Mac and Cheese Bites (Plus VIDEO)

My mind is full of delicious thoughts from different holiday menus, and this Mac and Cheese Bites recipe is indeed one of them. Especially when it’s one of my favorite comfort foods of all time, Southern Baked Mac and Cheese, but in handheld snack form. Wow!

Snacking has never been this easy or tasty. However, I tend to eat more because they’re too addictive. So, I really don’t know if it’s a good thing or bad! 😂

Contents… A Fun Way to Enjoy Mac and Cheese! Mac and Cheese Bites Recipe Ingredients and Substitutes Recipe Variations Tips and Tricks Serving and Storage Instructions FAQs What to Serve with Mac and Cheese Bites? More Tasty Appetizers to Try How to Make Mac and Cheese Bites Watch How To Make It

A Fun Way to Enjoy Mac and Cheese!

Let’s start with cheese! I’m happy to present my favorite trio cheese combo – Mozzarella, sharp cheddar, and jack. I love them because they have the perfect balance of creaminess and intense flavors. They really make our mac and cheese bites recipe stand out. While the added bacon and garlic-infused breadcrumbs surely take these babies to a higher level of deliciousness.

And, of course, you can’t ignore the fact that they’re also deliciously crispy and crunchy with a nice gooey and chewy center. Aaah! So, irresistibly good!

Therefore, if you truly need some uplifting, this is the perfect comfort food for you. 😉

Mac and Cheese Bites Recipe Ingredients and Substitutes

It’s basically the same as my blockbuster Stovetop Mac and Cheese here, except this one has eggs and is baked in a muffin pan for easy snacking. To make this recipe, we’ll need:

Mac and Cheese Topping

• Butter and Garlic – I really love the combination of buttery and garlicky flavors. Not to mention their exceptional aroma filling the whole kitchen. Aah! Very relaxing, indeed!
• Bread Crumbs – It’s not your ordinary breadcrumbs because we’re gonna toss them in sauteed butter and garlic for an extra savory flavor and crunchy texture. It creates a surprise factor with every bite.

Mac and Cheese Bites

• Uncooked Macaroni – Our classic mac and cheese recipe often uses elbow macaroni. I love how the cheese sauce coats the macaroni and goes inside the small tube, too. That’s double the delight! Yaaay! But, of course, you can always use any pasta you prefer.
• Unsalted Butter and Flour – We’re going to make a lovely roux to thicken our cheesy homemade béchamel sauce. Speaking of roux, did you know that there are actually four types of roux? And each of them is used specifically for certain dishes according to their style. Learn more about it here: How to Make a Roux.
• Evaporated Milk – Thinning our cheesy sauce without losing its creaminess is made possible with evaporated milk. In fact, it makes our béchamel sauce even creamier. No evaporated milk at home? No problem! Because you can use any milk for this recipe, though I will suggest choosing the one with high-fat content. Or just make this evaporated milk from scratch here instead. 👌
• Onion and Garlic Powder – What I love about these two seasonings is how they capture the exceptional flavors and aroma of onion and garlic in the absence of fresh ones. Plus, using them saves me a lot of time cutting them. And lastly, picky eaters won’t need to pick out every bit and piece of garlic and onion found in their food. Whew! However, you can always use fresh garlic and onion for this recipe without worry.
• Creole Seasoning – And, of course, what makes my recipe stand out among the other mac and cheese recipes out there is the addition of Creole Seasoning. You’ll love the added Cajun touch to our classic favorite. Try it, and you’ll see (and taste) for yourself. 😉 And if you want to add herby flavors to our recipe, then I highly suggest adding a sprinkle of Italian Seasoning.
• Cayenne Pepper – This one is optional, although the added heat really adds a wow factor to our recipe. Feel free to add pepper flakes and paprika if you’re a heat-seeker like me.
• Mozzarella Cheese, Sharp Cheddar Cheese, and Jack Cheese – Oh, yeah! I love how this trio cheese combo adds the perfect gooeyness, creaminess, and cheesiness to all of my Mac and Cheese recipes. I have tried this recipe with Gouda, provolone, and parmesan, too, and they turned out amazing. And, of course, you can always add your favorite cheese for your personal touch to this recipe. Oh, and if you can’t handle dairy from cows, great substitutes to use are Manchego, kashkaval, and pecorino Romano.
• Eggs – This is the first time I added eggs to one of my Mac and Cheese recipes. However, the eggs are essential in this recipe to act as a binder and give firmer structure to our mac and cheese bites.
• Salt and Pepper – Don’t forget to season it well with salt and pepper to amp up the flavor, of course.

Recipe Variations

Extra Toppings – You can enjoy them plain, but why stop there when you can level up these handheld treats with the following toppings:

• Bacon, Ham, or Sausage – Well, you really can’t go wrong with adding meaty goodness to our baked savory treats. The meaty surprise will surely make them more entertaining and filling. Try it with my Oven Baked Bacon, Turkey Sausage, or Brown Sugar Glazed Ham for a sure-hit dish. 😋
• Cheddar – The cheesier, the better, of course! But you may opt for mozzarella cheese if you want something light and mild but still gooey.
• Lobster – If you enjoyed my version of Lobster Mac and Cheese, then you’ll definitely love our mac and cheese bites here topped with lobster, too. Shrimps make a great topping as well. So simple to make, yet so tasty and fancy. Oh yes! Plus, they’re cheaper, so it’s a win-win.
• Bell Peppers – Go for a guilt-free and healthier option with bell peppers. You’ll love its subtle sweetness and perfect crunch. 👌
• Fried Mac and Cheese – No oven? Then try these fried mac and cheese balls instead. Using the same recipe and procedure, scoop a good amount of mac and cheese and roll them with our butter and garlic flavored breadcrumbs. You can enjoy them deep-fried or air-fried. These fantastic treats are perfect for an appetizer, snack, or side dish.

