If you are a fan of macaroni and cheese then you will love this Mac and Cheese Bites recipe. The bite sized cheesy snacks are perfect to serve as a fun appetizer or a side dish. These are a favorite of my personal chef clients!
Who doesn't love mini versions of favorite foods? Cheeseburger Sliders, Mini BLT Bites and Roast Beef Crostini are small sized snacks I make on repeat for all our parties. They're all delicious, adorable and so much fun to serve and eat.
Mac and cheese comes to mind as an easy recipe. It's perfect to make into bite-sized mac and cheese cups. It's one of the best comfort food appetizer recipe and a crowd pleaser. I first made these mini snacks for a kid's birthday party at one of my personal chef client's homes. They were a hit with kids and adults alike!
And this recipe is nothing like the packaged variety. But, I must admit I do love making the one in the blue box with the neon orange dried cheese packet from time to time.
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Why you'll love this macaroni cheese bites recipe
This recipe is for cheese lovers. If that's you, you'll make this simple recipe for the following reasons.
- Perfect size ~ These bite-sized baked macaroni and cheese cups are the perfect finger food. There's no need for utensils making them ideal for your next party appetizer. They're also ideal single servings for little kids.
- Versatile ~ Serve these easy mini baked macaroni and cheese as a great appetizer, fun side dish, or an afternoon snack.
- Kid and adult approved ~ Mac and cheese is a favorite comfort food of both kids and adults. These tasty bites are smash with everyone.
Ingredients & substitutions
Gather some common ingredients to make macaroni and cheese bites. If substitutes can be made to the recipe, they're listed. Scroll to the recipe card for full quantities of the ingredients.
- Salted butter ~ Unsalted butter is also an option. Just adjust the amount of salt you add.
- All-purpose flour
- Whole milk ~ Low fat or skim milk are alternatives. But the homemade mac and cheese won't be as rich and delicious with these lower fat milks.
- Sharp cheddar cheese ~ Orange colored cheddar cheese gives mac and cheese its classic appearance. White cheddar cheese is also delicious in the recipe.
- Monterey jack cheese ~ The supreme meltability of this mellow cheese makes it perfect for this recipe. Mozzarella cheese is a tasty alternative.
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. Grab my favorite pepper mill.
- Onion powder and garlic powder
- Mustard ~ Yellow mustard, Dijon or spicy mustard are all options in the recipe.
- Large egg yolks
- Elbow macaroni ~ Classic mac and cheese typically uses elbow macaroni. Other small pasta shapes like ditalini, corbata (small bowties), or mini shells are great substitutes.
- Panko breadcrumbs ~ These extra crispy bits add a nice crunchy topping.
How to make mac and cheese bites
This is a brief overview of my mini mac and cheese bites recipe. I've included complete instructions in the recipe card along with a step by step cooking video.
1. In a saucepan, melt butter. Whisk in the flour then the milk. Cook for 1-2 minutes to thicken the sauce.
2. Stir in the cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses, kosher salt, black pepper, onion powder, garlic powder and mustard. Stir until the cheeses are melted.
3. Remove the pan from the heat. Stir in the beaten egg yolks and cooked macaroni into the cheese sauce.
4. Coat a nonstick mini muffin pan with cooking spray. Add 2 heaping tablespoons of the macaroni mixture. Pack down gently.
5. Toast the panko in 2 teaspoons of melted butter in a small sauté pan. Sprinkle on the mac and cheese bites.
6. Bake for 10-12 minutes. The panko will be crispy and golden brown. Cool for 5 minutes. Use a small spoon to remove the bites from the pan to a platter. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Expert tips for mac n cheese bites
- 1. Shred the cheese ~ Use a grater, food processor or KitchenAid slicer/shredder attachments to shred a block of cheese. The flavor is superior to the pre-shredded cheese available at the grocery store. Also, the freshly shredded cheese melts better too.
- 2. Pack it in ~ A medium cookie scoop makes for neat and quick work of filling each muffin cup. Pack the cheesy mixture into each muffin cup to ensure for sturdy handheld snacks and appetizers.
- 3. Let them rest ~ The mac and cheese bites need a bit of time to harden as they're super cheesy when they come out of the oven. Let them rest about 5 minutes before unmolding with a small spoon.
Variations
Try some of these creative ways to make these baked macaroni bites recipe one of your favorites.
- Spicy ~ Add 1-2 tablespoons of hot sauce with the seasonings to add zip to the bites.
- Meaty ~ Add about ¼ cup finely chopped ham or cooked bacon with seasonings.
- Veggie ~ Add about ¼ cup cooked and finely chopped spinach, broccoli, bell peppers, or zucchini with the seasonings.
- Italian ~ Add 2 tablespoons of basil pesto with the seasonings.
- Cheesy ~ Try some of these suggested cheese variations for mini mac and cheese bites.
Frequently asked questions
Remove the mac and cheese cups from the pan. Completely cool after baking. Store in an airtight container. These meal prep containers are my favorite ones. Store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or the freezer for up to 2 months.
