Light Mac and Cheese with Tomatoes
A lightened up version of Mac and Cheese! Great on flavor and texture…and simple to make! Use any combination of cheeses and a pasta shape to suit the occasion!
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 30 mins
- Total Time: 45 mins
- Yield: 8 1x
Ingredients
Scale
- 14 oz. bag of Basketball Pasta (or any other short shape!)
- 6 T. butter, divided
- 1 1/2 cups shredded Italian blend cheese (3,4 ,or 5 cheeses) (part of an 8 ounce bag)
- 1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 14 oz. can diced tomatoes, with juice
- 1 t. salt
- 1 t. Italian seasoning
- 1/4 t. pepper
- 1/2 cup panko (or dry seasoned bread crumbs)
- Fresh chopped parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Using 1 T. of butter, grease a 2 1/2 or 3 quart gratin/casserole dish.
- Cook pasta according to package directions, drain (RESERVE 1 cup of pasta water!), rinse with cold water and toss with 1 T. oil.
- In a large bowl, combine the can of tomatoes, with juice, 1 cup Italian blend cheese, 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese, all seasonings, 23 T. melted butter, and reserved pasta water. Add cooked pasta to bowl and toss gently to combine. Optional: Pull a few pieces of pasta out of bowl to save and top dish, so guests will notice the pasta shape!
- Pour pasta mixture in casserole dish.
- Combine panko with 2 T. melted butter in a small bowl.
- Sprinkle panko mixture over top of casserole.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes until dish is hot, pasta is melted and top crust is golden brown!
- Top with fresh chopped parsley and extra pasta pieces.
Find it online: https://pastashoppe.com/light-mac-cheese-tomatoes/