Mac and Cheese Bites Recipe
Baked mac and cheese bites made in a mini muffin tin with homemade macaroni and cheese topped with panko bread crumbs and even more cheese.
Servings: 8 servings
Ingredients
- 8 ounces elbow pasta
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon mustard powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 ¼ cups 2% milk
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded monterey jack cheese
- ¼ cup panko breadcrumbs
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F. Grease two mini muffin pans with nonstick cooking spray.
- In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook the pasta al dente according to package instructions, about 7–9 minutes. Drain and set aside to cool.
- In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the flour, garlic powder, mustard powder, salt and pepper, and stir to combine, about 2 minutes. Add the milk and whisk well to combine. Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally for 5 minutes.
- Remove the pot from the heat and add the cheese, stirring until melted. Fold the cooked pasta into the pot, or pour the cheese over the cooked pasta in a large bowl, and stir until evenly coated.
- Scoop about 2 tablespoons of the mac and cheese mixture into each prepared muffin cup. Pack it in with the back of a spoon to help the bites hold their shape. Sprinkle panko breadcrumbs on top.
- Bake until the cheese melts and the breadcrumbs are golden, 20–25 minutes.
- Cool the bites for 5–10 minutes before removing from the muffin cups and serving.
Video
Notes
My Top Tip: Let them rest. When the baked mac and cheese bites come out of the oven, the cheese will be really melty. Let them sit for 5–10 minutes so the cheese can harden and the bites can hold their shape.
Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave for one minute or in the oven at 350°F for 5 minutes.
Freezing Instructions: Make sure they are completely cooled, then place them on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Then transfer to an airtight container or freezer bag for long-term storage.
Nutrition
Serving: 6bites | Calories: 275kcal | Carbohydrates: 26g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 37mg | Sodium: 356mg | Potassium: 148mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 376IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 261mg | Iron: 1mg
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