Description
Deliciously crispy on the outside and creamy on the inside, these Baked Mac and Cheese Bites are the perfect bite-sized comfort food. Made with a rich cheese sauce, tender elbow macaroni, and a crunchy breadcrumb topping, they are easy to prepare and ideal for parties, snacks, or a fun side dish.
Ingredients
Pasta
- 1 cup elbow macaroni (uncooked)
Cheese Sauce
- 1 tbsp butter
- 1 tbsp all purpose flour
- 1.5 cup heavy cream
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/8 tsp salt
- 1/8 tsp black pepper
- 1 egg
- 1 cup shredded cheese
Topping
- 2 tbsp seasoned breadcrumbs
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Muffin Tin: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and grease a 12-cup muffin tin to prevent sticking.
- Melt Butter and Make Roux: In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Stir in the flour and cook for about 1 minute while whisking continuously to form a roux, which will thicken the sauce.
- Add Heavy Cream and Seasonings: Slowly pour in the heavy cream while whisking constantly to avoid lumps. Add garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Continue cooking until the mixture thickens slightly and coats the back of a spoon.
- Cool Sauce: Remove the sauce from heat and transfer it to a large bowl. Allow it to cool slightly to prevent scrambling the egg in the next step.
- Combine Pasta and Egg: Stir the cooked elbow macaroni and egg into the slightly cooled sauce until fully combined, ensuring the egg is evenly distributed for binding.
- Fold in Cheese: Gently fold in the shredded cheese until evenly incorporated throughout the mixture.
- Divide Mixture into Muffin Tin: Evenly spoon the mac and cheese mixture into the prepared muffin cups.
- Add Breadcrumb Topping: Sprinkle the tops of each filled muffin cup with the seasoned breadcrumbs to create a crispy crust.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes or until the bites are set, firm to the touch, and lightly golden on top.
- Cool and Serve: Remove the muffin tin from the oven and let the bites cool for 5 minutes before carefully removing them to serve. This resting time helps them firm up for easier handling.
Notes
- For best results, cook the elbow macaroni according to package instructions until al dente before combining with the sauce.
- You can customize the cheese blend with sharp cheddar, mozzarella, or even a bit of parmesan for extra flavor.
- If desired, add cooked bacon bits or sautéed vegetables to the mixture for added texture and taste.
- To store leftovers, keep the bites in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave before serving.
- Make sure the sauce cools slightly before adding the egg to avoid scrambling it.
