Baked Mac N' Cheese Bites

These babies are fairly easy and the perfect treat for football Sunday! Filling and easy to eat. It is basically our Baked Mac N Cheese recipe, cut in 1/2 and baked slightly differently!

Serving Size: 12 Muffin Cups

Ingredients

• 2 Cups dried Macaroni Pasta, cooked and drained

• 2.5 Cups Milk (we use 1% and it works great)

• 1.5 Cups Shredded Cheddar Cheese

• 1.5 Cups Shredded Mozza Cheese

• 0.5 Cup Italiano Cheese

• 1 Cup Panko Bread Crumbs

• 1 Stick + 2 Tbsp. Unsalted Butter

• 3 Tbsp. Flour

• 1 Tsp. Vegetable Oil

• 4 Cloves Garlic, minced

• 1 Tsp. Cayenne Pepper

• Salt to taste

• Pepper to taste

Directions

• Pre-heat oven to 425F degrees. Once pasta is cooked and drained, toss with 1 tsp. vegetable oil to avoid sticking. In a pan, heat 2 tbsp. of butter, once melted add panko bread crumbs, minced garlic, and a pinch of salt/pepper. Mix all ingredients around ensure all bread crumbs get coasted in butter. Allow to brown, and simmer (approx. 10 minutes). Set aside.

• While the bread crumbs are browning, grease a 12 cup muffin tin with a little butter or cooking spray. In a medium sauce pan, heat the 1 stick of butter until just melted, add the flour and whisk well. Whisk and continue to cook on medium heat for about 5-6 minutes. Gradually add the milk, raise the heat and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat again back to medium and cook until mixture thickens. Whisking often.

• Mix all 3 cheeses together in a bowl. Add the cheese (handfuls at a time) to the milk/flour mixture ensuring to save 1-2 handfuls for the end. Continue to whisk until mixture is soft. Add in salt & pepper to taste and the tsp. of cayenne pepper. Add in the macaroni noodles and mix well.

• Pour mixture into greased muffin tin then top with remaining cheese. Spread bread crumbs evenly on top of each as well. Bake until cheese is melted and bread crumbs are lightly browned (about 10 minutes). Top with chives or green onion before serving.