My grandmother used to stretch out dinner with this tangy and savory trick when times were tough. Just 3 ingredients cook down into a surprisingly rich and hearty meal that the whole family devours.

This slow cooker 3-ingredient tomato juice macaroni is one of those humble, make-it-stretch dinners that feels straight out of a grandmother’s kitchen. The idea comes from the way my grandma used to turn a few pantry staples into a big, tangy, savory pot of comfort when money was tight and there were lots of mouths to feed. Elbow macaroni slowly simmers in tomato juice and a little butter until the liquid reduces into a thick, glossy, bright red sauce that clings to every noodle. It’s ridiculously simple, surprisingly hearty, and perfect for busy nights when you want something warm and filling without a lot of fuss.

Serve this tomato juice macaroni straight from the slow cooker with a sprinkle of salt and pepper at the table so everyone can season their own bowl. It pairs well with a simple green salad, steamed or roasted vegetables, or a plate of sliced cucumbers and carrots for crunch. If you have it on hand, a little grated cheese, a dollop of cottage cheese, or a side of garlic bread makes the meal feel more complete. Leftovers reheat nicely for lunch the next day, and the thick, saucy pasta also works as a base alongside grilled or baked chicken, sausages, or meatloaf.

Servings: 6

8 cups (64 fl oz) tomato juice

Lightly grease the inside of a 4- to 6-quart slow cooker with a little butter or cooking spray to help prevent sticking.

Pour the tomato juice into the slow cooker. Add the butter pieces, making sure they are spread out so they can melt evenly into the liquid.

Cover and cook the tomato juice and butter on HIGH for 1 hour, or until the mixture is hot and the butter is fully melted. This gives the sauce a head start so the pasta cooks more evenly.

Stir the tomato juice and melted butter together, then add the dry elbow macaroni. Stir well, making sure all of the pasta is submerged in the liquid as much as possible.

Cover and cook on HIGH for 45 minutes, then stir well, scraping along the bottom and sides of the slow cooker to release any pasta that might be sticking.

Continue cooking on HIGH for another 30 to 45 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes. The macaroni is done when it is soft and tender, and most of the tomato juice has reduced into a thick, glossy, bright red sauce that clings to the noodles. Total pasta cook time is usually 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes, depending on your slow cooker.

Once the pasta is tender and the sauce has thickened, turn the slow cooker to WARM. Give everything a final stir and let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes with the lid slightly cracked if the sauce looks very loose; it will continue to thicken as it stands.

Taste and adjust the seasoning at the table with salt and pepper if desired. Serve the macaroni straight from the slow cooker while hot, making sure to scoop from the bottom so every serving gets plenty of thick tomato sauce.

Because this recipe is built to be a true three-ingredient, budget-friendly meal, all of the flavor comes from the tomato juice and the slow reduction, just like something a grandmother would rely on during lean times. That said, you can easily dress it up if you have extras on hand. Stir in a handful of shredded cheddar, mozzarella, or Parmesan at the end for a cheesy version. Add a pinch of dried Italian herbs, garlic powder, or onion powder to the tomato juice before preheating for more depth. For more protein, you can serve it alongside cooked ground beef, sausage, or shredded rotisserie chicken instead of mixing them in, so the main recipe still stays three ingredients. If you want a creamier texture, stir in a splash of milk or a spoonful of cream cheese right at the end of cooking. Food safety tips: Make sure your slow cooker is set to HIGH while the pasta is cooking so it comes up to a safe temperature quickly; cooking on LOW can make the pasta mushy and keep the food at an unsafe temperature too long. Keep the lid on as much as possible so the internal temperature stays stable. Do not leave the finished pasta on the WARM setting for more than 2 hours; after that, cool leftovers promptly and refrigerate in shallow containers. Reheat leftovers thoroughly until steaming hot before serving, adding a splash of water or tomato juice if the pasta has thickened too much in the fridge.