Southern Cooks

[smilie]

I'm looking for a really good homemade macaroni and cheese recipe that includes tomatoes. My DH has been asking for this and I have no idea how to make homemade macaroni and cheese. The best I have ever had was when I lived in the South. REALLY GOOD FOOD!!!

 

[lemondog]

This is the one I make ALL the time for my family. It's my favorite and reminds of the kind my great-grandma used to make. I have never made it with tomatoes, but here is a good basic recipe.

HOMEMADE MAC & CHEESE

8 oz. box elbow macaroni
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 dash pepper
2 cups milk
1 1/2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded

Cook macaroni, drain. In saucepan melt butter, stir in flour, salt pepper and add milk and cook, while stirring until thickened and bubbly. Stir in 1 cup cheese until melted. Combine macaroni and sauce in buttered 2-qt. casserole dish. Sprinkle with remaining cheese and bake in 350-degree oven for 30 mins.

Make sure you salt your pasta water to help improve taste!

 

[Wishing on a star]

I am from the South, and I have never had macaroni and cheese with tomatoes either???? Macaroni and cheese, or macaroni with tomatoes, but not both together.

Macaroni and and cheese is very easy.
cook your macaroni until done, but not super mushy. (you don't want it to make 'mush' when you stir it all together.
Choose the cheeses that you like, you just have to be sure that the cheeses are the kind that melt. (some do not melt as well) Some like a sharp cheese, some like velveeta, some like mild cheddars or even american. Any cheeses that will melt well would be great.

Put a little milk, butter, and salt in a pot. (flour and pepper are optional)
As this heats, add twice as much cheese as you think you need!!!
Then add your macaroni.

Taste to make sure it has enough salt. (usually needs a bit more than you think) the amount of salt might depend on how salty your cheeses are.
Heat just until it starts to come to boil and the cheese starts to get melty. Do not overcook!

If you want to add tomatoes, I would probably dice and drain some canned tomatoes very well. They should probably be almost dry???? And then fold them in very carefully.

For those who want to make it into a casserole, just pour it all into a baking dish, top with more shredded cheese, and bake in a hot oven for a few minutes.

 

[smilie]

I've never had it with tomatoes either, but that's what he's asking for. I don't want to ruin it by guessing, but that's the chance he'll have to take. Thanks for the recipes! The way I like my macaroni and cheese is the more cheese the better!!!

 

[DisneyDmbNut]

Check Martha Stewart.com...she has one that is her mothers...I made it and it was out of this world!!!

 

[DisneyDmbNut]

Here is Martha Stewarts...I tell you...this is soooooooo good...not that easy but divide in half...it was soooooo good my DH asks for it often!
http://www.marthastewart.com/page.jhtml?type=content&id=recipe1573

Also Found this:

Nana's Baked Macaroni and Cheese and Tomato

1 cup macaroni
1 16 oz can Kitchen Ready tomatoes ( ground peeled)
1 10 oz pkg Cracker Barrel cheese (cut small cubes) the sharper the better

Cook macaroni according to pkg directions. Mix with the cheese in a greased
baking dish ( I usually double this and put in an 8 inch square pan) until
cheese begins to melt.

Add the tomatoes and mix ( I have also tried this with a can of diced
tomatoes). Top with Italian flavored bread crumbs and dot with butter or
margarine. Bake at 350 for 45 min.

 

[clarabelle]

If you like spicy here is a rotel one -I have never had it -but always wanted to try it
BAKED MACARONI and CHEESE



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ingredients:
3 cups uncooked elbow macaroni
1/2 cup margarine
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
2 cups milk
1 lb. shredded cheddar cheese
1 can (10 oz.) RO*TEL Diced Tomatoes and Green Chilies
Directions:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Cook macaroni as directed on package;
drain and set aside. Melt margarine over low heat. Stir in flour; cook
1 minute, stirring constantly until mixture is smooth and bubbly. Stir
in milk; heat to a boil; stirring constantly. Reduce heat and simmer until
thickened, about 1 minute. Add cheese and RO*TEL. Stir until cheese
is melted, then remove from heat. Stir macaroni into cheese sauce.
Transfer to an ungreased 9 x 12-inch baking dish. Bake uncovered 30
minutes or until heated through. Serves 10.

 

[DisneyDmbNut]

wow! That would be hot!
My mom always made rotel and cheese dip since she lived in El Paso in the 60's