Baked Macaroni and Cheese with Stewed Tomatoes

Submitted by Karen=^..^=

"Boy, does this bring back memories! When I was in high school, they served this every Friday in the cafeteria. I guess they had to make sure we had our vegetables :) It sounds gross, but I couldn't wait until Fridays, the macaroni and tomatoes were so good together. To this day, almost 20 years later, whenever I have baked macaroni & cheese, I crave stewed tomatoes. With this recipe, I don't have to."

 

• Ready In: 1hr 10mins
• Ingredients: 9
• Serves: 6-8

ingredients

• 1 (1 lb) box shell macaroni or (1 lb) box elbow macaroni
• 3 cups milk
• 1⁄4 lb butter
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1⁄2 teaspoon black pepper
• 4 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1⁄4 cup milk
• 12 ounces shredded extra-sharp cheddar cheese, divided usage
• 2 cans stewed tomatoes

directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Cook macaroni according to package directions and drain, rinse and set aside.
3. In a large saucepan, over medium heat, heat the 3 cups of milk, butter, salt and pepper until hot but not boiling.
4. In a small bowl or cup, combine 1/4 cup of milk with the cornstarch and stir until dissolved.
5. Slowly add this to the hot milk mixture, stirring constantly with a whisk.
6. When mixture has thickened, remove from heat and stir in 2 cups of the cheese until melted.
7. Pour pasta into a large mixing bowl and add the cheese mixture and the stewed tomatoes.
8. Mix well until macaroni is well coated.
9. Pour into a greased 9 x 13 baking dish or 3 quart casserole and top with remaining cheese.
10. Bake for 35 to 45, or until golden brown.

Reviews

[sharon32]

we loved it...even the pickey ones. Next time I make it I will use low- fat cheese and less of it

 

[Mysterygirl]

I love the flavor of tomatos and cheese. Didn't want to have to share it with anyone, but the others wouldn't let me keep all to myself. I'll make a double batch next time.

 

[msjenjenp]

5++++++ stars! This is really too good. I could probably eat all of it by myself and it makes a lot! I did add a few t's of minced onion to the butter and a little sugar, garlic powder and onion powder to the tomatoes, but it I don't think it really needs any tweaking. I LOVE stewed tomatoes and use them in a lot of recipes calling for diced tomatoes. I never pay extra for diced tomatoes. I just cut them up myself, as I did the stewed tomatoes in this fabulous recipe. I make this all the time with the boxed mac and cheese, but this is so much better. Now if I can just find the recipe for the school spaghetti and meat sauce! I used to love that. Thanks Karen!

 

[hmcconnell]

Best homemade mac & cheese I've made- I like how it uses cornstarch instead of flour; usually when I make it it has a too-floury taste. Didn't have stewed tomatoes but added a can of regular diced tomatoes and they were delicious in there! A nice comfort food treat.

 

[Gomezbrenda1995]

Do the stewed tomatoes need to be drained?