Baked Mac and Cheese Bites Recipe - Chisel & Fork (2024)

If you love macaroni and cheese, but want something in bite-sized form for a delicious appetizer, these baked mac and cheese bites are for you.

If you follow this blog at all, you might be wondering... another mac and cheese recipe? Don't worry, I've got plenty more left in the tank! But with the holidays coming up, I thought it appropriate to share another recipe as it's become a tradition for me to make mac and cheese for pretty much any holiday.

And with these baked mac and cheese bites, it's a unique twist on a classic as you can just pick them up with your hand. Or eat with a fork if you prefer.

Mac and cheese is just one of those dishes I would honestly eat every day if I could. There is just something about it - probably the loads of cheese! I mean if you google why everyone loves mac and cheese, there are actual articles explaining why.

And while cheddar is my go-to with these, you can mix it up and try smoked gouda or a combination of cheddar and Gruyère. So if you're hosting people for a party and still debating on what to make, you can't go wrong with these cheesy bites.

Recipe Ingredients

• Macaroni - best for the bites.
• Unsalted butter - the fat for the roux.
• All-purpose flour - works with the butter to make a roux and thicken the sauce.
• Milk - whole milk is best.
• Sharp cheddar cheese - the main source of cheese.
• Cream cheese - adds a slight tanginess.
• Salt and black pepper - enhances the flavor.
• Egg - helps keep the bites together.

How to Make Mac and Cheese Bites

1. Preheat oven to 400°F. Spray mini muffin tin with cooking spray and set aside. Cook pasta according to package instructions.
2. Heat butter in medium pan over medium heat. Add flour and whisk until smooth and bubbly, about 1-2 minutes. Slowly add milk, whisking constantly. Bring to a simmer for 10 minutes or until sauce starts to thicken.
3. Add 2 cups of the cheddar cheese, cream cheese, salt and pepper and mix until creamy.
4. Add the cooked pasta to the cheese sauce and mix until pasta is coated. Let cool for 5 minutes before adding beaten egg and mix.
5. Spoon about 2 tablespoon of the mac and cheese into the mini muffin tins. It should just reach the top. Bake for 15 minutes or until golden brown.
6. Let cool for 5 minutes before removing and serve immediately.

Can I Use Regular Size Muffin Tins?

Yes it will just make 12 bites instead of 24. I like the mini muffin tins as it's the perfect size that only takes about 2 bites to eat and more people can enjoy them. But either size will work great for a party.

How to Freeze

You'll want to bake the mac and cheese first and then let cool completely before placing in a freeze Ziploc bag. You can keep them frozen for 6 months before using.

To reheat, just place in the microwave or you can put back in a muffin tin and cover with aluminum foil and bake at 400°F for 10 minutes or until the everything is warmed through.

Pro Tips/Recipe Notes

• Spray Muffin Pan - if you don't spray the pan with non-stick spray, it will be difficult to get everything out.
• Al Dente Pasta - don't over cook the macaroni as it will continue cooking in the oven.
• Less Milk - if you've made mac and cheese, you'll realize this uses less milk than usually called for. It is done on purpose as you want it to be more cheesy and saucy so it holds up together better.
• Sharp Cheddar - extra sharp cheddar cheese works best for these baked bites, whether it is yellow or white. But you could also mix it up and use smoked gouda or Gruyère as well.
• Cream Cheese - the cream cheese helps bind the cheesy bites to give a great consistency.

Other Appetizer Recipes

• Homemade Pizza Rolls
• Pizza Pretzels
• Garlic Shrimp and Avocado Crostini
• Cajun Boiled Peanuts
• Skillet Nachos

If you’ve tried these baked mac and cheese bites or any other recipe on Chisel & Fork, please let me know how it turned out in the comments below! You can also follow meonFacebook, Instagram, Pinterest and YouTube to see more tasty meals and anything else I'm up to.

More Appetizer Recipes