"Macaroni and Tomatoes" is a dish that my mother has been making all of my life. It just says comfort food to me! Every year, when my mother asks what I want her to cook for my birthday dinner, I always say macaroni and tomatoes or breaded tomatoes, which I also love.
Nobody makes either dish that tastes exactly like Mama's does. You know those recipes that only your mother or grandmother make to taste just that certain way and even though they might be good, they are just not the same as theirs. This is one of those dishes for me.
Several of you have written and asked me about a recipe for Macaroni and Tomatoes and sort of like the Southern Goulash, I used to think we were the only family that ate it, but I have learned a lot of you grew up with it also. It seems like such a simple thing to prepare, but to get it right, there are a few key ingredients.
It also might seem like a dish, kids wouldn't eat, but we have some children in our family that will eat all of this you can make and set in front of them, and it's not nearly as fattening as macaroni and cheese! Mama usually served it with pinto beans and cornbread, which was really good!
Here is what you need for this old fashioned recipe:
1 cup uncooked elbow macaroni
2 cups water
1 tsp. salt
1 (15 oz.) can petite diced tomatoes, undrained
2 cups V-8 juice
1 tsp. bacon drippings
1 Tbs. butter
2 tsp. sugar
black pepper to taste
Place the macaroni in 2 cups salted boiling water and cook until the pasta is just starting to soften. Add the tomatoes, V-8 juice, bacon drippings, butter, sugar and black pepper to taste. Cook just until the pasta is done and has absorbed some of the juices. Don't leave the bacon drippings out, that is one of the keys to the flavor!
You can add cheese to this or sprinkle with Parmesan, but this is one dish I don't like to add cheese to! I know it's hard to believe, but it's true!
awwwww brings back good family suppers when I was a kid! You are indeed right, I don't know of anyone who make this like my Moms. thanks for posting
ReplyDeleteOne of my favorites growing up and still is. I agree about it being better without cheese;-) I really enjoy all of the recipes and have shared many of them!
ReplyDeleteI have never tried bacon. Mom always used butter✨
ReplyDeleteI make this dish....The only thing I do differently is add an onion to the mac. while it is cooking...
ReplyDeleteMy husband would never eat tomatoes of any kind until I fixed Mac and tomatoes ..it was a cool evening and he said that smells so good I think I will try some....been eating it ever since..and I also add an onion to the mac when it is cooking....
Deleteso did my GranPa... lots of onions in the pot !!
DeleteMe too!! The onion makes all the difference in the world. It would be so bland without the onion!!
DeleteSauteed onions!
DeleteWhen I was growing up, we used home canned tomatoes. Not the same with store bought, but still like it! It's my go-to when I'm sick.
ReplyDeleteDo you drain the pasta before adding the rest of the ingredients, or add them to the pasta water?
ReplyDeleteI drain it some.
DeleteYes, you drain the pasta. Enjoy!
DeleteThe pasta soaks up most of teh liquid, but if it's too much pour a little off. With only 2 cups of water, you won't have much.
DeleteSounds yummy and very similar to my moms except for the bacon drippings. I do have a question though.
ReplyDeleteDo you drain the water that you cook the macaroni in before you add the rest of the ingredients?
Drain the water from the pasta. The V8 & tomatoes will be the liquid needed to finish the recipe.
Deletewow... my mom used to make this.. she added some chili powder.. don't think she ever put in v-8.. and careful w/the chili powder because if you have any left over.. it will be a lot warmer the next day..
ReplyDeleteI use stewed tomatoes. Makes up for V-8 . I guess
DeleteMy Mother has made this all my life. Not exactly this recipe but very similar. We thought we were the only ones eating it also.
ReplyDeleteI'm making this tonight for dinner, sounds yummy!! Perfect comfort food when it's FREEZING outside.
ReplyDeleteno, you do not drain the water, but you do let it boil down low before adding the tomatoes and v- 8.
ReplyDeleteIt's too bad it does not say this in the instructions; it only says to add the other ingredients after the pasta begins to soften. I had to scoop out all the pasta and let the liquid continue to reduce because it looked nothing like the picture. There was so much liquid you could not even see the pasta. In fact it's on the stove right now.
DeleteIf you cook 1 cup pasta in only 2 cups water, once it has cooked to al dente, most of the liquid has to be absorbed If you had a lot of water left once the pasta was cooked, you used too much water to begin with.
DeleteI would for sure drain the water from the pasta. I would want to enjoy the flavors from the V8 and Tomatoes. I want to enjoy the pasta as well not a bowl of water.
DeleteSounds very good, I am going to have to try and make this for sure.
ReplyDeleteMy mom used to make macaroni & tomatoes and also bread tomatoes. I thought we were the only family that ate these dishes, too...lol.
ReplyDeleteNever heard of this before but it sure does sound and look very tasty. Sometimes the simplest things are the best! Can't wait to try it.
ReplyDeleteDo you have the recipe for the BREADED TOMATOES? PLEASE!
