This Baked Mac and Cheese Bites Recipe is a fun and delicious twist on the classic dish, perfect for kids and adults alike. With a crispy outer rim and cheesy, gooey center, these bite-sized appetizers are easy to make and a hit at any gathering. Serve them as a snack or appetizer, and enjoy a tasty, mess-free treat that’s sure to please everyone!
Why This Recipe Works
- Homemade mac and cheese is one of my food specialties. I take this pasta dish very seriously.
- This baked mac and cheese bites recipe is a twist on the classic dish that is so delicious and fun.
- Kids and adults swoon over these cheesy bites, especially when served as a fun appetizer.
- A single serving fits right in your fingers, which is a great way to ensure you don’t over-indulge.
- The crispy outer rim that forms while baking is perfectly crunchy and adds an element of such deliciousness to the final product.
- These delicious bites are super easy to make and don’t require bowls or spoons and they’re the perfect size for fingers.
- Great finger food appetizer for parties, game day fare or tailgating!
Recipe Ingredients
Elbow macaroni – This small noodle works perfectly in this recipe with its bite-sized shape. If you need to change up the type of pasta used, select something small such as rotelle or farfalle.
Butter – Use salted butter for an additional salty touch or unsalted butter to cut down on the salt a bit.
Flour – All-purpose flour is my go-to for this recipe, but feel free to swap out your favorite variety.
Milk – To make this an even creamier dish, use whole milk or heavy cream.
Cheddar and mozzarella – Swap out these cheeses with any variety that melts well, such as gouda, white cheddar, cream cheese or provolone.
Seasonings – Salt, black pepper and paprika make the perfect seasoning combo. Feel free to include additional spices or seasonings of your liking, such as Italian seasoning, cayenne pepper, onion powder, extra salt and pepper or garlic powder.
Parmesan – Grated parmesan sprinkled on top turns into such a perfect crunchy texture when baking. If you prefer, mix with bread crumbs for even crunchier little bites.
More Mac and Cheese Recipes
- Crockpot Mac and Cheese (a Top 5 most popular Pip and Ebby recipe!)
- Instant Pot Macaroni and Cheese
- Baked Macaroni and Cheese Recipe
- Pumpkin Mac and Cheese
- Chili Mac
How to Make Easy Baked Mac and Cheese Bites
Step 1
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and coat a regular sized muffin tin with nonstick cooking spray. Set aside. In a large saucepan, bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add pasta and cook 2 minutes shy of al dente. Drain, rinse, toss with a bit of olive oil and set aside.
Step 2
In a large skillet or Dutch oven, melt butter over medium heat. Add flour and whisk until combined. Add milk and whisk until mixture is creamy and thickened, approximately 3 minutes.
Add cheeses, salt, pepper and paprika to the pan and stir until cheese has melted. Stir in the cooked pasta.
Step 3
Drop 2 heaping tablespoons of the macaroni mixture into the muffin cups. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese over the top of each mac and cheese bite.
Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown around the edges (a rim should form).
Run a butter knife along the outsides of each cup to release from pan. Remove and serve immediately!
Recipe Notes
- The key to ensuring these emerge from the muffin tin intact is to allow a golden rim (or crust) to form around each bite. If you cannot see a visible rim, pop the pan back into the oven for 5 minutes.
- For a more bite-size portion and to create mini mac and cheese bites, use a mini muffin tin and drop 1 tablespoon of the macaroni-cheese mixture into each cup.
- These babies taste even better the next day (if they last that long). To store them, wrap in plastic wrap or aluminum foil or store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave.
- This is a great recipe to serve as a party appetizer, but is also the perfect recipe for an easy family dinner.
- My kid loves dipping these pasta cheese balls into marinara sauce!
What To Serve With Mac and Cheese Bites
What goes with mac and cheese in bite-sized form? This roundup provides 16 delicious ideas about recipes to serve with mac and cheese to create a complete, satisfying meal.
Substitute For Milk in Macaroni and Cheese
Whether you are looking for a different flavor in your next creamy pasta dish or you just don’t have milk on hand, learn what to substitute for milk in macaroni and cheese!
How Long Does Macaroni and Cheese Last
If you have leftover macaroni and cheese and you are wondering whether to toss or eat, read this article for information about how long mac and cheese lasts.
Can Mac and Cheese Bites Be Frozen
You can definitely freeze these! Place in a freezer resealable bag or air-tight container and store in the freezer for up to 4 months. Allow them to thaw in the refrigerator for 12 to 24 hours before heating and serving.
How To Reheat Mac and Cheese Bites
Reheat mac and cheese bites in the oven at 375 degrees F for 10 minutes, or until warmed through.
Appetizer Menu For Your Next Party
- Instant Pot Cake made with a BOX MIX is super moist and flavorful and much less porous than its oven-baked counterpart. Use any box cake variety of your choice!
- French fries with not just a good seasoned sour cream recipe, but the best ever! This recipe gives Champps a run for their money! Great for your next stack of fries or even a platter of veggies.
- This easy 3 can chili recipe requires is a super comforting dish that is packed with flavor and requires only 30 minutes of your time.
- Pickle Rollups are most perfect appetizer for any type of gathering! Only THREE ingredients, ten minutes of your time and guests will be raving! These pop in your mouth so easily and will be gone in no time.
- Baked Hot Ham and Cheese Sliders on Hawaiian Rolls are also known as Tailgate Sandwiches because they are the perfect game-day party fare. They are bursting with flavor and gooey cheese!
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Baked Mac And Cheese Bites Recipe
Ingredients
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and coat a muffin tin with cooking spray. Set aside. In a large saucepan, bring water to a boil. Add pasta and cook 2 minutes shy of until al dente. Drain, rinse and set aside.
- In a large skillet or Dutch oven, melt the butter over medium heat. Add flour and whisk until combined. Add milk and whisk until mixture is creamy and thickened, approximately 3 minutes.
- Add cheeses, salt, pepper and paprika to the pan and stir until cheese has melted. Stir in the pasta.
- Drop 2 heaping tablespoons of the mixture into each prepared cup. Top each with a sprinkling of Parmesan cheese.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown around the edges (a rim should form). Run a butter knife along the outsides of each cup to release from pan. Remove and serve immediately!
Notes
- The key to ensuring these emerge from the muffin tin intact is to allow a golden rim (or crust) to form around each bite. If you cannot see a visible rim, pop the pan back into the oven for 5 minutes.
- For a more bite-size portion and to create mini mac and cheese bites, use a mini muffin tin and drop 1 tablespoon of the macaroni-cheese mixture into each cup.
- These babies taste even better the next day (if they last that long). To store them, wrap in plastic wrap or aluminum foil or store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave.
- This is a great recipe to serve as a party appetizer, but is also the perfect recipe for an easy family dinner.
- My kid loves dipping these pasta cheese balls into marinara sauce!
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