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.
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.