ReplyDeleteMy G-made - but just the elbows, canned whole tomatoes, butter and s&p...Was poor man's food, but I loved it
ReplyDeleteI grew up on macaroni and tomatoes but my Mom always added Franks to it. We loved it. May not have been healthy but sure was good. As the grandchildren came along, they all like it too. Everyone is grown and gone now but I still sometimes make just for "old times sake"
ReplyDeleteMy Mom use to make this and I made it for my kids I used the alphabet noodles they love those when little. I boiled the noodles in tomato juice and V8 instead of water gave them even more of the taste.
ReplyDeleteI thought I was the only person who boiled the noodles in the juice! :)
DeleteClever idea to boil noodles in juice!! :)
DeleteI make this too. I add evaporated milk also. Comfort food!
ReplyDeleteWe just called it goolosh ... noodles, tomatoes, tomato sause , onion, green pepper, sometimes add burger, salt and pepper.... mmmmm I love it.
ReplyDeleteI still use bacon drippings. Never has used V8. Blend canned tomatoes until liquified. A favorite food in the winter time OR after I've a stomach. Feels like the salt and tomatoes help replenish liquids. Now I need to cook some!
ReplyDeleteMy mom also made this when I was growing up. She's gone now and I haven't been able to duplicate the flavor, but I never tried butter and bacon grease! I will next time. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteAs kids, my mom made macaroni and tomato soup for us. We loved it then and I still make it now and then for my husband. Great with a grilled cheese sandwich!
ReplyDeleteI to thought our family was the only ones that made this. Recipe is a little different, but close. No butter , sugar, or tomatoes. Just macaroni boiled with bacon grease. Once it is boiled down a bit, I poor in my homemade tomato juice or V8. It looks a lot like soup. My grandkids call it Macaroni Soup. Sometimes I use shells. The kids tend to like it better for some reason. Thanks for posting a great recipe.
ReplyDeletelove mac and tomatoes also breaded tomatoes
ReplyDeleteI've always loved this. My grandmother and mother ate it all the time. They were from New York so I always thought it was a Northern thing!
ReplyDeleteMy Momma use to make a macaroni dish that had a very pleasant strong tomato taste that was thick, like it just coated the pasta. I always thought it was tomato paste. I don't know how she did it but would love for you or someone else to know exactly what is was called and how to make it. It too used elbow macaroni. Your above recipe will be one I'll make. Think Momma put hamburger in it too! Mom's recipes were never written down, she just eyeballed it I guess you can say, which is bad for me now that she's gone to heaven. <3
ReplyDeleteMacaroni is my favorite. I like to travel a lot. Macaroni is my fixed takeaway item. I like to taste various types of macaroni. Chinese Takeaway Cumbernauld
ReplyDeletewhat is wrong with you
DeleteLove this. My Mom served with pinto beans and cornbread as well. We used tomatoes and tomato juice instead of V8.
ReplyDeleteMY MOM used to make this too ,as we always had lots canned tomatoes in the winter time ...I always thought it was because we were very poor growing up in Coeburn VA ..I have occasionally made it for my family when we were low on food ,always keeping macaroni as a go to item ...its good and now I want some ...all the kids are on their own so I will have left overs now ...and yes its good with onions ,green peppers and hamburger in it which then becomes goulash .
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone have the exact recipe for Goulash? We also grew up with mom making this but she is gone now and never wrote the recipe down. My sister and I were talking about this the other day.
ReplyDeleteMoms recipe was different she used shell noodles usually the whole bag. Cook until done drain well. Melt one cube butter add 4 small cans tomato sauce, salt and pepper to taste heat until hot add noodles. Mom served them with crackers or grilled cheese sandwiches.
ReplyDeletethis is a great side dish with fried pork chops
ReplyDeleteThe way we always made it was to 1st lightly brown onions in bacon drippings(you can also saute some garlic with the onions).....oh my goodness the smell of onions in bacon drippings is out of this world! Then we added the onions, bacon drippings, diced tomatoes, & tomato juice to cooked macaroni. Season with salt & pepper to taste. Simmer it a bit to blend all the flavors...........Oh yummmmmmm!
ReplyDeleteKathy, it is a cold rainy day here in Texas and I just made this Macaroni and Tomatoes for me and my little boy. Talk about delicious! We ate 2 bowls each of this stuff! LOL I am originally from the deep South and while many of your recipes are familiar to me, this is one I had not heard of. I appreciate and enjoy your recipes so much, thank you for sharing your wonderful recipes with the rest of the world. I enjoy your stories and history of the recipes too. God Bless!
ReplyDeleteYour comment just made my day! This is exactly why I love doing what I do! I do find that some 'recipes' are very distinct to the Kentucky/Appalachia region. The ones my mother always made for us, her own mother made. They are things to fill up lots of people on little money and means, but no matter, they are the best to us! I am glad you and your boy enjoyed this! Thank you!
