Mac & Cheese Bites

Versatility is the name of the game for me. I love a recipe that can handle what ever I want to do to it. This one fits that bill quite nicely.

It is meant to be made in a mini-muffin pan. It also works to make it in a regular muffin pan, or so I found out. It also works to freeze!


Now freezing is something special. I have grand kids. Freezing these in meal size portions for them (the same as snack size for their Dad!) makes it easy for their Mom to get lunch ready.

1/4 Cup Parmesan Cheese
1 1/2 T Butter
2 T Flour
3/4 Cup Milk
1 1/4 Cup Shredded Cheddar Cheese (shred this yourself, the prepackaged stuff gives it a grainy texture)
4 oz Velveeta, cubed
1 Egg Yolk, beaten
1/4 tsp Paprika (optional)
8 oz Elbow Macaroni, cooked
1/2 tsp Pepper Blend (for adults)(Lawry's makes a good one.)

Spray a muffin pan with vegetable spray. Sprinkle with half of the Parmesan cheese. This makes 12 regular sized 'muffins' or about 4 dozen mini 'muffins' for appetizers.

Melt the butter in a large sauce pan over medium heat. (large because this is the pan you are going to mix everything up in) Add the flour and cook for 2 minutes. Stir it after a minute to make sure it cooks evenly. Whisk in the milk and continue to whisk until thickened and bubbling. Remove from heat and stir in the cheeses until melted and smooth. Whisk in the egg yolk and paprika. Stir in the cooked and well drained macaroni until evenly coated. Evenly distribute into muffin pan. Sprinkle with remaining Parmesan cheese. Bake in a preheated 425 degree oven for about 10 minutes for mini muffin pan or about 18 minutes for regular pan.

They should be bubbly and have some browning on the edge and top. Allow to cool for 5 minutes or so and carefully transfer to a sering platter. (for appetizer) They take about 10 minutes to cool in the pan for wrapping and freezing. Otherwise they won't hold their shape and you have a mess. Or you could serve them right away to the kids to see if they like them.

My own large child, Ron, thought they were great. He ate two of them as soon as I took them out of the pan.