Baked Tomato Mac 'n Cheese

Baked Tomato Mac 'n Cheese
  • PREP TIME
    1 hrs
  • COOK TIME
    30 mins
  • TOTAL TIME
    1 hrs 30 mins
  • SERVING
    6 People
  • VIEWS
    40

Elevate your mac 'n' cheese game with this delightful recipe that marries the comforting creaminess of a classic mac with the vibrant flavors of ripe tomatoes and a zesty kick. Forget the boxed stuff; this scratch-made version is a guaranteed family favorite that's surprisingly quick to prepare, making it perfect for weeknight indulgence.

Ingridients

Adjust Servings

Nutrition

  • Carbohydrate
    71 g
  • Cholesterol
    96 mg
  • Fiber
    3 g
  • Protein
    29 g
  • Saturated Fat
    22 g
  • Sodium
    1087 mg
  • Sugar
    9 g
  • Fat
    34 g
  • Unsaturated Fat
    0 g

Follow The Directions

01

Step

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). (Prep time: 5 minutes)

02

Step

Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add elbow macaroni and cook, stirring occasionally, until al dente, about 8 minutes. Drain well. (Cook time: 8 minutes)

03

Step

In a small bowl, whisk together milk and flour until smooth to prevent lumps. (Prep time: 2 minutes)

04

Step

In a large, heavy-bottomed pot, melt butter over medium heat. Pour in the milk/flour mixture, stirring constantly until thickened, about 3-5 minutes. (Cook time: 5 minutes)

05

Step

Gradually add most of the cheese, reserving a few tablespoons for topping. Stir until melted and smooth. Mix in the drained diced tomatoes and salsa verde. Continue stirring until everything is well combined and heated through. Season to taste with black pepper. (Cook time: 5 minutes)

06

Step

Add the drained macaroni to the cheese sauce, stirring gently to coat evenly. (Prep time: 2 minutes)

07

Step

Divide the mac 'n' cheese among individual oven-proof serving dishes or ramekins. Sprinkle the reserved cheese over the top. (Prep time: 3 minutes)

08

Step

Bake in the preheated oven until hot and bubbly, about 10 minutes. (Cook time: 10 minutes)

09

Step

For a golden-brown top, place under the broiler for an additional 2-3 minutes, watching carefully to prevent burning. (Cook time: 3 minutes)

For an extra layer of flavor, consider adding a pinch of smoked paprika to the cheese sauce.
Feel free to experiment with different types of cheese. Cheddar, Gruyere, or Pepper Jack would all be delicious additions.
If you prefer a creamier sauce, use half-and-half or heavy cream instead of milk.
To make ahead, prepare the mac 'n' cheese through step 7, cover, and refrigerate. Add a few minutes to the baking time when ready to serve.

Broderick Mraz

Written by

Our recipe authors are passionate food lovers who share thousands of diverse dishes from around the world. They bring daily cooking inspiration with delicious, easy-to-make recipes for every occasion.

RECIPE REVIEWS

Avarage Rating: 4.8/ 5 ( 13 Ratings)
Total Reviews: (10)
  • Mackenzie Predovic

    So good! I used rotini pasta because that's what I had on hand, and it worked perfectly.

  • Nettie Lubowitz

    Easy to follow and so yummy!

  • Zula Schroedergulgowski

    I added a bit of hot sauce for some extra spice. Delicious!

  • Hillard Botsford

    My sauce was a little lumpy, but it still tasted great. I'll be sure to whisk the milk and flour together better next time.

  • Elda Gusikowski

    This is the best mac 'n' cheese recipe I've ever made!

  • Sedrick Rempelsmitham

    My kids devoured this! Definitely going into our regular rotation.

  • Marge Auer

    I tried this with pepper jack cheese, and it was amazing! Thanks for the great recipe.

  • Salvatore Flatley

    I added some cooked ground beef to make it a complete meal. It was a hit!

  • Zita Graham

    The salsa verde adds such a unique and delicious twist to classic mac 'n' cheese. I'll definitely be making this again!

  • Guiseppe Johnson

    This recipe is a lifesaver on busy weeknights! My kids love it, and I love how easy it is to make.

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