The best grilled cheese you’ve ever had runs head-long into your tomato soup and BOOM. You get baked mac and cheese with tomatoes. One of the best comfort foods (and the maybe the best macaroni and cheese) gets yet another transformation into this southern classic.
A couple of years ago, a reader asked me if I had a recipe for macaroni and cheese with tomatoes. I thought she meant macaroni and tomatoes (minus the cheese) which I know well. But she was insistent that no–there was an actual real version of macaroni and cheese that had tomatoes in it and that it was pretty doggone amazing.
I had my doubts.
Until I made it for myself. And now I realize I might be a borderline hard-headed idiot for not making it sooner.
The secret is using stewed tomatoes. Write that down. STEWED. Not diced, not chili-ready, not with basil and oregano. Stewed tomatoes are so good on their own–they’ve been cooked down with celery, onion and seasonings and have a slow-cooked flavor straight out of the can. (You can make homemade stewed tomatoes, but who has time for that? Me. Either.)
They might be my new food love.
Make your baked mac and cheese with tomatoes in a large skillet and add your tomatoes as the sauce thickens (before you add the cheese) and bake it all up together. For something fresh, you could add some cooked chicken to the party for a one-dish dinner or some of your favorite vegetables like peas or broccoli.
And just try not to fall in love with those tomatoes. And the macaroni. And the cheese. And the crunchy bread crumbs…it’s just one more way to love something that’s already amazing.
Recipes to serve with your mac and cheese with tomatoes:
- Crispy fried chicken tenders
- Classic stuffed peppers
- Homestyle meatloaf with brown sugar glaze
- Dressed up green beans
Try these other no-fail mac and cheeses recipes too:
- Baked macaroni and cheese
- Spicy macaroni and cheese
- Truly easy microwave easy mac and cheese
- Three cheese stovetop mac and cheese
- 18 best tips for super creamy macaroni and cheese

Baked mac and cheese with tomatoes
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 3 tablespoons all purpose flour
- 2 cups milk
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1 14- ounce can stewed tomatoes with the juice chopped
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 3/4 cup plain Panko bread crumbs optional
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350.
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil.
- Add the pasta and cook 2 minutes less than the package directs. Drain and set aside.
- In a large oven-safe skillet (if you don't have a skillet that goes in the oven you can transfer your mac and cheese to a baking dish in a bit), melt the butter and add the flour.
- Stir until the flour cooks and the raw flour flavor is gone--about a minute or so.
- Add the milk, salt and pepper and cook over medium heat 5 minutes then add the tomatoes and stir to combine.
- Bring to a simmer and cook until the sauce thickens--another 5 to 6 minutes.
- Add the cheese and stir until it melts.
- Add the pasta and stir.
- If transferring to a baking dish, spray the dish with non-stick spray. If not, transfer your skillet to the oven and top with the bread crumbs if you are using them.
- Bake until golden and bubbly--about 35-40 minutes. Serve warm.
Claire Newman
Wednesday 6th of April 2022
If you prepare ahead of time how long should you bake the casserole?
Rachel Ballard
Wednesday 6th of April 2022
If it's cold Claire, maybe 35 minutes. Just until it's hot all the way through and bubbly around the edges. --Rachel
Lauri J.
Wednesday 24th of November 2021
I make baked Mac and Cheese with tomatoes all the time. Reheating it is easy as long as you add a little milk or half and half before reheating it. Sooo good!
Paula
Tuesday 9th of November 2021
This was fantastic! I’ve made many versions of Mac and cheese and sometimes served the tomatoes on the side. This was the first with stewed tomatoes. Mixing it in before the cheese was genius! I didn’t have a can of stewed tomatoes so I made them which worked out perfect and the flavor like your tip mentioned made all the difference. Straight to Pinterest!!!! Will make again and again. I was even eating the leftovers cold lol not your kids Mac snd cheese!!!
Rachel Ballard
Friday 12th of November 2021
Yay Paula! That's wonderful. It's a favorite of mine as well. :) --Rachel
Sandy
Tuesday 19th of October 2021
Can you use oven roasted tomatoes instead of stewed tomatoes? I'm going to try this recipe on the weekend. Sounds delicious
A
Thursday 25th of November 2021
@Sandy, It’s the stewed tomatoes that make this. Trust us all.
Paula
Tuesday 9th of November 2021
@Sandy, do the stewed so worth it!
Rachel Ballard
Thursday 21st of October 2021
They are different things of course, but yes Sandy I think that would be fine. --Rachel
Goldie
Tuesday 4th of May 2021
Delicious.Tasted like the one my mother used to make. I used shell pasta, diced tomatoes and added a little onion, garlic and oregano.