My aunt made this old school lunch and I was shocked by how good it is. Simple comfort food. Just 3 ingredients!

If you have picky eaters, you can gently mash the stewed tomatoes more before adding the macaroni so there are fewer big chunks; the sauce will feel smoother but still taste the same. For families who like a little extra richness, stir in an extra tablespoon or two of butter right before serving. If you want a cheesier version, keep a small bowl of shredded cheddar or Parmesan at the table so everyone can add their own without changing the base recipe. To stretch the meal, you can serve the macaroni and tomatoes over toasted bread or garlic toast, almost like a Midwest-style open-faced comfort dish. For a slightly firmer pasta texture, check the slow cooker earlier and switch to WARM once the macaroni is just tender; slow cookers all run a little differently, so the first time you make this, keep an eye on it. Leftovers reheat well with a splash of water or a tiny bit of butter stirred in to loosen the sauce.