• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Home
  • About
  • Recipe Index
  • Subscribe
  • Contact
Fox Valley Foodie
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • About the Fox Valley Foodie
  • Subscribe
  • Recipe Index
  • Contact
  • Γ—
    Home Β» Recipes Β» Entree

    Macaroni and Tomatoes

    Published: Jan 20, 2025 by Fox Valley Foodie Β· This post may contain affiliate links

    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Macaroni and tomatoes.

    Macaroni and tomatoes is an inexpensive recipe that was popular in simpler times, yet is still enjoyed by many.

    I love this recipe, not only because I am a sucker for reviving old-fashioned recipes, but also because of how flexible it is. The only rules to this simple dish are tomatoes and macaroni noodles need to be used, beyond that the home chef can get creative with how they want to dress up this recipe with whatever pantry staples they have on hand.

    Macaroni and Tomatoes.

    What is it?

    As the name implies, the primary ingredients in this easy recipe are macaroni and tomatoes. This comforting dish was particularly popular in households where money was tight. Tomatoes and pasta were inexpensive, and when thrown together with a little bacon fat, a cheap and easy meal can be served.

    This simple meal was most commonly known as a classic southern dish but it was also a popular staple in poor households throughout the Midwest as well. Bacon was often used as an ingredient because it was cheaper than most meat, and packs a lot of flavor. However, in households like my grandma's, hot dogs were commonly added instead because they were even cheaper.

    Ingredients and Substitutions

    Ingredients for macaroni and tomatoes.
    • Elbow macaroni noodles - Other small pasta noodles can also be used, but macaroni is best as it is the namesake of this recipe.
    • Bacon - Bacon is fairly essential, as we also need the rendered bacon grease from frying. However, ground beef is also used in this recipe occasionally.
    • Yellow onionΒ - Chopped onion was a popular low-cost addition to this recipe in many households, but it can also be omitted.
    • Canned Petite Diced Tomatoes - I like petite diced best, but regular diced tomatoes are also great. You want canned tomatoes rather than fresh tomatoes because the juices are important to use as well. In a pinch, stewed tomatoes can also be used, but they should be cut down into smaller pieces.
    • White sugar - If you want to sweeten the dish up feel free to add a pinch of sugar, but it won't be missed if excluded either.

    Optional additions can include minced garlic, shredded cheddar cheese, and crushed red pepper flakes. If you want a thicker sauce, you can add 8 ounces of tomato sauce.

    How to make it

    Begin making this old fashioned macaroni and tomatoes recipe by boiling the macaroni noodles in a large pot of salted water on the stove top according to the package directions until al dente (some people use chicken broth for added flavor). When the noodles are tender, drain from the water and set aside.

    Tip: Toss the noodles in a little cooking oil to prevent them from sticking after they finish cooking.

    In a separate large frying pan, add your bacon and cook it over medium high heat until crisp. Crumble the bacon once it is cool enough to handle. Reserve one tablespoon of bacon grease in the skillet and add the chopped onion. Saute the onions over medium heat until tender.

    Once the onions are tender, pour in the diced tomatoes and the tomato juice from the can. Add sugar, salt, and pepper, and bring the mixture to a boil. Let it cook until most of the liquid has evaporated, then add the cooked pasta and crumbled bacon. Toss everything together and serve when everything is warmed through.

    Serving macaroni and tomatoes with bacon.

    Storing Leftovers

    Leftover macaroni and tomatoes should be refrigerated in an airtight container and enjoyed within five days. This can easily be reheated in the microwave in individual servings. Please note, the noodles will likely absorb any excess liquid in the sauce as it refrigerates and the bacon will also soften.

    Macaroni and tomatoes in a bowl.
    Macaroni and tomatoes recipe.

