and mix to combine. Continue to stir until the pasta is heated through.
      ½ teaspoon each, salt & pepper
    • Make a slurry by combining 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 1 tablespoon of water. Add the slurry to your pot and stir.
      1 tablespoon cornstarch
    • Bring the macaroni and tomatoes to a simmer. Allow to simmer until thickened, about 10 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool slightly for a couple minutes, then serve!

    Equipment You May Need

    Sauce Pan
    colander
    Silicone Spatula Set

    Notes

    • 1 teaspoon of sugar may be added for a touch of sweetness (this is often done in some old-fashioned versions of this recipe).
    • If desired, you may saute onion to add (½ a yellow onion is best) and/or ½ a tablespoon of minced garlic. Saute these additions with the bacon grease.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 156kcal (8%) | Carbohydrates: 29g (10%) | Protein: 5g (10%) | Fat: 2g (3%) | Saturated Fat: 1g (6%) | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 2mg (1%) | Sodium: 281mg (12%) | Potassium: 354mg (10%) | Fiber: 3g (13%) | Sugar: 5g (6%) | Vitamin A: 213IU (4%) | Vitamin C: 9mg (11%) | Calcium: 40mg (4%) | Iron: 2mg (11%)
    Did you try this recipe? Rate it below!I can’t wait to see your results! Mention @bake_it_with_love or tag #bake_it_with_love!
    Course Pasta, Side Dish
    Cuisine American

    author profile photo
    Angela @ BakeItWithLove.com

    Angela is an at home chef that developed a passion for all things cooking and baking at a young age in her Grandma's kitchen. After many years in the food service industry, she now enjoys sharing all of her family favorite recipes and creating tasty dinner and amazing dessert recipes here at Bake It With Love!

    bakeitwithlove.com/about/
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    Hi there, I'm Angela! I am an avid vintage cookbook collector, recipe creator, animal lover, and total foodie. I love sharing recipes that are new, fun, and creative as well as great classic recipes just like my Grandma used to make!

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