This is my grandmother Bena’s bacon tomato pasta casserole recipe. It is an indulgently gooey take on mac and cheese but add some bacon and tomato sauce and you get the best comfort meal ever.
This recipe has been passed down the generations. My family members all make it and I’m sure future generations will make it, not even knowing who Bena was! It is one of those time-tested, soul-satisfying recipes that, once you’ve eaten it, you just have to make!
Can I make this recipe healthier?
For myself, I don’t see a way to do it. But that’s what makes it comfort food. I feel that most comfort foods are not super healthy, which is partly why they are comforting.
So, if you are looking for a comforting dish, this is the dish for you.
Do I have to use Velveeta cheese?
No! My family does, but you could substitute with cheddar, muenster or others. It’s okay to experiment, peeps!
Do I have to use elbow macaroni?
Nope. Your favorite noodle should work just as well.
I love casseroles! What about you? One of my all time favorites is the lobster casserole because I love seafood with a seacoast passion. Christopher grew up land locked, so he’s more partial to my rice casserole.
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How to make bacon tomato pasta casserole
Pre-step
Get a medium sized casserole dish.
Step one
Fill a stockpot halfway with water and salt it with 1 tablespoon of salt. Turn the heat on medium high until it comes to a boil.
Step two
Gather the ingredients – large elbow macaroni, uncured bacon, Velveeta cheese, and crushed tomatoes. (B)
Step three
Add cane sugar to the tomatoes and stir to combine. (B)
Step four
Heat a sauté pan on medium/low heat and cook the bacon for 10 minutes, flipping it every few minutes. Remove to a paper towel lined plate and blot the grease. Chop bacon to smallish pieces. (C) Transfer bacon to the sweetened tomatoes and stir to combine.
Step five
Cut the Velveeta cheese in slices. (D)
Step six
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
Step seven
Add elbows to the boiling water and cook for 10 minutes. Transfer to a colander and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process.
Layer time
Step seven
Layer tomato mixture in the bottom of a casserole dish and add a few spoonfuls of elbows. (E)
Step eight
Spoon some tomato/bacon mixture on the elbows. Be generous. (F)
Step nine
Place cheese slices on the sauce. (G)
Step ten
Continue layering until you run out of pasta. (three or four layers). So, pasta, sauce, cheese. Repeat. (H)
Step eleven
Pour in some milk (I used almond milk) until you can see it reach halfway up the side of the casserole dish. (I)
Step twelve
Cover the casserole dish and bake for 30 minutes. Once the timer dings, take the cover off and continue to bake it for another 30 minutes.
Look at all that cheese. I love the crispy bits. My sister does not.
Now, it’s time to spoon the bacon tomato casserole out and serve it to my adoring fan: Christopher. 🙂
Yum.
So delicious.
I hope you enjoy making this bacon tomato pasta recipe as much as we enjoy EATING it.
What is your favorite casserole? Leave me a comment as I’d love to know.
And as always, may all your dishes be delish!
If you’ve tried this Bacon Tomato Pasta recipe, I’d love the know what you thought about it in the comments below. I love hearing from you! You can also FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK, TWITTER, INSTAGRAM and PINTEREST to see more of my delicious food and delightful cocktails!
Bacon Tomato Pasta Casserole
Ingredients
- ⅔ pound elbow macaroni
- salt (for water)
- 28 ounces crushed tomatoes
- 1 tablespoon sugar (heaping – my family loves 2 tablespoons – but I only put in 1)
- 10 slices bacon (sautéed and chopped)
- 1 pound Velveeta cheese (sliced and tear as you layer it in)
- 1 cup almond milk (or any milk – this is approximate – after finishing the layering of the other ingredients, you will pour it halfway up the casserole dish)
Instructions
- Fill a large sauce pan ¾ with water, add salt and bring it to a boil.salt
- Sauté bacon until crispy (around 10 minutes) remove from pan, blot with paper towel to remove grease and cut in chunks.10 slices bacon
- Open can of tomatoes and add sugar and bacon and stir to combine. You may have to transfer it to a mixing bowl to fit all the bacon. I just keep it in the can.28 ounces crushed tomatoes, 1 tablespoon sugar
- Preheat oven to 350 F.
- The water should have come to a boil. Add elbows and cook for 10 minutes. It's okay for it to be al dente. Drain and run cold water over them to stop from cooking further.⅔ pound elbow macaroni
- Put a layer of tomato sauce on bottom of medium casserole dish.
- Add a layer of elbows and ladle some tomato sauce over them. Be generous.
- Tear the cheese into smaller pieces and place on top of sauce layer.1 pound Velveeta cheese
- Repeat layering, you will have at least 4 layers ending with cheese.
- Pour milk in until you can see it ½ way up the casserole dish.1 cup almond milk
- Bake covered for 30 minutes
- Uncover and bake for additional 30 minutes.
- Serve
- Smile
- Enjoy
Equipment
See all my favorite tools and gift ideas at my Amazon Store page!Check out Elaine’s Amazon Store!Notes
- I love Velveeta cheese in this pasta dish but if you prefer, you can make this with American cheese, sharp cheddar, muenster, or gruyere cheese.
- Use as much or little cheese as you like. My philosophy for this comfort casserole is more is better.
- Don’t like elbow macaroni? You can use penne, ziti, or any other noodle in this easy pasta dish.
- You will be cooking the pasta as you fry the bacon, that way this dish will be on your table that much faster.
Kari
I love finding family favorites like this! Yum!
Kari
http://www.sweetteasweetie.com
Elaine
Thanks Kari!!