Tips and Tricks

• It’s best to bring all the ingredients to room temperature to shorten cooking time.
• Pre-shredded bagged cheese tends to be drier; So, I highly suggest shredding blocks of cheese on your own for the best flavors. If you need to use pre-shredded cheese, try adding another tablespoon of evaporated milk.
• 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.

Serving and Storage Instructions

These mac and cheese goodies are perfect for snacking, and a quick comfort food fix. They are also highly addicting, so I recommend doubling the batch just to be on the safe side. Good thing you can make these babies ahead to have them ready for emergency cravings.😉

Storing Leftover Mac and Cheese Bites

• Make-Ahead – Cook the pasta and cheese sauce ahead and mix them. Only add the breadcrumbs when you’re ready to bake.
• Store – It’s nearly impossible to have any leftovers because they are so darn addicting. However, I do understand making them in big batches for easy snacking. (Because I always do that.🤩) Just remember to cool these bites completely before storing them in an airtight container or freezer-safe resealable bag.
• Refrigerate – Store them in the fridge for up to four days.
• Freeze – For longer shelf life, store them in the freezer for up to two months.

Make-Ahead Tip: Cook the pasta and cheese sauce as instructed, then mix them until everything is well-combined. Let them cool completely before storing. Then add the breadcrumbs toppings when ready to bake.

Reheating

• Microwave – Leftovers can be reheated in the microwave. However, you might need to brush them with butter to add moisture.
• Oven – Preheat the oven to 350℉/177℃ and reheat these bites of deliciousness for 5-7 minutes or until warmed through. If frozen, reheat for 10-15 minutes. No thawing is required. Yaaay!
• Air Fryer – Pop them in a preheated air fryer at 320℉/160℃ for 8-10 minutes.

FAQs

What to Serve with Mac and Cheese Bites?

Did I mention these babies are highly addicting? Just wait till you try them with the luscious dips below, and you’ll be craving them like crazy.

• Homemade Ranch Dressing
• Beer Cheese Dip
• Bolognese Sauce
• Barbecue Sauce
• Blue Cheese Dressing

More Tasty Appetizers to Try

• Air-Fryer Hush Puppies
• Pulled Pork Egg Rolls
• Coconut Shrimp
• Beer-Battered Onion Rings
• Southern Cheese Straws

How to Make Mac and Cheese Bites

Saute the Breadcrumbs and Cook the Pasta

• Heat Butter and Garlic – Place a small skillet on medium heat with two tablespoons of butter, then toss in a teaspoon of minced garlic and stir for about 30 seconds. (Photo 1)
• Add the Breadcrumbs – Throw in the bread crumbs and saute for about 3-4 minutes or until fragrant and slightly brown. Lightly season with salt and pepper if desired. (Photos 2-3)
• Cook and Drain – Cook the pasta according to package instructions, then drain well.
• Set Aside – Place hot pasta in a large bowl and set aside. (Photo 4)

Prepare the Muffin Pan

• Preheat the oven to 350℉/177℃.
• Prep the Pan and Set Aside – Spray muffin pan with cooking spray, then add the breadcrumbs. Alternatively, you can use finely grated cheese. Press down firmly and let crust come up the sides of the tin. Set aside. (Photos 5-6)

Make the Cheese Sauce

• Make the Roux – Add more butter to the skillet. As soon as butter melts, whisk in the flour. Continue whisking until flour is thoroughly mixed with butter, then cook for about a minute to eliminate the flour taste. (Photos 7-8)
• Add Evaporated Milk and Simmer – Slowly add evaporated milk a little at a time. You don’t want the mixture to form any lumps. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for about 2-3 minutes until the mixture thickens slightly. (Photo 9)
• Add the Seasonings – Stir in seasonings, onion and garlic powder, creole seasoning, and cayenne pepper until thoroughly mixed. (Photo 10)
• Add the Cheese – Stir in the cheeses and continue stirring until everything is melted, evenly combined, and smooth. Add salt and pepper to taste. (Photos 11-12)

Assemble Mac and Cheese Bites

• Pour the Sauce over Pasta – Remove the sauce from the heat and pour it over the pasta; mix well. Then add the eggs and any extras and stir until evenly incorporated. (Photos 13-15)
• Spoon and Press – Spoon a couple of teaspoons of the mac and cheese mixture into the prepared mini-muffin pan. Firmly pack them down. This step is crucial so that the mac and cheese bites won’t fall apart. (Photo 16)
• Add Toppings and Bake – Top with extra cheese, bacon, or bread crumbs. Bake for 8-10 minutes at 350℉/177℃. If using a regular muffin pan, bake them for an additional 4-5 minutes or until lightly brown and bubbly. (Photos 16-17)
• Cool Them Slightly – Remove from the oven and let rest for about 7-10 minutes. Resist the temptation to remove them straight out of the oven because they will fall apart. (Photo 18)
• Remove – Carefully run a knife around the edges of the muffin pan and then gently remove.
• Serve – Garnish with chopped chives or parsley. Enjoy!

Watch How To Make It

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