Mac N Cheese… the ultimate comfort food. I couldn’t get enough as a kid and sometimes even today, I’ll grab the blue box out of the pantry and whip up some cheesy goodness. But, I always wanted to find a way to make my own. And I did. With some fresh pasta and delicious creamy cheese, these bites turned out magical.
My step dad made his own homemade version of mac and cheese and when I would fly to California to visit family, I always requested it. I would eat it for breakfast every day, honest!! I never got the recipe and when he passed away 8 years ago, he took the recipe with him. However, I have tried to duplicate it to no avail… his recipe was delicious and fondly remembered.
So last Friday, I made mac n cheese in his honor since it would have been his birthday. My version was to make the side dish with my own signature. These Muffin Tin Mac N Cheese Bites use two different kinds of cheeses, milk and a bit of wine to give them some amazing flavor. And cooking them in the muffin tin kept portions in control since both hubby and I are trying to be more mindful of this. So this recipe is what I came up with.
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Muffin Tin Mac N Cheese Bites
Print recipe
| Serves | 12 |
| Prep time | 10 minutes |
| Cook time | 10 minutes |
| Total time | 20 minutes |
| Allergy | Milk |
| Dietary | Vegetarian |
| Meal type | Appetizer, Side Dish, Snack |
| Misc | Serve Hot |
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 4 tablespoons all purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon garlic (minced)
- 1 tablespoon dijon mustard
- 1 1/2 cup 1% milk
- 1 1/2 cup mild cheddar cheese (shredded)
- 1 1/2 cup swiss cheese (shredded)
- 1/2 to 1 cup chardonnay wine
- 1lb macaroni pasta (cooked and drained)
- salt and pepper to taste
- paprika for garnish
Note
Substitute different cheese, like goat cheese or gruyere for a creamier texture.
Directions
| Step 1 | |
| Pre-heat the oven to 425 degrees. In a large pot, add the butter and flour and cook until thickened. Add the garlic and mustard and blend together | |
| Step 2 | |
| Add milk and stir until blended. Add the two cheeses and stir until melted. Add the wine and stir. | |
| Step 3 | |
| Take the cooked macaroni and add it to the cheese blend and coat the noodles. Add salt and pepper to taste | |
| Step 4 | |
| Spray a standard sized muffin tin with cooking spray. Fill each cup with 1/12 of the pasta mix. Sprinkle with paprika. Bake in the oven, uncovered for 10-12 minutes or until bubbly. | |
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Super cheesy and creamy in texture, my muffin tin mac n cheese side dish was perfect with a steak hot off the grill. You can use your favorite macaroni for this and even make them whole wheat if you prefer. I have the KitchenAid pasta attachments so I used the pasta press with the large macaroni plate. I was able to cut them to the size I wanted even though they were not all the same length. I think that makes this unique looking.
You can also add diced ham or some veggies to this if you want to make it a meaty side, but I think it’s fine just the way it is. If you were to add something, what would it be? Comment below and let me know.
For more Pasta ideas, click below to hop over to my Pasta Pinterest board
Follow Lori’s Culinary’s board Pasta Recipes on Pinterest.
If you are looking for that perfect side dish, check out the selections on my Veggies and Sides board on Pinterest. Follow Lori’s Culinary’s board Veggies & Sides on Pinterest.
It looks amazing. I’m definitely going to give it a try! So happy I found your blog though Tasty Tuesdays 🙂
Helene @Croque-Maman recently posted…Quick and easy: saumon en papillote
I would probably add bacon bites if i was going to add anything. Besides that the recipe is pretty good as is.
Holy cow. My kids will FREAK OUT with joy if I make this. Win!
Alison Moore Smith recently posted…Career Inequality No More – Obama Will Pay You to Be a Super Model!!!
I love home made mac and cheese. My husband likes the kind in the blue box. Due to this, we don’t eat it too often. I think I will try this. I love that it is in portion control sizes
Kathleen @ Fearlessly Creative Mammas recently posted…Tips and Tricks – Valentine’s Day
This looks amazing, can’t wait to try it. I would add chopped bacon and maybe a little bit of chopped green onion.
My little man LOVES mac and cheese. He will be very happy to try these!
Heather {Woods of Bell Trees} recently posted…Geometry’s for Suckers! Or Something Like That
I had to swing by from Tasty Tuesdays to see your recipe ’cause it sounded so yummy. I gotta say, I can hardly wait to try it myself! I just need to decide what cheeses to use. Also, we are an alcohol free home, what would you use to substitute for the wine? Or maybe I could just leave it out? Thanks for sharing! HUGS
Gosh, these look so good! We would finish this dish off in no time.
[email protected] recently posted…Red and White Chevron Wreath
I’ve been stuck on adding jalapenos for quite a while now. The first time I included some PepperJack Cheese, everyone went nuts over it, so we’ve been using PepperJack and/or extra jalapenos ever since. A little bacon or crispy pepperoni is always good too. I most recently did a chicken/pesto version that was a nice change of pace, but I think I prefer my mac and cheese without meat. Love that you used wine – I would never have though of that! I’ve got some playing to do … 😉
Chris at Hye Thyme Cafe recently posted…Spinach-Artichoke Bread … and a Semi-Grown-Up Grilled Ham and Cheese
These are so cute Lori! Thank you so much for linking this recipe up at Recipe Sharing Monday. I hope to see you back next Monday. Have a good weekend!
We love home made macaroni and cheese, but I am still looking for just the right recipe. These look and sound really good. I would love if you could stop by and share on my weekly recipe linky, Kids and a Mom in the Kitchen, https://totsandme.blogspot.com/2014/02/kids-and-mom-in-kitchen-72-rock-cycle.html
Have great day.
kewkew recently posted…Kids and a Mom in the Kitchen #72: Rock Cycle Fudge
The kids will like this! Thanks for sharing at The Weekend Retreat, Hope to see you back on Thursday!
these would make great kids party food. THanks for linking them to friday frenzy this week..
maria @ close to home recently posted…Mouth-Watering Chocolate Dessert Recipes Roundup
Yum! A new spin on a favorite comfort food! Thanks for sharing at Tasty Tuesdays! Pinning to the party board and can’t wait to see what posts you share next week! Have a terrific week!
Cathy
APeekIntoMyParadise.com
Thanks for sharing at #GetHimFed Friday! Your post is being featured on my blog this week! I hope you will stop by and link up again! 🙂
Kristin @ Dizzy Busy and Hungry! recently posted…Strawberry Cheesecake Cookie Tarts
What is it about food in muffin tins that seems so much more appealing to kids in particular? My kiddos would GOBBLE this up! Thanks for sharing at Saturday Night Fever!!
[email protected] recently posted…Black, White & Red Velvet Valentine’s Day Desserts
Hey thanks for the delicious recipe.
I hope my kids will love it.
Thanks
I would probably add bacon bites if i was going to add anything. Besides that the recipe is pretty good as is.
Bacon bits is a great addition idea. I’ll have to try that next time for my bacon loving friends.