Indulge in a lighter, healthier rendition of the classic comfort food with our Lighter Mac and Cheese with Tomatoes recipe. This delightful dish combines the creamy indulgence of mac and cheese with the vibrant flavors of tomatoes, creating a symphony of flavors that will tantalize your taste buds. Our recipe uses whole wheat pasta and low-fat milk to create a guilt-free version of this beloved dish, while still maintaining its rich and satisfying texture. The addition of cherry tomatoes and a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese adds a burst of freshness and umami, elevating this dish to a new level of culinary excellence.
This article also offers a delightful collection of other enticing recipes that are sure to satisfy your cravings for cheesy goodness. From the comforting Creamy Broccoli Mac and Cheese to the unique and flavorful Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese, each recipe brings its own unique twist to the classic mac and cheese experience. Whether you're looking for a quick and easy weeknight meal or a showstopping dish for your next gathering, you're sure to find a recipe in this article that will hit the spot. So, prepare to embark on a culinary journey filled with cheesy delight as you explore these delicious and versatile mac and cheese recipes.
Steps:
- Cook elbow macaroni as per instructions. * I add some olive oil to prevent it from sticking, but that's optional. Drain macaroni through colander.
- Return to pot or casserole dish and add tomatoes.
- Mix tomatoes into macaroni.
- Heat oven to broil (500 degrees F) and top with shredded cheese.
- Bake macaroni and cheese with tomatoes on middle rack under the broiler for 3-5 minutes or until bubbly and lightly browned (to your preference). * I put a cookie sheet underneath to prevent spills from dripping down. * Keep a close eye on it to prevent burning.
- Serve hot.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 576 kcal, Carbohydrate 53 g, Protein 31 g, Fat 29 g, SaturatedFat 18 g, Cholesterol 88 mg, Sodium 712 mg, Fiber 1 g, Sugar 4 g, ServingSize 1 serving
LIGHTER MACARONI AND CHEESE
These individual mac-and-cheese casseroles call for pungent Parmesan and extra-sharp cheddar, which means the noodles get away with less-than-usual amounts of cheese. Low-fat milk, chicken stock, and olive oil keep the sauce creamy.
Provided by Martha Stewart
Categories Food & Cooking Ingredients Pasta and Grains
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Spread tomatoes in a single layer on 2 rimmed baking sheets. Drizzle each sheet with 1 tablespoon oil; sprinkle each with 1/2 teaspoon thyme, and season with salt and pepper. Bake until tomatoes have softened, about 20 minutes. (Leave oven on.)
- Process bread in a food processor until coarse crumbs form. Melt 1 tablespoon butter with remaining tablespoon oil in amedium skillet over medium heat. Add breadcrumbs, and toss to coat. Season with salt and pepper; set aside.
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil over high heat. Add 1 tablespoon salt and the pasta. Cook pasta until almost al dente, about 5 minutes. Drain, and run under cold water to stop cooking. Transfer to a large bowl; set aside.
- Whisk 1/2 cup stock into the flour in a medium bowl; set aside. Melt remaining tablespoon butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Stir in nutmeg, cayenne, remaining 1/2 teaspoon thyme, and 1 teaspoon salt. Add milk and remaining 1 1/2 cups stock. Whisk in flour mixture. Bring to a boil, whisking frequently. Reduce to a simmer. Cook 8 minutes, whisking frequently. Add cheeses; cook, stirring, until melted. Pour over macaroni, stirring to combine.
- Put eight 4 1/2-by-1 1/4-inch ramekins on a baking sheet. Put 2 tomato slices in bottom of each ramekin. Divide macaroni mixture evenly among ramekins. Top each with a tomato slice. Sprinkle with breadcrumbs and thyme sprigs. Bake until bubbling and golden brown, about 30 minutes. Serve immediately.
BAKED TOMATO MAC 'N CHEESE
Watch out! This delicious macaroni and cheese recipe will have you making mac 'n' cheese from scratch instead of from a box forever. You and your family will be enjoying the warm, creamy, cheesy, comfort-foody deliciousness quicker than you think-perfect for a school night! And with the surprise of a bit of Mexican flavor, you'll be number one in their books.
Provided by Diana71
Categories Trusted Brands: Recipes and Tips Hunt's
Time 1h30m
Yield 6
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
- Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook elbow macaroni in the boiling water, stirring occasionally until tender yet firm to the bite, 8 minutes. Drain.
- Whisk milk and flour together in a small bowl.
- Melt butter in a large heavy pot over medium heat. Pour in milk/flour mixture; stir constantly until thickened. Add most of the cheese, reserving a few tablespoons to sprinkle over top before baking. Mix in drained tomatoes, and salsa verde. Continue stirring until cheese is melted. Season to taste with black pepper. Stir in macaroni and thoroughly blend with the sauce.
- Divide among individual serving-sized ovenproof baking dishes or ramekins. Top with remaining cheese. and bake 10 minutes. Place under broiler for an additional 3-5 minutes, or until top is browned.
