Macaroni and Tomato Sauce

Macaroni and Tomato Sauce is a simple, comforting pasta dish featuring elbow macaroni tossed in a seasoned tomato-based sauce. It's a staple in many Western households, particularly in the United States and the United Kingdom, often made with pantry staples like canned tomatoes, onions, garlic, and herbs.

🍳 View the full Macaroni and Tomato Sauce recipe →

🍽️ Nutrition at a glance

This dish is primarily a source of carbohydrates from the pasta, with moderate fiber if whole-wheat pasta or added vegetables are used. A typical serving provides a modest amount of vitamins like vitamin C and lycopene from the tomatoes, and generally ranges from 250 to 400 calories depending on sauce richness and portion size.

Nutrition breakdown

Calories	220 kcal
Protein	8 g
Carbs	42 g
Fat	2.5 g
Fiber	4 g
Sugar	7 g
Sodium	580 mg
Potassium	350 mg
Vitamin C	15 mg
Iron	2.5 mg
Calcium	40 mg
Vitamin A	800 IU
Thiamin (B1)	0.3 mg
Folate	60 mcg
Manganese	0.8 mg

Per 1 cup (240 g) · estimated, varies by recipe

💡 What's interesting

Culturally, it's a quintessential 'pantry meal' or comfort food, often associated with simplicity, affordability, and home cooking. Nutritionally, the tomato sauce provides lycopene, an antioxidant that is more readily absorbed by the body when cooked, especially with a small amount of fat like olive oil.