Mac and Cheese Bites

Experience snacking with style with these crispy Mac and Cheese Bites filled with creamy and cheesy goodness inside. Made with trio cheese combo - Mozzarella, Sharp Cheddar, and Jack Cheese; and even more delectable with the added kick of heat from Creole Seasoning and cayenne. Certainly, a great make-ahead snack perfect for weekend game day and potluck.

Course Appetizer

Cuisine American

Prep Time 20

Cook Time 35

Resting Time 10

Total Time 1 5

Servings - 16 pieces

Calories 208kcal

Author Imma

Ingredients

Mac and Cheese Coating

1-2 tablespoons (14-28 g) butter
1 teaspoon (2.8 g) minced garlic
1 cup (119 g) breadcrumbs

Mac and Cheese Bites

8 ounces (226 g) Macaroni, uncooked
3 tablespoons (42 g) unsalted butter
2 tablespoons (20 g) all-purpose flour
1 12-oz can evaporated milk
½-1 tablespoon ( 3.5-7 g) onion powder
2 teaspoons (4 g) garlic powder
½-1 teaspoon (2-4 g) Creole seasoning
¼ teaspoon (0.5 g) cayenne pepper
½ cup (50 g) mozzarella, grated
½-1 cup (56-113 g) sharp cheddar cheese, grated
½ cup (56 g) Jack Cheese
salt and pepper, to taste
2 large eggs

Extra Toppings

5-6 slices cooked crispy bacon, chopped or crumbled (about 1/3 cup)
½ cup (56 g) cheddar cheese
1 cup (145 g) cooked lobster, chopped

Instructions

Bread Crumbs

Place small skillet on medium heat with tablespoons butter, then toss in 1 teaspoon minced garlic and stir for about 30 seconds.
Throw in bread crumbs and saute for about 3-4 minutes or until fragrant and slightly brown. Lightly season with salt and pepper if desired.

Pasta

Cook the pasta according to package instructions and then drain well.
Place hot pasta in a large bowl and set aside.

Prep the Pan

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Spray muffin pan with cooking spray and then add desired coating, breadcrumbs, or cheese.
Press down firmly and let crust come up the sides of the tin. Set aside.

Cheese Sauce

Add butter to skillet, as soon as butter melts whisk in flour. Continue whisking until flour is fully mixed with butter, then cook for about a minute to get rid of the flour taste.
Slowly add evaporated milk a little at a time; you do not want the mixture to form any lumps. Bring to a boil then reduce heat and simmer for about 2-3 minutes until mixture thickens slightly.
Stir in seasonings, onion and garlic powder, creole seasoning, and cayenne pepper until thoroughly mixed.
Stir in the cheeses and continue stirring until everything is melted and evenly combined and smooth. Add salt and pepper, to taste.

To Assemble

Remove from heat and pour over pasta, mix well. Then add the eggs and any extra additions and then stir until evenly incorporated.
Spoon about 2 teaspoons of mixture into the prepared muffin pan. Using a mini pan, firmly pack them down. This is a crucial step, so the mac and cheese bites won't fall apart.
Top with extra cheese, bacon, or bread crumbs. Bake for 8-10 minutes at 350 F. If using a regular muffin pan bake for an additional 4-5 minutes or until lightly brown and bubbly.
Remove from oven and let rest for at least 7-10 minutes. Do not try to remove them right from the oven. They will fall apart.
Carefully run a knife around the edges of the muffin pan and then gently remove.
Garnish with chopped chives or parsley. Enjoy!

Notes

It's best to bring all the ingredients to room temperature to shorten cooking time.
You can also add toppings such as bacon, ham, and lobster to make them more scrumptious.
Pre-shredded bagged cheese tends to be drier; So, I highly suggest shredding blocks of cheese on your own for the best flavors.
Make Ahead: Cook the pasta and cheese sauce ahead and mix them. Only add the breadcrumbs when you're ready to bake.
Leftovers can be reheated in the microwave, however, you might need to brush them with butter to add moisture.
The secret to these handy snacks is making sure they're packed tightly in ramekins or muffin pan or else they'll collapse.
Don’t cover baked mac and cheese with foil as it would steam on the inside, preventing it from achieving that slightly crusty golden bubbly top.
You can turn them into fried or air-fried mac and cheese balls. Do this by scooping a good amount of mac and cheese and rolling them in bread crumbs before frying.
Please keep in mind that the nutritional information is a rough estimate and can vary significantly based on the products used in the recipe.

Nutrition