Description
A crispy, cheesy delight that combines the comfort of classic mac and cheese with a fun twist, making them perfect for parties or snack time.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Bites:
- 1 cup elbow macaroni
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
- 1 cup whole milk
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 2 tbsp butter, melted
For Seasoning:
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp freshly cracked black pepper
Instructions
- 1. Cook the Macaroni: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add elbow macaroni and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- 2. Prepare the Cheese Sauce: In a saucepan over medium heat, melt butter. Stir in flour (1 tablespoon) and cook for about a minute until bubbly. Gradually whisk in whole milk until smooth and thickened. Add sharp cheddar and Parmesan cheeses along with salt and pepper until melted and creamy.
- 3. Combine Everything: In a large mixing bowl, mix cooked macaroni with the cheese sauce. Allow to cool slightly before adding beaten eggs. Stir well to coat every noodle.
- 4. Shape Your Bites: Form small balls from the mixture using your hands or an ice cream scoop. Roll each ball in panko breadcrumbs until evenly coated.
- 5. Bake Them Up: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Place breadcrumb-coated bites on a greased baking sheet and drizzle lightly with melted butter for extra crunch. Bake for about 20-25 minutes or until golden brown.
- 6. Serve and Enjoy: Let cool slightly before serving warm with dipping sauces like marinara or ranch.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Snack/Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3 bites (90g)
- Calories: 270
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 550mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 27g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 80mg