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Home ยป Recipe Type ยป Pasta ยป Mac and Cheese
5 from 7 reviews

Tomato Macaroni and Cheese

50 minutes
tomato
By: Pamela Reed
Posted:6/16/21
Updated:3/25/24
Jump to Recipe

This macaroni and cheese recipe is loaded with freshly diced roma tomatoes and finished with crunchy breadcrumbs. Oven-baked until brown-edged and bubbling, it comes together in under one hour and is extra easy to prepare. Make ahead instructions provided!

spoon filled with macaroni and cheese in baking dish.

Macaroni and cheese with fresh tomatoes

Baked mac and cheese with tomatoes is one of my favorite macaroni and cheese recipes to make during the Summer months when it’s peak tomato picking time in the garden!

My kids love mac and cheese so I love being sneaky and throwing extra veggies in it! What’s not to love about elbow macaroni noodles, fresh juicy roma tomatoes and shredded cheddar cheese baked all together until creamy and bubbly?

If you love this baked mac and cheese with tomatoes, then check out more from my fresh tomato recipe collection and more macaroni and cheese recipes like slow cooker mac and cheese with snap peas and baked broccoli mac and cheese.

baked macaroni and cheese in baking dish with tomatoes.

What type of tomatoes should I use?

I recommend using roma (plum), beefsteak or heirloom tomatoes. Personally, when I make this I’m using roma tomatoes 75% of the time. These are all juicy tasty tomatoes that are filled with sweet flavor, perfect to compliment the savory noodles covered with cheese.

If you don’t have fresh tomatoes, you can also use canned diced tomatoes or stewed tomatoes instead!

How to make tomato mac and cheese

Boil your elbow noodles according to the instructions on the package and drain.

Add pasta into a greased casserole dish, along with a simple cheese sauce made with butter, flour, milk and shredded cheese.

saucepan filled with creamy cheese sauce with whisk in it.

In a bowl, stir together the tomatoes, sugar, Worcestershire, mustard, salt, pepper and thyme. Pour it on top of the elbow noodles in the dish. This is starting to look like a gorgeous red macaroni and cheese!

diced tomatoes on top of macaroni and cheese.

Top the casserole with breadcrumbs and bake until the cheese is bubbling and the breadcrumbs are golden brown. 

baked macaroni and cheese with tomatoes in blue baking dish.

Can I make this ahead of time for meal prep?

You can prepare mac and cheese up to 2 days ahead of baking. Make as instructed, and then put in the refrigerator, making sure you cover the top with plastic wrap or a lid.

When it’s time to make, add the breadcrumb layer on top and then bake as instructed. Since it’s coming straight from the fridge, you might need to add a extra few minutes.

tomato macaroni and cheese with browned top on white table with red tomatoes on side.

Storing and reheating leftovers

To store: Leftover tomato macaroni and cheese can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 to 4 days. If you’re storing it in a baking dish, make sure it’s wrapped tightly with plastic wrap or foil. 

To reheat: You can reheat in the microwave or oven. If you’d like to heat up in the oven, cover the dish with foil and bake at 350 degrees F for about 15 to 20 minutes or until warmed through. 

Pin for later:

Juicy tomatoes and savory seasonings baked into this Tomato Macaroni And Cheese transforms the recipe into a next-level comfort food. Great for meal prep and ready in less than 1 hour!
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5 from 7 reviews

Baked Macaroni and Cheese with Fresh Tomatoes

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This macaroni and cheese recipe is loaded with freshly diced roma tomatoes and finished with crunchy breadcrumbs. Oven-baked until brown-edged and bubbling, it comes together in under one hour and is extra easy to prepare. Make ahead instructions provided!
By: Pamela Reed
Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes minutes
Total Time 50 minutes minutes
serves 6

Ingredients

  • 2 cups elbow macaroni noodles
  • 1/4 cup butter
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups milk
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
  • 2 cups tomatoes (roma and beefsteak both work good) diced
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 1/4 cup bread crumbs

