🍅🍝 Old-Fashioned Macaroni & Tomatoes
📝 Description
This classic comfort dish is simple, nostalgic, and full of rich tomato flavor. Tender macaroni cooks directly in seasoned tomato juice, soaking up all that savory goodness. Finished with a touch of sweetness and a bit of butter or bacon grease, it’s cozy, hearty, and tastes just like something straight from grandma’s kitchen.
🛒 Ingredients
- 1 quart (4 cups) tomato juice or canned tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teacup (about 1 cup) uncooked macaroni
- Sugar to taste (about ¼ to ½ cup, depending on preference)
- 1 tablespoon butter, bacon grease, or lard
👩🍳 Instructions
1. Heat the Tomatoes
- Pour tomato juice (or tomatoes) into a saucepan.
- Add salt and bring to a gentle boil over medium heat.
2. Cook the Pasta
- Add uncooked macaroni directly into the boiling tomato liquid.
- Reduce heat to medium-low and cook, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is tender.
3. Add Flavor
- Turn off the heat.
- Stir in sugar to your taste.
- Add butter, bacon grease, or lard for richness.
4. Rest
- Let the dish sit for about 15 minutes so the macaroni absorbs the sauce and thickens.
🍽 Serve
Serve warm as a comforting main dish or a hearty side.
⭐ Tip:
- Add a pinch of black pepper or a dash of garlic powder for extra depth.
- If you prefer it less sweet, start with a small amount of sugar and adjust gradually.
