My grandpa relied on this 4 ingredient dinner during hard times. Cheap, filling, and incredibly comforting with tender noodles and savory franks in a warm tomato broth.

This 4-ingredient hoover stew is my kind of old-fashioned comfort food: simple, cheap, and surprisingly cozy. It’s inspired by the kind of pantry dinners my grandpa relied on during hard times—nothing fancy, just tender noodles, savory hot dog slices, and sweet corn simmered in a warm tomato broth. It comes together with basic, budget-friendly ingredients you can grab at any grocery store, and it’s exactly the kind of filling one-pot meal I reach for on busy weeknights when I want something nostalgic and satisfying without a lot of effort or dishes.

Serve this hoover stew in deep bowls with a sprinkle of black pepper or a little shredded cheese on top if you have it. It’s great with simple sides like buttered toast, saltine crackers, or a slice of crusty bread to soak up the tomato broth. For a bit more freshness, pair it with a basic green salad or some sliced cucumbers and carrots from the fridge. Leftovers reheat well for lunch the next day, and you can stretch the meal by adding an extra cup of cooked pasta or serving it alongside baked potatoes.

Servings: 4

8 oz elbow macaroni (about 2 cups dry)

Add the sliced hot dogs to a large pot or Dutch oven and place over medium heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 3–4 minutes until the edges start to brown lightly and some of the fat renders out. This step boosts the savory flavor of the broth.

Pour the stewed tomatoes (with all their juices) into the pot with the hot dogs. Use your spoon to break the tomatoes up a bit so they’re in smaller pieces. Add the drained corn and stir everything together.

Pour in 2 cups of water, then add the salt and black pepper. Stir, and bring the mixture up to a gentle boil over medium-high heat.

Once the liquid is bubbling, stir in the dry elbow macaroni. Make sure the noodles are mostly submerged in the tomato broth. If needed, add a little more water, a splash at a time, just until the pasta is covered.

Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer uncovered for 10–12 minutes, stirring every couple of minutes so the pasta doesn’t stick to the bottom. The macaroni should become tender, and the broth will thicken slightly as the pasta releases starch.

Taste the stew and adjust the seasoning with more salt and pepper if needed. If you prefer a looser, more brothy stew, stir in a bit more hot water until it reaches your ideal consistency.

Ladle the hoover stew into bowls and serve warm. The finished dish should have soft curved macaroni noodles, savory hot dog slices, and yellow sweet corn all swimming in a rich red tomato broth.

You can easily flex this hoover stew based on what you have on hand. Swap elbow macaroni for any small pasta shape, like shells or ditalini, keeping an eye on the cooking time so the noodles stay tender but not mushy. If you only have diced or crushed tomatoes, use those with an extra pinch of sugar or Italian seasoning to mimic the sweetness of stewed tomatoes. For a creamier version, stir in a splash of milk or a handful of shredded cheese at the end, off the heat. To stretch the meal, add an extra cup of pasta and a bit more water, or stir in a drained can of beans for more protein. You can also use turkey or chicken hot dogs if you prefer something lighter, or a plant-based hot dog for a meatless twist. Food safety tips: Keep hot dogs refrigerated and use them by the date on the package; once opened, they’re best used within a week. If you’re serving anyone who is pregnant, elderly, or immunocompromised, make sure the hot dogs are heated all the way through until steaming, as recommended for ready-to-eat meats. Cool leftovers quickly, transfer to an airtight container, and refrigerate within 2 hours. Reheat leftovers until piping hot, and enjoy within 3–4 days.