Tomato Macaroni and Cheese

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Tomato Macaroni and Cheese is a healthier, from-scratch macaroni and cheese recipe with a tomato and herb twist that is easy to make in less than 30 minutes. Thank you to Hunt’s Tomatoes for sponsoring this post.

Tomato Macaroni and Cheese | alidaskitchen.com

One of our favorite weeknight dinners, that is especially popular with the kids, is Macaroni and Cheese. I make a healthier version, from scratch, that is delicious on its own but is also very versatile. Using just a few simple ingredients, my simple mac and cheese recipe can be transformed into a whole new dish, like this Pulled Pork Mac and Cheese and this Spinach Macaroni and Cheese. There are so many delicious possibilities! With its simplicity and fresh flavors, this Tomato Macaroni and Cheese recipe may have become our new favorite!

Tomato Macaroni and Cheese | alidaskitchen.com

Tomato Macaroni and Cheese is made using a few ingredients that I have on hand at all times – pasta, canned tomatoes, cheese, evaporated milk and an egg. To give it the tomato and herb twist, I look no further than my pantry to find a can of Hunt’s diced tomatoes and Italian herb seasoning. A garlic breadcrumb topping is an optional, but delicious addition. Tomato Macaroni and Cheese then takes 15 minutes to make on the stove top and then bakes for 10 minutes. Perfect for a weeknight, a busy night or any time!

Tomato Macaroni and Cheese | alidaskitchen.com

The key to this Tomato Macaroni and Cheese recipe is (of course) the canned diced tomatoes. They are so convenient and tasty that we use them frequently in recipes. So much so that I have started really paying attention to where these canned tomatoes come from. After partnering with Hunt’s tomatoes, I learned that not all canned tomatoes get to the shelf the same way.

Did you know that some companies peel their tomatoes with chemicals like *lye, while Hunt’s peels their tomatoes using FlashSteam, a peeling process that uses steam from simple hot water? There is nothing wrong with *lye but, given a choice, I prefer to serve my family FlashSteamed tomatoes. That’s why when we are in the tomato aisle, my kids help me look for the FlashSteam logo (pictured below) to ensure I am getting tomatoes peeled without chemicals, like those from Hunt’s.

Tomato Macaroni and Cheese | alidaskitchen.com

From the tomatoes and the Italian herb seasoning to the classic, creamy cheesy macaroni and cheese, this Tomato Macaroni and Cheese recipe is sure to become a family favorite!

Tomato Macaroni and Cheese | alidaskitchen.com

Tomato Macaroni and Cheese
 
Author:
Yields: 4 to 6 servings
Ingredients
Breadcrumb topping:
  • 3 tablespoons breadcrumbs
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 1 teaspoon olive oil
Tomato Macaroni and Cheese:
  • 12 ounces elbow macaroni (or any short pasta)
  • 2 cups (8 ounces) shredded extra sharp cheddar cheese, divided
  • 1 (12-ounce) can fat free evaporated milk
  • 1 egg, lightly beaten
  • 1 can (14.5 ounces) Hunt's diced tomatoes, drained
  • 1 teaspoon Italian herb seasoning
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9-inch square baking dish with cooking spray and set aside.
  2. Make breadcrumbs: In a small nonstick pan, heat oil over medium heat. Add breadcrumbs and cook until toasted. Add garlic and stir for an additional minute. Remove from heat.
  3. Meanwhile in a large sauce pan, cook pasta to al dente according to package directions, drain and put back in the sauce pan over medium-low heat.
  4. Slowly add 1¾ cups cheese and evaporated milk, stirring constantly, until cheese melts. Quickly stir in egg.
  5. Remove from heat and add tomatoes and Italian herb seasoning and stir to combine.
  6. Pour into prepared baking dish and sprinkle the top with remaining ¼ cup shredded cheese and prepared breadcrumbs. Bake for 10 to 15 minutes, or until cheese is bubbly.

An easy recipe for Tomato Macaroni and Cheese | alidaskitchen.com

For more information about Hunt’s® tomatoes, visit their website and keep in touch on Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Hunt’s® tomatoes. *Lye peeling is generally recognized as safe by the FDA and has no adverse effects on the healthfulness of tomatoes.

Tomato Macaroni and Cheese | alidaskitchen.com

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Comments

  1. Wow, now I know about the lye peeling process, I am glad to know about an alternative. I think I also remember reading that the lye keeps the tomatoes from breaking down or something… Either way, I want to avoid it. Love this fast dinner recipe!

  2. i had no ideas that some canned tomatoes were chemically peeled! My family will love this twist on mac n cheese!

  3. Love Hunt’s tomatoes, and my kids would totally love this mac and cheese! YUM!

  4. This looks quite tasty! I love adding tomatoes to almost anything and this looks delicious. Also, I’m hungry.

  5. Love this twist on mac ‘n cheese. Now that you told me about the lye used in some tomato-peeling, I’ll never be able to just grab a can off the shelf again – I’ll have to read the label more carefully.

  6. I had no idea that some tomatoes are peeled chemically! I’m so glad to know this. This recipe looks fantastic and I know my family would love it!

  7. Yum! I love the twist on a homemade mac and cheese!

  8. Great idea to add the tomatoes, I’ve never thought to do that! Excellent.

  9. What an awesome “grown up” version of mac & cheese!