These Macaroni and Cheese Bites are a fun and delicious twist on a classic comfort food! Imagine bite-sized portions of creamy, cheesy mac and cheese, baked to golden perfection in a muffin tin. They’re perfect for parties, potlucks, or a playful weeknight dinner. Kids and adults alike will love these cheesy little bites!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Fun and portable: These bite-sized portions are perfect for snacking, parties, or packing in lunchboxes.
- Easy to make: This recipe is simple to follow and requires minimal prep work.
- Cheesy and delicious: The creamy cheese sauce and perfectly cooked macaroni are a classic combination that everyone loves.
- Customizable: You can easily add different cheeses, spices, or mix-ins to create your own unique flavor combinations.
Ingredients for Macaroni and Cheese Bites
This recipe uses simple, pantry-friendly ingredients to create a cheesy and satisfying snack or meal. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Salted Butter: Adds richness and flavor to the cheese sauce.
- Garlic Powder and White Ground Pepper: Add a subtle savory flavor.
- Salt: Enhances the overall taste.
- All-Purpose Flour: Used to make the roux, which thickens the cheese sauce.
- Whole Milk: Creates a creamy and rich sauce.
- Shredded Sharp Cheddar and White Cheddar Cheese: A blend of cheeses for a sharp and cheesy flavor.
- Panko Breadcrumbs: Add a crispy texture to the mac and cheese bites.
- Macaroni Noodles: Cooked and drained for the perfect texture.
(Note: the full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card directly below.)
How to Make Macaroni and Cheese Bites
Step 1: Preheat and Prep
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Coat a muffin tin with butter or nonstick cooking spray.
Step 2: Make the Roux
Melt the butter in a medium-sized pan or skillet over medium heat. Once melted, quickly whisk in the flour, salt, garlic powder, and white ground pepper until smooth.
Step 3: Make the Cheese Sauce
Add the milk to the roux and bring to a boil over medium heat. Reduce the heat to low and add the shredded cheeses. Stir continuously until the cheese is melted and the sauce thickens.
Step 4: Combine the Ingredients
Add the cooked macaroni noodles and breadcrumbs to the cheese sauce. Fold to combine.
Step 5: Fill the Muffin Tin
Fill each muffin cup with the mac and cheese mixture.
Step 6: Bake
Place the muffin tin in the oven and bake for 25 minutes, or until golden brown and bubbly.
Step 7: Cool and Serve
Remove the pan from the oven and let the mac and cheese bites cool for 10 minutes before serving.
Tips for Making the Recipe
- Crunchy topping: For a crunchier topping, whisk together breadcrumbs with melted butter and sprinkle over the mac and cheese before baking.
- Cheese variations: Feel free to use your favorite types of cheese.
- Spice it up: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes to the cheese sauce for a spicy kick.
How to Serve Macaroni and Cheese Bites
- Party snack: These bites are perfect for parties, potlucks, or game day gatherings.
- Weeknight dinner: Serve them with a side salad or vegetables for a quick and easy weeknight meal.
- Lunchbox treat: Pack them in lunchboxes for a fun and satisfying lunch.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store leftover mac and cheese bites in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheating
Reheat the mac and cheese bites gently in the microwave or oven until heated through.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of pasta?
Yes, you can use other small pasta shapes, such as shells, rotini, or even ditalini.
Can I make these bites ahead of time?
Yes, you can assemble the mac and cheese bites ahead of time and bake them later. Simply cover the muffin tin tightly with foil and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking.
Can I freeze these bites?
Yes, you can freeze the baked mac and cheese bites. Allow them to cool completely, then transfer them to a freezer-safe container or bag. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
My mac and cheese bites are dry, what did I do wrong?
If your mac and cheese bites are dry, it could be that you overcooked them or didn’t use enough cheese sauce. Make sure to keep an eye on them while baking and adjust the cooking time as needed. You can also add a bit more milk or cheese sauce to the mixture if it seems too dry.
There you have it! A simple and delicious recipe for Macaroni and Cheese Bites. I hope you enjoy it!
PrintMacaroni and Cheese Bites Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 hours
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer, Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Macaroni and Cheese Bites are a fun and delicious twist on classic mac and cheese. They’re perfect for a party appetizer, a kid-friendly snack, or a comforting side dish.
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup salted butter
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon white ground pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 3/4 cup shredded white cheddar cheese
- 1/3 cup Panko breadcrumbs
- 8 ounces macaroni noodles, cooked and drained
Instructions
- Preheat and Prep: Preheat your oven to 350°F and coat a muffin tin with butter or nonstick cooking spray.
- Make Roux: Melt the butter in a medium-sized pan or skillet over medium heat. Once the butter is completely melted, quickly whisk in the flour, salt, garlic powder, and white ground pepper until smooth and combined.
- Make Cheese Sauce: Add the milk and bring it to a boil over medium heat. As soon as the milk begins to boil, reduce the heat to low and add the cheese. Stir the mixture continuously until the cheese is completely melted, and the sauce has thickened enough to coat the back of a spoon.
- Combine Ingredients: Add the noodles and breadcrumbs to the cheese sauce and fold to combine.
- Fill Muffin Tin: Fill your muffin tin with the mac and cheese mixture.
- Bake: Place the pan in the oven and allow your mac and cheese bites to cook for 25 minutes. Remove the pan from the oven and use a spoon to help loosen the edges of the bites from the tray. Allow the bites to cool down for 10 minutes.
- Serve: Serve and enjoy!
Notes
- Crunchy Topping: For a crunchier topping, whisk together ½ cup of breadcrumbs with 2-3 tablespoons of melted butter and sprinkle the mixture over your mac and cheese before baking.
- Cheese: You can use any type of cheese you like for this recipe.
- Make Ahead: You can assemble the mac and cheese bites ahead of time and bake them later. Simply cover and refrigerate until ready to bake.
- Storage: Any leftover mac and cheese bites can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days. Keep them in a Ziploc bag or airtight container.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bite
- Calories: 300kcal
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 500mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 50mg
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