Elaine
Catherine
Mmm that bacon! Looks so good. 🙂
Elaine
Thanks Catherine!
Elaine
Valentina | The Baking Fairy
Yum! Pasta, bacon, and cheese… all things I love. And I adore that it’s a family recipe, those are the best! Pinning for later!
Elaine
Valentina,
Thanks so much! Happy Monday!
Elaine
grace
this is fantastic. it’s like the epitome of comfort food and even the images make me happy. 🙂
Elaine
Thanks Grace!!
It is a comfort food. My family and extended loves this casserole.
Elaine
Natalie @ Obsessive Cooking Disorder
Aw your grandmother has such a cute name! Personally I’m all for 2100 when we have robots cleaning up the dishes 😉 Great recipe idea thanks!
Elaine
I’m with you on the cleaning robots! Wish we had those now. 🙂
Elaine
Carol Borchardt
This is something our kids and grandkids would really enjoy!
Elaine
Thanks Carol,
Elaine
Kristen
WOW! Beautiful photos. Who knew that velveta cheese could look so pretty! Recipe looks tasty!
Elaine
Thank you Kristen. I know, Velveta a guilty preservative ridden cheese concoction that I love.
Christie
Bacon is the perfect addition to this cheesy pasta.
Elaine
For sure Christine!
Kelly @ Trial and Eater
Haha, it’s interesting to think about what cooking would be like in the year 2100! Great comfort food pasta dish!
Elaine
Thanks Kelly! It is one of my favorite comfort dishes to eat.
Sarah @ Champagne Tastes
What a quick and easy dinner! Looks awesome!
Lisa | Garlic & Zest
My heart just stopped! Wow! This looks fabulous!
Joyce
I grew up with something similar. I can’t wait to see how this tastes!
Elaine
I hope you enjoyed it Joyce!
Tisha
So Cheesy!!! This is the perfect comfort dish!
Elaine
Thanks Tisha! Indeed it is!
sue | the view from great island
What a winner Elaine…this is the kind of thing I could eat for every meal of the day, starting right now, for breakfast 🙂
Elaine
Thanks so much Sue! And yes, my family could eat it 3 meals a day!
Andrea Metlika
Such a hearty and comforting pasta dish. My family will love this.
Elaine
Thanks Andrea! I’ve never met anyone who doesn’t like this casserole!
Helen of Fuss Free Flavours
This is a real winter warmer dish, so easy to make and ideal for a mid-week supper. Pasta dishes are so good, and this is a great take on a classic recipe.
Elaine
Thanks so much Helen!
Sonia
This looks and sounds super delicious and flavorful! Perfect dish for a weekend brunch! Going to try this soon 🙂 yum
Elaine
Thanks Sonia! I hope you enjoy it when you try it. It truly is a family favorite.
Gloria
This is the perfect comfort food. We are pasta lovers in our house. This is perfect any night of the week. I would make a huge batch so that we could have leftovers in the week too. AND…bacon makes everything better!!
Elaine
Indeed it does Gloria! Thank you.
Aleta
True to your name, this dish looks delish! Comfort food at its best, I can’t wait to make this for my family!
Elaine
Thanks Aleta!! 🙂
Anna
What a fantastic recipe with family history attached to it! Your step-by-step photos are so helpful! My other half loves anything with bacon and cheese, so this will definitely be making into our menu! And I’m with you on the crispy bits- I LOVE THEM ALL!
Elaine
Hehe. Thanks, Anna! We’re kindred spirits! I hope you enjoy it when you make it. It’s creamier and cheesier than it looks!
Dominique | Perchance to Cook
Oh my gosh… you had me at these mouth-watering photos but then I saw there was bacon, tomato and cheese inside and now I have to have it!! YUM
Elaine
Hehe. Thanks Dominque! I appreciate it.
Kylie | Midwest Foodie
I love old family recipes that are passed down through the generations! What a delicious meal and a great memory 🙂
Elaine
Thanks so much Kylie! I appreciate it. I love family recipe!
Marisa Franca
You’re right!! The dishes that are our favorites and past down generation to generation are not always the most nutritious but they are might tasty!! And I have to chuckle — I have the same casserole dish as you! I’ve had it since I got married many years ago. I like the addition of bacon to the tomato mac and cheese. A great main dish that is delicious and satisfying.
Elaine
Thanks Marisa! I think we got the casserole dishes shortly after we were married. 🙂
Lorie
I have a list of family and friends who will just drool over this one. So crazy simple and all the right flavors! Yum!
Elaine
Thanks Lorie!! I hope they enjoy it!
Kathryn
This is great comfort food that would be so perfect for an easy weeknight dinner!
Elaine
Thanks Kathryn. And yes, it’s so easy and perfect for weeknight dinners!
Claire | The Simple, Sweet Life
Pasta is such a great, busy weeknight option and I bet bacon really takes it to the next level! We’ll definitely have to give this a try.
Elaine
Thanks so much Claire! I appreciate it. I hope you enjoy this recipe once you do try it.
Jagruti Dhanecha
This recipe is a keeper! Soul warming, delicious and filling. You are so lucky to have your Grandma’s recipe.
Elaine
Thank you Jagruti! Yes, I treasure all of her recipes!
Jyothi (Jo)
I looooove flavour packed dishes and this pasta is just that. Pasta is great and with bacon it’s simply has be taste amazing. Love it
Elaine
Thanks so much Jo! I appreciate it!
Christopher
This is truly major comfort food for me. Tasty recipe, too!
Elaine
Thanks Christopher! One of our family favorites!