Ingredients
– 1 cup elbow macaroni
– 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
– 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
– 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
– 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
– 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
– 2 cups milk
– 1 teaspoon garlic powder
– 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
– 1/2 teaspoon paprika
– Salt and pepper to taste
– 1 cup breadcrumbs
– Cooking spray or oil for greasing
Instructions
Making Baked Mac and Cheese Bites is a straightforward process if you follow these simple steps:
1. Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the elbow macaroni according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
2. Make the Cheese Sauce: In a saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the flour and whisk to combine, cooking for about 1 minute.
3. Add Milk: Gradually pour in the milk, whisking constantly until smooth and thickened. This should take about 5-7 minutes.
4. Add Spices and Cheese: Stir in the garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Then, add the cheddar, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese, stirring until completely melted.
5. Combine Pasta and Sauce: Fold the cooked macaroni into the cheese sauce until well-coated.
6. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a mini muffin tin with cooking spray or oil.
7. Form the Bites: Using a spoon or cookie scoop, portion the mac and cheese mixture into the muffin tin, pressing down slightly to pack it in.
8. Add Breadcrumbs: Sprinkle breadcrumbs evenly over the top of each bite.
9. Bake: Place the muffin tin in the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown.
10. Cool and Serve: Once baked, remove the bites from the oven and let them cool for a few minutes before carefully removing them from the muffin tin.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 16 bites
- Calories: 190 kcal
- Fat: 7g
- Protein: 9g