Mac and Cheese Bites

These mini cheesy bites stuffed with three different types of cheese and topped with bread crumbs formed into little cups create the perfect appetizer.

Ingredients: elbow macaroni sharp cheddar cheese pepper jack cheese parmesan cheese milk flour garlic cloves butter salt and pepper bread crumbs

The Steps

Step 1: Melt butter in a skillet or dutch oven on medium-low heat and add crushed garlic. Cook about 1-2 minutes before garlic burns and butter browns. Add flour and mix until flour is mixed in to create a roux. Allow the flour to cook for about 3 minutes on medium heat. Add salt and pepper. Add in the milk and mix. Allow the milk to simmer until it begins to bubble and thicken.

Step 2: Add in the milk and mix. Allow the milk to simmer until it begins to bubble and thicken. Add in all of the shredded cheese and half of the bread crumbs. Mix in well and allow the cheese to melt. Mix constantly so that the cheese does not burn.

Step 3: Boil elbow macaroni according to the package instructions until they are al dente. Mix the cooked pasta in with the cheese sauce until all of the macaroni is evenly coated.

Step 4: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Grease a mini muffin tin. Place the macaroni mixture and form to each muffin cup. Top each macaroni bite with bread crumbs. Bake for 20-22 minutes or until the tops of the bites are golden brown. Serve while still warm.

Hint: once the mac and cheese bites are done baking, allow them to sit and cool in the pan for about 3-5 minutes. This will allow the cheese to set and give the bites a second to cool down.

For the full recipe and more check out www.thebutteredgnocchi.com