No matter how full you are, there’s always room for mac and cheese. It’s too tempting to pass up its creamy goodness, especially those crunchy edges kids fight over. If homemade baked macaroni is a celebratory staple in your family, why not give it a little twist? Crank up the fun meter by turning the classic mac ‘n’ cheese recipe into a bite-sized appetizer.
These little treats have everything you love – the golden-brown bits around the sides and ooey-gooey pasta covered in creamy cheese sauce. And you don’t have to worry about silverware since you can serve them as finger food. More time to mingle and fewer dishes to clean!
The swap to the muffin tray is not for shock value only. The pasta will cook faster than a full-sized casserole. Besides, your little ones will have a beaming smile as soon as they see these mini cups of cheesy noodles on the table. Prepare the fanfare and try this holiday-special mac ‘n’ cheese!
Baked Mac and Cheese Muffins Recipe
This unique take on the mainstream creamy baked mac and cheese is one of the easiest versions. You can use Lady’s Choice Real Mayonnaise instead of roux to cut your prep time. The mayo will thicken the cheese sauce and give it a slight tanginess. Plus, your arms will thank you since there’s no more whisking involved.
Ingredients
- butter or cooking oil, for greasing
- 200 g elbow macaroni
- 4 eggs, beaten
- 1 cup grated carrots
- ¼ cup Lady's Choice Real Mayonnaise
- ½ cup milk
- 2 cups grated cheddar cheese
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp pepper
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ⅓ cup extra-virgin olive oil
Method
- Preheat oven to 375°F (191°C). Grease a muffin pan with butter or cooking oil.
- Boil water in a pot. Cook macaroni 3 minutes less than the recommended cooking time. Drain well and discard water.
- In the same pot, combine macaroni, eggs, carrots, Lady’s Choice Real Mayonnaise, milk, cheese, salt, and pepper. Stir until the pasta is well-coated.
- Use a ¼ measuring cup to fill the muffin pan with the macaroni mixture. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese and drizzle oil on top.
- Bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until the edges are browned. Serve hot.
What Is the Best Cheese for Mac and Cheese?
There’s only one rule: the cheese must melt. Otherwise, you’ll be stirring a sticky pot with chunks of curd. Look for cheese with a low melting point, like cheddar. You have plenty of options with a more decadent taste, such as Brie, Gouda, fontina, and Gruyère. Want to recreate the viral cheese pull? Add a cup of mozzarella to the pot and see the magic for yourself.
Pasta Toppings to Try
Christmastime calls for grandeur. Be bold and add some flair to your homemade baked macaroni and cheese! Here are some ideas you can steal.
Corn
Make a Southern-style mac ‘n’ cheese recipe with extra corn kernels. You can add them as is or toss them in some margarine and mayonnaise. If you prefer corn on the savory side, sprinkle some salt and pepper. Bake the mac and enjoy this a-maize-ing dish.
Hot dogs
The quickest way to lure picky eaters is by adding hot dogs to the dish. Pan-fry diced pieces and put them on top of your mac and cheese. It’ll be a guaranteed hit among kids as it resembles mini pepperoni pizza.
Mushrooms
Mushrooms are your go-to ingredient to cater to your vegetarian relatives. Try using fresh button, shiitake, oyster, or other mushrooms in stock. Or, you can also open a can and toss the contents into your pasta.
Peanut butter
Don’t knock it before you try it! The sweet-savory combo can be a conversation starter at your family reunion. Imagine two comfort dishes in one bite! Place a serving of peanut butter on the table and see who dares to put a dollop on top of their macaroni.
Some final reminders: Have your kids vote for their favorite mac and cheese toppings. Consider serving these with dipping sauces. And lastly, prepare to make a new batch before your family asks for seconds!
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