    Macaroni and Tomatoes

    Macaroni and tomatoes is an inexpensive recipe made with simple ingredients that will be popular with the whole family.
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Pin Rate Save Saved
    Course: Entree
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 15 minutes minutes
    Servings: 4
    Calories: 520kcal
    Author: Fox Valley Foodie

    Equipment

    • Large pot
    • Large skillet

    Ingredients

    • 8 ounces elbow macaroni
    • 8 ounces bacon
    • 1 tablespoon bacon grease reserved from cooking bacon
    • Β½ onion chopped
    • 28 ounces canned Petite Diced Tomatoes undrained
    • Β½ teaspoon sugar optional
    • ΒΌ teaspoon ground black pepper
    • salt to taste

    Instructions

    • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook macaroni noodles according to package instructions until al dente.
    • While noodles cook, add raw bacon to a large skillet and fry until crisp. Remove cooked bacon and crumble once cool enough to handle.
    • Drain excess bacon grease from the skillet, leaving one tablespoon of bacon fat in the skillet. Add chopped onion and saute until tender over medium heat.
    • Once onions are tender add canned tomatoes with the juices, as well as sugar (optional), black pepper, and salt to taste. Bring the mixture to a boil and cook out the liquid, stirring as needed.
    • When noodles are tender, drain from the water and add the cooked noodles to your tomato mixture along with crumbled bacon. Toss everything to combine and serve.

    Notes

    Grated parmesan cheese makes a great topping if desired.
    Historically, a little sugar was added to this recipe to further sweeten the tomatoes. For authenticity, I included it in my recipe as well, however, it is largely unnecessary in my opinion.Β 

    Nutritional Information

    Calories: 520kcal | Carbohydrates: 53g | Protein: 16g | Fat: 27g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 12g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 41mg | Sodium: 668mg | Potassium: 634mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 254IU | Vitamin C: 19mg | Calcium: 80mg | Iron: 3mg
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it Today!Mention @FoxValleyFoodie or tag #foxvalleyfoodie!

    This recipe was originally published on March 31, 2022.

    More Homemade Macaroni Recipes

    • Cheeseburger Macaroni
      Homemade Cheeseburger Macaroni
    • Homemade Mac and Cheese
      Mac and Cheese with Cream Cheese
    • Old fashioned goulash recipe.
      Old Fashioned Goulash (American Goulash)
    • Homemade Hamburger Helper recipe
      Homemade Hamburger Helper Beef Pasta

    Get My FREE eCookbook

    mailer

    Subscribe to FoxValleyFoodie.com and get each tantalizing new post sent directly to your inbox, along with my complementary eCookbook just for signing up!

    « Smoked Hamburgers
    Roasted Potatoes and Onions »

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Ruth

      May 04, 2025 at 1:20 pm

      5 stars
      This is a very good recipe. Easy to make and very tasty. πŸ˜‹

      Reply
    2. Ruth

      April 22, 2025 at 7:26 pm

      5 stars
      This recipe is super good,It’s easy to make, the bacon and onions give it wonderful flavour. The size of the recipe will serve 4-5 people quite nicely. πŸ‘πŸΌ.

      Reply
    5 from 2 votes

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter

    Subscribe

    15834

    Get each tantalizing new recipe

    sent directly to your inbox.

    AND GET MY eCOOKBOOK FREE!

    Search for your favorite post!

    Popular Recipes

    How to make paprika

    How to Make Paprika

    Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs - Bone In

    Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs (Bone-In)

    Venison Meatloaf Recipe

    Venison Meatloaf

    Close up Sloppy Joes

    Homemade Manwich (Sloppy Joes)

    Big Mac Sauce Copycat Recipe

    McDonald's Big Mac Sauce (Copycat Recipe)

    Fried chicken gizzards recipe.

    Fried Chicken Gizzards

    Brown Sugar Meatloaf with Secret Ingredient

    Brown Sugar Meatloaf - With a Secret Ingredient

    Homemade mozzarella sticks with string cheese

    Homemade Mozzarella Sticks with String Cheese

    As featured in yahoo, buzzfeed, oprah, msn and more!

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Accessibility Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact

    Fox Valley Foodie, LLC

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright Β© 2022 Brunch Pro on the Brunch Pro Theme

    Rate This Recipe

    Your vote:




    A rating is required
    A name is required
    An email is required

    Recipe Ratings without Comment

    Something went wrong. Please try again.