Description
These Macaroni and Cheese Bites offer a delightful twist on the classic comfort food, combining creamy cheddar cheese sauce with perfectly cooked macaroni, baked into crispy, bite-sized portions. Perfect as an appetizer or snack, these bites are rich, cheesy, and satisfying, with a golden crust from the panko breadcrumbs.
Ingredients
Scale
Cheese Sauce
- ¼ cup salted butter
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon white ground pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- ¾ cup shredded white cheddar cheese
Macaroni and Assembly
- 8 ounces macaroni noodles, cooked and drained
- â…“ cup Panko breadcrumbs
- Butter or nonstick cooking spray (for muffin tin coating)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prep: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly coat a muffin tin with butter or nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Make Roux: In a medium-sized pan or skillet over medium heat, melt the ¼ cup of salted butter completely. Quickly whisk in the all-purpose flour, salt, garlic powder, and white ground pepper until the mixture is smooth and well combined to create a roux.
- Make Cheese Sauce: Gradually add the whole milk to the roux, stirring constantly. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and add both the sharp cheddar and white cheddar cheeses. Stir continuously until the cheese has melted and the sauce thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon.
- Combine Ingredients: Fold in the cooked and drained macaroni noodles and Panko breadcrumbs into the cheese sauce until evenly mixed.
- Fill Muffin Tin: Spoon the mac and cheese mixture into the prepared muffin tin, dividing it evenly among the cups.
- Bake: Place the muffin tin in the preheated oven and bake for 25 minutes until the bites are set and golden on top. After baking, remove the pan from the oven and use a spoon to gently loosen the edges of the bites from the tin.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the macaroni and cheese bites to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before removing and serving. Enjoy warm as a delicious snack or appetizer.
Notes
- Ensure macaroni noodles are cooked al dente to avoid mushy bites.
- Use a mix of sharp and white cheddar for balanced flavor and creaminess.
- Coating the muffin tin thoroughly prevents sticking and helps in effortless removal.
- Panko breadcrumbs add a light crunch; you can substitute with regular breadcrumbs if needed.
- Letting the bites cool slightly will help them hold their shape better when removed from the tin.