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
  • Spray a 9×9 baking dish with nonstick spray or butter it.
  • In a pot of salted water cook macaroni noodles according to the directions on box. Drain and pour noodles into the baking dish.
  • In a saucepan over medium high heat melt butter. Once melted add flour and stir until fully combined with the butter. Add milk and continue to cook, stirring often, until sauce thickens, about 4-5 minutes. Add in shredded cheese and continue stirring until cheese is completely melted.
  • Pour cheese sauce on top of noodles in baking dish and stir to combine and fully coat all the noodles.
  • In a medium-sized bowl mix tomatoes, sugar, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, salt, thyme and pepper. Pour on top of the noodles in baking dish and mix.
  • Sprinkle bread crumbs on top and bake, uncovered for 30 minutes. Remove from the oven or OPTIONAL: If you want the top browned, put under the stove broiler for 1-2 minutes, watching it very carefully to prevent burning.
  • Allow to sit for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy!
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Diet: Vegetarian
Keyword: tomato macaroni and cheese
Vegetarian Summer
Did you make this?I love seeing what you’ve made! Tag me on Instagram at @BrooklynFarmGirl and don’t forget to leave a comment & rating below.

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5 from 7 votes (2 ratings without comment)

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  1. Judy Talley says

    October 16, 2022 at 6:44 pm

    Fabulous with fresh tomatoes from our garden!!!

    Reply
  2. Erica says

    July 19, 2022 at 5:37 pm

    Hello, should I drain the diced tomatoes before adding them to the dish?

    Reply
    • Pamela says

      July 19, 2022 at 6:54 pm

      Hey Erica, nope, no need to drain them. Enjoy the mac and cheese, we just had it this week for dinner! ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
  3. DORIS B says

    December 29, 2014 at 4:57 pm

    Sounds delish. For a little kick, think I’ll add a can of rotel tomatoes instead of plain!!

    Reply
    • Pamela says

      December 29, 2014 at 7:01 pm

      Yum Doris, that sounds great!

      Reply
  4. CAPTAIN GEORGE DOWLING says

    July 16, 2014 at 10:03 am

    lol… Being an “Irishman”, that grew older, [Never “UP”!]; with MY SICILIAN,”PAISANS”!… WE WERE RAISED, EATING MACARONI & CHEESE, PREPARED THIS WAY?… LOL. Having my first taste of the Kraft, boxed version, at a friends house, [at about age 12?…], a white kid!….[ Non – Italian!]; for Dinner, i was perplexed, at why alot of kids, Raved about this method of preparation?… lol

    Reply
  5. Alexis @ Upside Down Pear says

    June 6, 2014 at 2:19 pm

    This sounds soooo delicious and tomatoes are my favorite!!! I can eat them like apples. I can’t wait to try this ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
  6. Peter @ Feed Your Soul Too says

    May 28, 2014 at 10:18 pm

    I love adding different food items into my macaroni and cheese. I really like what you did and the topping looks great.

    Reply
  7. Kristine @ Kristine's Kitchen says

    May 17, 2014 at 12:31 am

    Yum! I need to do more experimenting with veggies in mac and cheese. I think this recipe will be a great place to start! I’m anxiously awaiting my first homegrown tomatoes of the season, too. ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
  8. whatjessicabakednext says

    May 14, 2014 at 8:50 am

    This looks divine!

    Reply
  9. Choc Chip Uru says

    May 14, 2014 at 7:00 am

    Tomatoes are made for mac and cheese, delicious addition ๐Ÿ˜€

    Cheers
    Choc Chip Uru

    Reply
  10. Sarah & Arkadi says

    May 14, 2014 at 12:06 am

    yum! looks so comforting!

    Reply
  11. Cindy @ Pick Fresh Foods says

    May 13, 2014 at 11:32 pm

    Tomatoes make everything healthier ๐Ÿ˜€ This dish sounds delicious! I’m loving this combination!

    Reply
  12. Kayle (The Cooking Actress) says

    May 13, 2014 at 9:10 pm

    obviously this mac n cheese is health food. I know I’ll feel super proud of myself when I make it like-look at me! Eatin tomatoes (and mac n cheese)! ๐Ÿ˜€

    Reply
  13. Amy @ Elephant Eats says

    May 13, 2014 at 3:25 pm

    I always add some sort of veggie to my mac n cheese! Tomatoes are a lovely addition…even better if they’re fresh. Now I want some mac n cheese…

    Reply
  14. Carol at Wild Goose Tea says

    May 13, 2014 at 2:51 pm

    Who doesn’t love Mac and Cheese. Despite the fact there are many ways to prepare it, I have never done the tomato inclusion. Yay another excuse to make another batch of Mac and Cheese. You are my friend. Lol. Hey I am a gardener too. I am liking your gardening blogs also.

