Macaroni and Cheese with Tomatoes

By DreiFromBK

Ingredients

• Salt and pepper
• 1 pound elbow macaroni (see note)
• 1 (28-ounce) can petite diced tomatoes
• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 4 cups half-and-half
• 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
• 4 cups shredded mild cheddar cheese
• 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese

Details

Servings 8
Adapted from cookscountry.com

Preparation

Step 1

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To pack in bright tomato flavor in our Macaroni and Cheese with Tomatoes, we tried every type of tomato product we could think of to find the perfect balance of rich red color and bright tomato flavor. In the end, testers preferred canned petite diced tomatoes. But for even stronger tomato flavor, we discovered that undercooking the pasta and adding the tomatoes with their juices to the drained macaroni allowed the macaroni to soak up more of the tomato flavor. Returning the pasta to the heat afterward allowed the noodles to absorb some of the tomato juice. Finally, to avoid a curdled sauce, we added fat in the form of half-and-half (cut with some chicken broth) and a mix of sharp and mild cheddar cheese.

Of all the ingredients that get added to macaroni and cheese, few have as successful a track record as tomato.

Adjust oven to middle position and heat oven to 400 degrees. Bring 4 quarts water to boil in large Dutch oven over high heat. Stir in 1 tablespoon salt and macaroni and cook until just al dente, about 6 minutes. Drain pasta and return to pot. Pour diced tomatoes with their juices over pasta and stir to coat. Cook over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until most of liquid is absorbed, about 5 minutes. Set aside.

2. MAKE SAUCE

Meanwhile, melt butter in medium saucepan over medium heat until foaming. Stir in flour and cayenne and cook until golden, about 1 minute. Slowly whisk in half-and-half and broth until smooth. Bring to boil, reduce heat to medium, and simmer, stirring occasionally, until mixture is slightly thickened, about 15 minutes. Off heat, whisk in cheeses, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1 teaspoon pepper until cheeses melt. Pour sauce over macaroni and stir to combine.

Scrape mixture into 13 by 9-inch baking dish set in rimmed baking sheet and bake until top begins to brown, 15 to 20 minutes. Let sit for 10 to 15 minutes before serving.

MAKE AHEAD:

Macaroni and cheese can be made in advance through step 2. Scrape mixture into 13 by 9-inch baking dish, cool, lay plastic wrap directly on surface of pasta, and refrigerate for up to 2 days. When ready to bake, remove plastic wrap, cover with foil, and bake for 30 minutes. Uncover and bake until top is golden brown, about 15 minutes. Let sit for 10 to 15 minutes before serving.

In our search for the best way to add tomato flavor to macaroni and cheese, we took several wrong turns. Here are five products that didn't work—and the one that finally did.

We boil the elbows until they're just short of done and drain them. Then we stir the canned diced tomatoes, along with their flavorful "tomato water," into the drained pasta and cook them on the stovetop for 5 minutes so the tomato flavor can penetrate the macaroni as it continues cooking.