Creamy Tomato Baked Mac and Cheese

Who doesn’t love a big warm pan of comfort food on a cool and dreary day? This Creamy Tomato Baked Mac and Cheese is a new twist on an old classic. There are a lot of different variations of Mac and Cheese, but this is one that is sure to please even the pickiest eaters.

The secret to this recipe is the delicious creamy cheesy tomato sauce–not only does it taste great, but it has hidden nutrition powers thanks to canned tomatoes. These are a pantry superpower, and are teeming with vitamin C, fiber, potassium, and lycopene, an antioxidant with anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties. Plus, canned tomatoes actually have a higher lycopene content than fresh, as the cooking and canning process enhances the availability of the nutrient, making it easier for your body to absorb. Additionally, tomato products are great shelf-stable products that are affordable and also good for the environment. What’s not to love about that?!

Creamy Tomato Baked Mac and Cheese is perfect for all occasions: from a quick family dinner, to a work potluck, it’s sure to be a crowd favorite.

Creamy Tomato Baked Mac and Cheese

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Who doesn’t love a big warm pan of comfort food on a cool and dreary day? This Creamy Tomato Baked Mac and Cheese is a new twist on an old classic. There are a lot of different variations of Mac and Cheese, but this is one that is sure to please even the pickiest eaters.

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 40 minutes

Total Time 55 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 ½ cups elbow macaroni
• 3 Tbsp. unsalted butter
• 3 Tbsp. all purpose flour
• 2 cups milk
• ½ tsp. salt
• ¼ tsp. pepper
• 1 (14 oz.) can stewed tomatoes with juice
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• ¾ cup plain panko breadcrumbs

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350˚F. 
2. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add a sprinkling of salt to water and add in the macaroni pasta. Cook until it is a few minutes away from becoming al dente, about 5 minutes. Drain the pasta and set it aside. 
3. Heat a medium-sized oven safe skillet over medium heat. Add in the butter and allow it to melt. Then mix in the flour until combined. Cook the flour for about 1 minute then, while whisking,  pour in the milk. Heat the milk for about 5 minutes then mix in the salt, pepper, and tomatoes. 
4. Bring the sauce to a simmer while stirring constantly. Cook for 5-6 minutes until it has thickened. Add in the cheese and mix until fully melted. Then add in the pasta and mix until well combined.
5. Top the mac and cheese with the breadcrumbs and transfer the pan into the oven. Bake for 35-40 minutes until the top is golden brown and bubbling. Enjoy!

For other delicious comfort food recipes, check out some of our favorites:

Puttanesca Pasta
Pasta with Marinara and Roasted Vegetables
Walnut and Mushroom Ragu