Easy Macaroni and Cheese Bites Appetizer

Name: Easy Macaroni and Cheese Bites Appetizer
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 20 min
Yield: 24 bites
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 Tbsp unsalted butter; 1/4 c Panko breadcrumbs, seasoned or plain; 2 c uncooked elbow macaroni; 1 egg, beaten; 2 c shredded Monterey Jack cheese, divided in half; 1 c shredded sharp cheddar cheese; 4 strips bacon, cooked crisp and crumbled; 1/2 tsp salt; 1 tsp Dijon mustard (optional); 1 c whole milk; 1 tsp finely chopped parsley (1/2 tsp dry)

By sylvia bourque
@saleenasmom

Indulge in your favorite comfort food, minus the guilt, with our homemade macaroni and cheese bites. I've added toasted Panko, bacon and parsley to give this dish a gourmet edge.

Blue Ribbon Recipe

Yum! These mac and cheese bites are cheesy, crispy, and delicious. The mix of Monterey Jack and cheddar cheeses makes these bites nice and cheesy. We recommend adding the Dijon mustard, it gives a slight tang to the bites. Smoky bacon is the perfect topping. By coating the tins with bread crumbs, they really do come out easy but it also adds a slight crunch to the mac and cheese. These will make a fun party appetizer, but would also be yummy at a luncheon or for game night. The Test Kitchen

Rating:

★★★★★ 1 vote5

Comments:

9 Comments

Serves:

24 bites

Cook:

20 Min

Method:

Bake

Ingredients

1 Tbsp

unsalted butter
1/4 c

Panko breadcrumbs, seasoned or plain
2 c

uncooked elbow macaroni
1

egg, beaten
2 c

shredded Monterey Jack cheese, divided in half
1 c

shredded sharp cheddar cheese
4

strips bacon, cooked crisp and crumbled
1/2 tsp

salt
1 tsp

Dijon mustard (optional)
1 c

whole milk
1 tsp

finely chopped parsley (1/2 tsp dry)
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How to Make Easy Macaroni and Cheese Bites Appetizer

Step-by-Step

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and grease mini muffin tin generously with butter or non-stick spray.
Coat insides of mini-muffin tin with bread crumbs (to help the bites hold their shape).
Bring large pot of lightly salted water to a boil and add macaroni. Cook 4-5 minutes, just until softened but not cooked through. Remove from heat, drain and return to pot.
Stir in butter and egg until pasta is evenly coated.
Mix in bacon, mustard, milk, salt, and cheeses (reserving 1 cup Jack cheese).
Then spoon into muffin tin, press filling gently with fingers (to help the bites hold their shape). Top with reserved cheese.
Bake 15-20 minutes or until top is golden brown.
Allow muffins to cool slightly before removing from pan. Garnish with parsley and enjoy.