A Favourite Mac ‘N Cheese – Oracibo

Ingredients

• 7 Tbsp. unsalted butter, room temperature
• 2/3 cup breadcrumbs made from crusty bread
• 1 Tbsp. chopped fresh thyme
• Salt & freshly ground black pepper
• 1 lb. elbow macaroni or other short tubular pasta
• 4 cups milk (not skimmed)
• 5 Tbsp. unbleached flour
• ½ cup chopped onions
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• Pinch of freshly grated nutmeg
• 1/8 – ¼ tsp. Tabasco or to taste
• 4 cups grated cheese (a combination of 2 cups old cheddar, 1 cup each Gruyere & Parmesan or Fontina)
• 1 lb. red & yellow tomatoes, cut into 1” pieces, or for small tomatoes, cut in half