Appetizers & Snackscarlsbadcravings5.0
Baked Mac and Cheese Bites
These Baked Mac and Cheese Bites, enrobed in panko on top and bottom, are crunchy, creamy, and utterly addictive. I’ve engineered the recipe to deliver flawless texture, big flavor, and a guaranteed no-fail method. Follow along for step-by-step photos, helpful tips, delicious variations, and everything you need to make these Mac and Cheese Bites a hit at your next party!
👥 36 Servings⏱️ Prep & Cook: 1h⏳ Prep: 45 min🔥 Cook: 15 min👤 Jen📖 carlsbadcravings
🥘 Ingredients
Check off ingredients as you prepare them:
🍳 Cookware
- pan
- oven
- saucepan
- bowl
- whisk
- mixing bowl
📝 Preparation Steps
1
Prep: Preheat the oven to 400°F. Generously spray 1 1/2 mini muffin tins (36 cups) with cooking spray containing FLOUR or generously butter and flour the pans.
flour2 tablespoons
2
Pasta: Cook the pasta according to the package directions in as little water as possible, drain, and set aside. Don’t rinse with water because we want it extra starchy to hold together. Meanwhile:
3
Toast the panko: Melt the butter and olive oil in a large saucepan. Add the panko and cook until golden. Then, transfer it to a bowl so it doesn’t continue to cook.
olive oil1 teaspoon
4
Make sauce: Melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the flour and whisk for one minute. Reduce the heat to low and gradually whisk in the milk. Then, add the Dijon, bouillon, and spices. Bring to a simmer until thickened, stirring often (not too thick, it will thicken more with the cheeses).
flour2 tablespoons
5
Add cheeses: Reduce the heat to low and whisk in the cream cheese until melted. Then add each cheese, a handful at a time, until melted. It's okay if there are still some cheese lumps at the end; they will melt during baking.
6
Combine: Add the pasta and eggs to a large mixing bowl and mix until well combined. Stir in the cheese sauce until evenly coated..
eggs2
7
Assemble: Sprinkle a heaping 1/4 teaspoon of panko on the bottom of each greased muffin tin (36). Top with a spoonful of mac and cheese (a 2-tablespoon cookie scoop works perfectly), then add a generous pinch of shredded cheddar, followed by panko.
8
Bake at 400°F for ⏱️ 15-17 minutes, or until set.
9
Cool for ⏱️ 5 minutes before removing from the pan. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired. Best served warm.
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