Creamy Tomato Macaroni and Cheese

From Martha Stewart Living TV show. This makes a delicious, creamy mac & cheese.

• Ready In: 1 hr
• Serves: 6

Ingredients

• 6  tablespoons unsalted butter, plus more for dish
• 1  lb pasta elbows or 1  lb pasta, twists or 1  lb corkscrew macaroni
• 1⁄2 cup all-purpose flour
• 5  cups milk
• 4  cloves garlic, minced
•  salt & pepper
• 3  cups cheddar cheese
• 3  cups monterey jack cheese
• 2  teaspoons dried thyme
• 2 1⁄2 cups  diced fresh tomatoes
• 3⁄4 cup  breadcrumbs (optional)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350.
2. Butter a 9 X 13 ovenproof dish.
3. Cook pasta about 8 minutes; drain, run pasta under cold water for 1 minute; drain well.
4. In a wide pot melt the butter; whisk in flour; cook 1 minute, whisking.
5. Whisk in milk and garlic; cook over med low heat until mixture thickens, about 10 minutes.
6. Season with salt& pepper.
7. Add cheeses, thyme and tomatoes; stir until cheese has melted; stir in reserved pasta.
8. Transfer to buttered dish; sprinkle with breadcrumbs; bake until top is golden brown, 20 to 30 minutes.