Whether it be the salty ocean air, pine-scented mountains or bustling Spanish streets, this dish roots me right back to my extended family in Barcelona, Spain. During the summer, all of my cousins, aunts and uncles gather around our outstretched dining table, eagerly awaiting Avia’s — what we call our Spanish grandmother — famous Macarrones to fill our plates and appetites.
Macarrones, a pasta dish with meat and homemade tomato sauce, is the perfect meal to cook in your apartment or dorm kitchen. It has a strong, impressive flavor, which is unexpected considering its low-numbered steps and ingredients. Whether making it for friends or family, it’s great to share with loved ones, especially if short on time — bringing a filling, protein-packed meal to your college routine.
Although a fairly simple mix of tomatoes, onions, meat and pasta, this dish holds a special place in my heart. During the 19th century, Spanish cuisine was heavily influenced by Italian immigrants, inspiring a delicious pasta dish called Macarrones. Today, this simple dish can be found in various restaurant menus or household cookbooks, including my own. From my grandma’s kitchen to mine and now to yours, here are my family's precious Macarrones.
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: Approx. 15 minutes
Yields: About 5-8 servings
Ingredients:
- 10 ½ to 11 ounces penne pasta
- 1 medium yellow onion
- 16 ounce whole peeled tomatoes
- 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 5 bratwurst sausages, chopped to ¼ inch bite-sized pieces
- ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Oregano, to taste
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
- Fill a medium pot with water. Once boiling, place the penne pasta inside and cook until al dente, roughly 8 to 10 minutes. Drain the penne pasta and set aside.
- Cut the tomatoes and onions in a medium dice. Add the onions to a pan with 2 tablespoons of olive oil, cooking them over medium heat for roughly 5 minutes until they are soft and transparent.
- Add the chopped tomato to the cooked onions and combine well with a dash of oregano seasoning. Cook over low heat for 10 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Set aside.
- Add 1 tablespoon to a separate medium-sized pan and cook the sausage pieces over medium-high heat until it loses its pink color. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Once cooked, add the sausage to the onion-tomato mixture and combine well. After combining well, add the mixture to the drained penne.
- Transfer the Macarrones to a 9-by-13-inch baking dish. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese on top and put in the oven for 10 to 15 minutes, or until the cheese melts and becomes golden brown.
While this recipe is best served warm, this meal can be stored in the fridge and reheated the next day in the microwave for 2 minutes or in the oven for 5 to 10 minutes.
Whether it be for a fancy meal or a relaxed night in, this Spanish comfort food is the perfect dish to make with a short amount of time. With its homemade tomato paste, spiced meat and gooey melted cheese, I’m sure this simple yet flavorful dish will satisfy any comfort food craving you might have. This meal transports me back to my summers with my family, and I hope it transports you someplace happy, too.
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