    Reply
  15. Monica says

    May 13, 2014 at 12:17 pm

    Tomatoes are such a great way to wake up mac & cheese…I adore tomatoes in almost everything and it is a great mate for pasta. I can just imagine your tomato planting excitement. Our farmer’s market opened up last Sunday and it was just amazing to walk among all the fresh produce and herbs.

    Reply
  16. Sophie says

    May 13, 2014 at 8:57 am

    A yummy easy peasy recipe too! Yeah for tomato plants! I have 4 tomato plants in larger pots!

    Reply
  17. Kumar's Kitchen says

    May 13, 2014 at 7:11 am

    oh those lovely tomato saplings…beautiful…and this dish is an all time favorite comfort food with a tangy-sweet tomato twist…loved it,thanks ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
  18. Jamie@Milk N Cookies says

    May 13, 2014 at 6:06 am

    I’m a mac ‘n’ cheese fiend, and I feel like I can always count on you to share a new mac ‘n’ cheese recipe! And yes, adding in some fresh tomatoes definitely makes it a healthy dinner (in my book, at least!)

    Reply
  19. Debra says

    May 12, 2014 at 9:39 pm

    I thought I slathered on the sun screen Saturday as I worked in the garden planting our little tomatoes…..nope—I am nursing a horrendous sun burn. What ever lead me to wear a tank top?!?!?!? ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
    • Pamela says

      May 13, 2014 at 11:33 am

      Get that big brim hat on Debra! Sorry that happened, it’s the worst. ๐Ÿ™

      Reply
  20. Laura @ Lauras Baking Talent says

    May 12, 2014 at 9:16 pm

    Tomatoes and Mac n cheese combined is a genius idea…..can’t wait for the garden update!

    Reply
  21. Gretchen @ Two Healthy Kitchens says

    May 12, 2014 at 4:20 pm

    Yes, yes I do love my veggies covered in cheese! That is the very best kind! And who doesn’t love a good mac n cheese recipe??? This one โ€ฆ it’s comfort food โ€ฆ sorta all grown up!

    Reply
  22. Mary Frances says

    May 12, 2014 at 4:13 pm

    Of course I agree with you! One never argues with mac and cheese, you know ๐Ÿ˜‰

    Reply
  23. Mary Frances says

    May 12, 2014 at 3:37 pm

    Perfect comfort food. I like that baked macaroni and cheese has become more popular, it’s so much better with that crust!

    Reply
  24. Christin@SpicySouthernKitchen says

    May 12, 2014 at 3:00 pm

    I can never resist mac and cheese! Love the addition of tomatoes!

    Reply
  25. Michelle says

    May 12, 2014 at 2:31 pm

    Yum! I love a cheesy breadcrumb crust. ๐Ÿ™‚ As a result of your post, I have been Google searching different things like, “When is the best time to grow tomatoes in Portland?” Turns out, it is almost time! I have a bunch of notes I am currently writing down. The plan is to visit a nursery this week armed with a bit of knowledge before making any final decisions. ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
    • Pamela says

      May 12, 2014 at 2:33 pm

      Grow Michelle grow! Can’t wait to see your veggies in a few months!

      Reply
  26. Angie@Angie's Recipes says

    May 12, 2014 at 1:35 pm

    This is one of my favourite comfort treats!

    Reply
  27. Alyssa @ My Sequined Life says

    May 12, 2014 at 12:44 pm

    Love the addition of tomatoes to macaroni and cheese. Plus you can’t go wrong with a bread crumb topping!

    Reply
  28. Ashley says

    May 12, 2014 at 12:34 pm

    It was pretty hot here this weekend – summer is definitely coming fast! And I love this mac and cheese – tomatoes are one of my favorites!

    Reply
  29. Melanie @ Carmel Moments says

    May 12, 2014 at 12:09 pm

    Just gorgeous Pam! Anything with tomatoes and cheese has to be incredible! Have a wonderful week!

    Reply
  30. Helen @ Scrummy Lane says

    May 12, 2014 at 11:50 am

    My hubby and I shared a grilled cheese sandwich with tomato added (on the inside and outside) today, Pamela, and somehow the tomato made it so much tastier. So … love this tomatoey version of macaroni cheese!
    Also, soooo inspired by your tomato-growing. I would LOVE to be able to do that one day not too far away!

    Reply
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Hi! I'm Pamela, an artist Mom who shares family recipes. My farm is a 1,000 sq ft apartment in NYC. Let's make dinner together.

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