Definitely. Prep the bites until just before baking. Cover the muffin pan with plastic wrap and refrigerate up to 6 hours. Pull the pan out of the fridge at party time. Bake in a 400 degree oven for 10-15 minutes. You may need to add a couple minutes as they will be cold from the refrigerator. Alternately completely prepare and bake the mini bites. Remove from the pan and store in the fridge in an airtight container. At serving time, place on a baking sheet. Warm in a 350 degree F oven for 5-7 minutes.
Yes you can! Coat a nonstick regular sized muffin pan with cooking spray. Fill each muffin cup to the top with the macaroni and cheese mixture and press down. Bake in a 400 degree F oven for 15-20 minutes. Let rest 5 minutes before removing the mac and cheese cups from the pan.
What to serve with mini mac and cheese bites
Macaroni and cheese is always a welcome addition to any party, meal or snack time. This mac and cheese bites recipe is delicious with many different entrees including meat and vegetarian options. Try them with one or more of the following recipes.
More pasta recipes like this one
With a wide variety of pasta dishes, there's something for everyone. It's aroma and flavor are intoxicating. These are some favorite pasta recipes.
One more thing
Did you try this recipe?
Let me know by leaving a comment and a star rating below. Share it on Pinterest, Instagram and Facebook.
Thanks ~ Amy
Recipe
Mac and Cheese Bites
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons salted butter divided
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup whole milk
- 1 ½ cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese packed
- ½ cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese packed
- ¾ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon mustard
- 2 large egg yolks beaten
- ½ pound elbow macaroni cooked and drained
- 2 tablespoons panko breadcrumbs
Instructions
- Prep the pan: Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Spray a 24-count, nonstick mini muffin pan with cooking spray. Set aside.
- Make the cream sauce: In a large saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for about 30 seconds. Whisk in the milk and bring to a boil. Cook, whisking occasionally, for about 1-2 minutes or until thickened.
- Add the cheeses and seasonings: Add cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses, kosher salt, ground black pepper, onion powder, garlic powder and mustard. Stir until the cheeses are melted.
- Stir in egg yolks and pasta: Remove from the heat and stir in the egg yolks and macaroni.
- Fill the muffin pan: Spoon 2 heaping tablespoons of macaroni and cheese into the prepared mini muffin pan. I like to use this medium cookie scoop. Pack each one down gently.
- Make the topping: Melt 2 teaspoons of butter in a small sauté pan. Add 2 tablespoons of panko. Stir occasionally until panko becomes golden brown. Remove from heat. Sprinkle mac and cheese bites with the toasted panko.
- Bake the bites: Bake for about 10 minutes, until golden and sizzling.
- Cool the bites: Let cool 4-5 minutes in the pan. This will ensure the bites stay together.
- Unmold the bites: Using a teaspoon, carefully loosen the mac and cheese bites and transfer to a platter to serve.
Kathie says
Can these be made with boxed Mac and cheese?
Amy Casey says
I've never tried this recipe with boxed mac and cheese. I don't think it would stick together and stay in the cup shape. If you give it a try, let me know your tweaks and results.
Becky says
I want to make these in 2 days! My pan is not a nonstick pan, will they still be ok if I sprayed well?
Amy Casey says
Make sure that the pan is completely and thoroughly sprayed and you should be good. Happy cooking!
Amy Casey says
This is one of my personal chef clients favorite party appetizer recipe.
Brian says
Alright so it's not really a question about the topic at hand here but... how long does it take you to put together these kind of posts? Is it easy? Like did you have to research all this stuff? I've been wanting to start a blog myself, so just curious. Sorry not totally relevant but figured I'd ask. Thanks in advance
amycaseycooks says
Hi Brian ~ It all depends on the topic and recipe. I would suggest researching whatever your topic is because readers will be counting on your information to be true. Good luck!
Courtney says
Do you need to separate the eggs? I noticed it asked for egg yolks.
Amy Casey says
Yes. Only the yolks are needed for the recipe.
Keystone Cheese says
Excellent value driven article here. Tons of information. Appreciate it.
amycaseycooks says
Thanks!
joann says
I would like to make these 4 days ahead and then reheat as appetizers. What do you thin
amycaseycooks says
Definitely! You can also freeze them. Just cool completely and freeze. Heat from frozen ~ add 5 to 10 minutes to the heating time.
Becky says
Does that mean cook them, leave in pan and freeze and then back in the oven for 20 minutes? Or freeze before cooking and then bake 20 minutes?
Amy Casey says
Bake them first, remove from pan and cool completely. Store in an airtight container. Then just reheat in the oven. I don't freeze them before baking.
Lisa Brisch says
Amy - these are the best version of mac & cheese bites ever! Super easy and so cheesy.
amycaseycooks says
Thanks Lisa! I love serving these at cocktail parties or for a fun side with barbecue.