Horn & Hardart's Macaroni and Cheese ala Arthur Schwartz

This is from Arthur Schwartz's site, The Food Maven. Please see his original posting for its history and exact instructions. I doubled the recipe as I always make a double batch. While I am not a New Yorker, and I believe I'm the only one in my family who is addicted to this recipe- I crave this and make it at least every two weeks. The tomatoes are a must.

• Ready In: 45 mins
• Serves: 4-6

Ingredients

• 3  tablespoons butter
• 4  tablespoons flour
• 3  cups milk, plus
• 4  tablespoons  light cream (or milk)
• 2  cups  shredded cheddar cheese
• 1⁄2 cup  crushed cannned tomatoes
• 1  teaspoon sugar
• 3 -5  dashes cayenne
• 3 -5  dashes white pepper
• 1  lb  small macaroni noodles, cooked al dente
•  salt

Directions

1. Make white sauce- melt butter, blend in flour and cook for 2 minutes.
2. Beat in milk and cream.
3. Allow mixture to come to boil and thicken.
4. Stir in cheese, peppers, sugar, tomatoes and salt.
5. Stir in macaroni.
6. Pour into shallow buttered baking dish and bake 400 for 25-30 minutes.