- Bake in preheated oven until hot and bubbly, about 10 minutes. Turn on the broiler and cook until tops are browned, about 2 to 3 minutes.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 703.1 calories, Carbohydrate 70.6 g, Cholesterol 95.9 mg, Fat 33.7 g, Fiber 3.1 g, Protein 29 g, SaturatedFat 22.4 g, Sodium 1086.5 mg, Sugar 8.5 g
LIGHTER MAC AND CHEESE WITH TOMATOES
I have a full fat version of this posted, this one is equally as good and safe for weight watchers. I came up with it on the weight watchers website and if serving 4 people it is 5 points per serving.
Provided by Red Chef Mama
Categories One Dish Meal
Time 35m
Yield 4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
- Cook macaroni in boiling (not salted) water until al dente.
- Drain macaroni, place back in pot and add the sour cream, stir well.
- Add the tomatoes to the noodles and mix.
- Add the cheddar cheese and 2 tablespoons of the parmesan and stir until well mixed.
- Pour noodle mixture into square casserole dish.
- Mix the remaining parmesan and bread crumbs and sprinkle on top of the casserole.
- Bake until bubbly and brown (20-30 minutes) and enjoy!
Nutrition Facts : Calories 272.7, Fat 3.2, SaturatedFat 1.4, Cholesterol 7.3, Sodium 462.5, Carbohydrate 50.3, Fiber 3.6, Sugar 8.6, Protein 11
BAKED MAC AND CHEESE WITH BROILED TOMATOES
Blistered tomatoes and a crunchy panko topping elevate this three-cheese mac.
Provided by Martha Stewart
Categories Food & Cooking Ingredients Pasta and Grains
Time 1h10m
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Preheat broiler. Slice tomatoes into thick rounds, drizzle with oil, and season with salt and pepper. Broil until tomatoes start to brown, about 8 minutes; let cool slightly. Store, covered, in the refrigerator up to 1 day.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Boil pasta in a medium pot of boiling salted water until al dente, about 2 minutes less than per package instructions. Drain, reserving 1/4 cup pasta water.
- Return empty pot to medium heat and add butter. When butter melts and foams, add flour and whisk until darkened slightly, 1 to 2 minutes. Add mustard powder and whisk to combine. Slowly whisk in milk. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium and cook, stirring often, until thick enough to coat the back of a spoon, 3 to 4 minutes.
- Reduce heat to low and add cheese in 3 batches, starting with American. Follow with 2 cups cheddar and 1 cup Parmesan. Whisk to fully combine after adding each cheese. Season with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Toss pasta with cheese sauce and reserved pasta water. Transfer to an 8-inch baking dish.
- In a bowl, mix panko with melted butter and remaining 1/4 cup Parmesan and 1/4 cup cheddar. Top pasta with broiled tomatoes and panko mixture. Bake until bubbly, about 30 minutes.
BAKED MACARONI AND CHEESE WITH STEWED TOMATOES
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.
Provided by Karen..
Categories One Dish Meal
Time 1h10m
Yield 6-8 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Cook macaroni according to package directions and drain, rinse and set aside.
- In a large saucepan, over medium heat, heat the 3 cups of milk, butter, salt and pepper until hot but not boiling.
- In a small bowl or cup, combine 1/4 cup of milk with the cornstarch and stir until dissolved.
- Slowly add this to the hot milk mixture, stirring constantly with a whisk.
- When mixture has thickened, remove from heat and stir in 2 cups of the cheese until melted.
- Pour pasta into a large mixing bowl and add the cheese mixture and the stewed tomatoes.
- Mix well until macaroni is well coated.
- Pour into a greased 9 x 13 baking dish or 3 quart casserole and top with remaining cheese.
- Bake for 35 to 45, or until golden brown.
TOMATO MAC 'N' CHEESE
White cheddar cheese and tomatoes add a new dimension to macaroni and cheese.
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Dinner
Time 30m
Yield 6 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Cook pasta according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a Dutch oven, melt butter over medium heat. Stir in flour until smooth; gradually add the milk. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. , Reduce heat to medium. Stir in the cheese, salt, mustard and pepper. Cook and stir until cheese is melted. Drain pasta; stir into cheese sauce. Cook and stir for 3 minutes or until heated through. Stir in tomatoes just until combined.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 655 calories, Fat 36g fat (22g saturated fat), Cholesterol 111mg cholesterol, Sodium 789mg sodium, Carbohydrate 52g carbohydrate (9g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 31g protein.
Tips:
- Use a variety of cheeses. This will give your mac and cheese a more complex flavor. A good combination is a blend of cheddar, mozzarella, and Parmesan.
- Don't overcook the pasta. Cook it al dente, so it still has a little bit of a bite to it. This will prevent it from becoming mushy.
- Make sure the cheese sauce is thick and creamy. If it's too thin, it won't coat the pasta properly.
- Add some vegetables to your mac and cheese. This will make it more nutritious and flavorful. Some good options include broccoli, cauliflower, and peas.
- Season your mac and cheese to taste. Salt, pepper, and garlic powder are all good options.
- Top your mac and cheese with breadcrumbs or grated Parmesan cheese before baking. This will give it a golden brown crust.
Conclusion:
Mac and cheese is a classic comfort food that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. This lighter version of mac and cheese is made with whole wheat pasta, low-fat milk, and reduced-fat cheese. It's also packed with vegetables, making it a healthier option than traditional mac and cheese. Whether you're looking for a quick and easy meal or a dish to serve at your next party, this lighter mac and cheese with tomatoes is sure to be a hit.
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