Gratineed Macaroni and Cheese With Tomatoes

Name: Gratineed Macaroni and Cheese With Tomatoes
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 55 min
Yield: 6 serving(s)
Ingredients: 16 ounces elbow macaroni; 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided, plus more; butter, for dish; 1 1/4 cups baguette, torn into small pieces; 1 tablespoon fresh thyme, chopped; 1 1/2 teaspoons coarse salt, divided; 3/4 teaspoon pepper, divided; 3 1/2 cups milk; 5 tablespoons flour; 1 pinch nutmeg; 4 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded; 16 ounces tomatoes, cut into 1 inch chunks

Submitted by WiGal

"My favorite macaroni and cheese but I love thyme!"

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photo by Lori Mama

Ready In:: 55mins
Ingredients:: 12
Serves:: 6

ingredients

16 ounces elbow macaroni
6 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided, plus more
butter, for dish
1 ¹⁄₄ cups baguette, torn into small pieces
1 tablespoon fresh thyme, chopped
1 ¹⁄₂ teaspoons coarse salt, divided
³⁄₄ teaspoon pepper, divided
3 ¹⁄₂ cups milk
5 tablespoons flour
1 pinch nutmeg
4 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
16 ounces tomatoes, cut into 1 inch chunks

directions

Bring a large pot of water to a boil.
Cook pasta until just beginning to soften, 2 to 3 minutes (it will not be fully cooked).
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Drain and rinse macaroni.
Butter a 9 X 13 inch pan or 3 quart casserole; set aside.
Melt 2 tablespoons butter, and pour over bread in a medium bowl; add 1 teaspoon thyme, 1/2 salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of pepper, and toss.
Heat milk in a sauce pan over medium heat until warm.
Heat remaining 5 tablespoons of butter in a high sided skillet or a pot over medium heat until foaming.
Add flour, cook, whisking 1 minute.
Whisk in warm milk a little at a time.
Cook, whisking constantly, until bubbling and thickened, 8-10 minutes.
Remove milk mixture from heat.
Add 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon pepper, 2 teaspoons thyme, nutmeg, and cheese to pan; stir until cheese is melted.
Stir pasta and tomatoes into cheese sauce.
Pour into buttered dish; sprinkle with bread topping.
Bake until bubbly and golden, about 30 minutes.
Let cool slightly before serving.

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Reviews

This is so yummy, better then the version I grew up on, sorry Mom!!! Ours was just the cheddar cheese, tomatoes, salt and pepper with the pasta. I wasn't sure if I would like the crouton type of topping, as I don't care the breadcrumb topping (to me it dries it out), but I really loved the flavor and texture of the croutons. I took photo's but was glad to see there was already wonderful photo's from Lori Mama. I let my butter broown too much, so I didn't have that vibrant orange color in my sauce. Thanks for posting a great recipe. Made for 123 Tag Game.

diner524
Lovely recipe. I'm happy I was able to harvest some of my thyme bush for this. Made for Everyday Holiday Tag. :)

Lori Mama