Print

Baked Mac-and-Cheese Bites

thanksgiving appetizers
Print Recipe

Thank you PureWow for the recipe!

Ingredients

  • 1 lb. small elbow pasta

  • 3 Tbsp unsalted butter

  • 1 small onion (minced)

  • 2 garlic cloves (minced)

  • ¼ cup all-purpose flour 

  • 2 + ½ cups whole milk 

  • ¼ tsp cayenne pepper

  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper

  • 2 cups grated white cheddar cheese 

  • 2 cups grated yellow cheddar cheese (divided)

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 375°F and grease two mini-muffin pans with nonstick cooking spray. 

  2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the elbow pasta and cook according to the package instructions, about 7-9 minutes, then drain. 

  3. In another large pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the onion and sauté until it’s translucent — about 4-5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook until it’s fragrant, about 1 minute. Sprinkle the flour into the pot and stir to combine. Cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly.  

  4. Season the sauce with cayenne pepper, salt, and pepper. Remove the pot from the heat and stir in the white cheddar and 1 + ½ cups of yellow cheddar. Stir until the mixture has melted. 

  5. Stir in the cooked pasta and mix until it’s evenly coated with the sauce. Scoop 1 + ½ – 2 tablespoons of the mac-and-cheese mixture into each cavity of the prepared pans. 

  6. Sprinkle a few pieces of yellow cheddar on top of each mac-and-cheese bite, then transfer the pans to the oven. Bake until the cheese is melted and the bites become golden — 17-20 minutes. 

  7. Let the bites cool for 15 minutes before unmolding and serving.

Find it online: https://shesafullonmonet.com/unique-thanksgiving-appetizers/