DeleteKathy,I've lived in Oklahoma all my life and we grew up on macaroni & tomatoes similar to your recipe. I still make it for my family. It's my oldest grandaughers favorite! Thank you!
DeleteMy husbands aunt would make a version of this. First, she would make mashed potatoes 2) put sharp cheddar cheese slices on pots 3) put the tomatoes juice & macaroni over it all.
ReplyDeleteLove this recipe as I do ALL of your wonderful recipes!!!......My husband made a version of this for years and wouldn't tell me what he put in it.....just like his mother.....lol.....finally caught him one day using canned tomato soup!......Thanks so much for sharing!......PS....I'm waiting for your cookbook!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI grew up with a similar version. We called it "Favorite Sketti"! We used tomato juice instead of V-8 and seashells instead of elbows (holds more juice!). The bacon drippings are a must! We loved a big thick slice of Velveeta in the bottom of the bowl with the hot pasta and tomatoes melting the cheese. Such comfort food - both the actual food and the many memories. I still make it regularly, but thank you for reviving this recipe.
ReplyDeleteOne of my daughters favorite dishes Last time she came to vivit from Tenn. had to make this for her....along with some sweet corn bread...
ReplyDeleteMy family makes this as well!! My grandma always used elbow macaroni drained, tomato juice, butter,a can of mushrooms, garlic powder,onion powder and a generous amount of salt and pepper. This is one of my favorite comfort dishes.
ReplyDeleteJust add a little water trust me it will make your noodles shine and not get soggy
ReplyDeleteMy grandmother made this dish all the time. V-8 juice is the key. It was my all time favorite dish next to her "Tater" Soup which was potatoes, onions & tomato juice. I've only been able to master the tater soup once. No one can make it like she did.
ReplyDeleteThis is a big family favorite. My mother in law made this with tomato soup, canned tomatos, butter, salt, pepper, & Italian seasoning. Always used elbow macaroni.
ReplyDeleteIts all about the tomato, I add Campbell tomato soup, tomato sauce , diced tomatoes and ketchup. The elbow macaroni really sucks up the water
ReplyDeleteBrings back memories of having this growing up. Of course then we used home canned tomatoes and juice.i still make it sometimes. My grandkids love it too.
ReplyDeleteMade these tonight and they were excellent! I crave macs and tomatoes. Two thumbs up, the bacon grease makes it. Thank you for sharing
ReplyDeleteAlways had this growing up also rice and tomatoes.
ReplyDeleteMany generations of comfort food in our family! My grandma,mom,me, my daughters, now my grandkids, they are picky eaters and won’t eat tomatoes for anything else , one big pan is gone in one meal, I even have their friends asking for it when they come over!! My all time favorite comfort food! We put just a sprinkle of grated cheese on top!
ReplyDeleteThis is my comfort food as well. Returning from a trip, after a hard day, any day at all. My mother's recipe was just pasta cooked in equal parts canned tomatoes & water, salt, and bacon grease. Yummy!
ReplyDeleteI make this bit as a main
ReplyDeleteDish! I put some ground beef in a pot with onions and the v8 or tomato sauce and diced tomatoes to boil and and add the macaroni after it is done. Its delicious with boiled rib tips too!!! I take the meat off and throw the bones away then add the rib meat unto the sauce.
My Mama made this too and we all loved it. She also added onion. I make it and I also add just a little onion to mine. I like it with just cornbread.
ReplyDeleteMy mom also used to make this when I was a child she would have to make two pans to feed 7 people in order for us to have at least two bowls a piece it was so good thank you so much for putting this up I have been looking for this exact recipe 4 months. Again thank you very much and my mother God rest her soul also thanks you.
ReplyDeleteWe always just boiled the noodles with salt, drained and added tomato juice or canned tomatoes from the garden and nothing else
ReplyDeleteI remember my Aunt Connie making this for her family of 9 and me(a child) and my family of 5. She put buttered bread crumbs on top and baked it in a huge 12” by 18”or so pan. Served with home made yeast rolls— that was Saturday night dinner in Mattawamkeag, ME in the 1960’s.. ❤️
ReplyDeleteI am so happy you shared this simple recipe…what a great reminder to make homemade juice…gosh I totally forgot how wonderful juice is. i love your pitcher!
ReplyDeleteWe put browned ground beef and some garlic powder Italian seasoning and chili powder in ours no certain amount just a few dashes of each.
ReplyDeleteMy mama loved this dish and I'm the only one of her 5 children that love it as well! Makes me want to fix some now!
ReplyDeleteMy mom made this on a regular and she would always fry up about 5-6 strips of fatback for the seasoning...and I still do. Really good with a biscuit
ReplyDeleteMy mama made this only she added browned hot sausage to it.
ReplyDeleteI make this but add ground venison to it and a couple of shakes of.mixed herbs. I made it for my FIL and BIL one time and they still talk about it!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing. I’m definitely gonna try this but reading the comments I’m gonna add onions and hamburger meat to it also. Think I’ll try it tomorrow as a matter of fact.
ReplyDelete