Looking for a new way to enjoy comforting mac and cheese? Make this baked mac and cheese bites recipe for a fun and perfect finger food to serve to kids and adults.
Why This Recipe Works
I am proud to say that mac and cheese is one of my food specialties. I love the cheesy, comforting component of the dish and I also love the endless possibilities for adding new twists and flavors as well as using different cooking methods.
This baked mac and cheese bites recipe is a new twist that I am loving! I served these at a recent gathering and both kids and adults swooned over them. A single serving fits right in your fingers, which is a great way to ensure you don’t over-indulge (score!).
The crispy outer rim that forms while baking is perfectly crunchy and adds an element of such deliciousness to the final product. Plus, they are super easy to make and don’t require bowls and spoons (another score!) and they’re the perfect size for little fingers.
Make these for your next kid-friendly dinner and you will have people knocking down your door for the recipe! They’re also the perfect appetizer for your next game day party.
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.
Milk – To make this an even creamier dish, replace the milk with heavy cream.
Cheddar and mozzarella – Swap out these cheese varieties with any cheese that melts well, such as gouda, white cheddar, cream cheese or provolone.
Paprika – 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 parm sprinkled on top turns into such a perfect crunchy texture when baking. If you prefer, mix with bread crumbs for an even crunchier bite.
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
Mac and Cheese Recipes for Thanksgiving – 13 Delicious Ideas!
Mac and cheese is a Thanksgiving staple! Read on for some scrumptious macaroni and cheese recipes for Thanksgiving that you can make this year! You’ll find a ton of options to choose from in this roundup.
What To Serve With Mac and Cheese
Mac and cheese is a comfort food favorite! But what goes with it?! This roundup provides 16 delicious ideas about recipes to serve with mac and cheese to create a complete, satisfying meal!
Watch This Web Story on Bites of Mac and Cheese
This quick video shows you the highlights of making these delicious mac and cheese bites for dinner or as an appetizer!
How to Make 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 the butter over medium heat. Add flour and whisk until combined. Next 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 mixture into each prepared cup. 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 making sure 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.
How Long Does Macaroni and Cheese Last
If you have leftovers and you are wondering whether to toss or eat, read this article for information about how long mac and cheese lasts.
How To Reheat Mac and Cheese
Macaroni and cheese leftovers are inevitable since most recipes make huge batches. Learn how to reheat mac and cheese, while retaining moisture and flavor!
Substitute For Milk in This Dish
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!
FAQ About Mac and Cheese
You can definitely freeze mac and cheese! Place in a freezer resealable bag or air-tight container and store in the freezer for 3 to 4 months. When defrosting it, let it thaw in the refrigerator for 12 to 24 hours before heating and serving.
To reheat mac and cheese, transfer it to a saucepan or microwave-safe bowl. Add 1 to 2 tablespoons of milk and stir. Place the saucepan on a stove top over medium-low heat and stir until consistency is smooth and noodles are warmed through. If microwaving, heat in 1-minute bursts, stirring after each, until cheese has melted and the noodles are heated through.
Just about anything can be served alongside mac and cheese. Here are a few great options: steamed veggies such as broccoli or cauliflower, chopped salad, spinach or a Ceasar salad. Or how about roasted tomatoes or sauteed mushrooms?!
Mac and cheese can be made ahead of time. Make the recipe in its entirety the day before, then reheat until hot and serve.
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
- 8 oz elbow macaroni
- 1/4 cup salted butter
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups milk
- 1 1/2 cups cheddar cheese shredded
- 1 1/2 cups mozzarella cheese shredded
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- 1/4 tsp paprika
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
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 making sure 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.
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