Macaroni and cheese is a regular favorite in our home. I’m sure parents with children can also agree that mac and cheese is well-loved in their households. With this easy recipe, there’s no reason to purchase the packaged variety. Best of all, these tiny mac and cheese bites are ideal for lunchboxes!
RELATED: Kid-Friendly Lunch Ideas
Mac and Cheese Bites Recipe
Transform homemade macaroni and cheese into these adorable bite-sized treats! They’re excellent for taking along to picnics or packing in lunches. You won’t need a fork to enjoy these miniature macaroni and cheese bites! We especially love that they are small versions of everyone’s favorite macaroni and cheese dish.
Here’s everything you’ll need to prepare these simple mac and cheese bites:
How Long Will Mac and Cheese Bites Last?
Keep them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for as long as 5 days. Warm them in the oven or microwave using a low-to-medium heat setting until heated through.
How Can I Add More Flavor?
For a bolder flavor, choose sharp cheddar. This variety delivers a more pronounced taste. Since sharp cheddar may require slightly more time to melt, modify the cooking time as necessary.
-
Prepare the macaroni as directed on the package, then set it aside.
-
In a saucepan, melt the butter.
-
Stir in the flour and allow it to simmer for one minute.
-
Gradually pour in the milk and simmer for several additional minutes until bubbles form.
-
Mix in 1 cup of shredded cheese and continue stirring until it has melted.
-
Stir in the macaroni until the noodles are coated; leave it to cool or chill overnight.
-
For the bites, heat the oven to 375 degrees. Coat a mini muffin pan generously with nonstick cooking spray.
-
Place 1 tablespoon of Mac N Cheese into every mini muffin cup.
-
Sprinkle the remaining shredded cheese over the tops. Add extra, if necessary, to cover them fully as pictured.
-
Bake for 15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbling.
-
Allow the bites to cool for 10 minutes before taking them out of the pan. If necessary, slide a knife around each Mac N Cheese bite to help loosen it from the pan.
-
Serve right away, or keep in a sealed container in the refrigerator for as long as 5 days.
Calories: 59kcal, Carbohydrates: 4g, Protein: 3g, Fat: 4g, Saturated Fat: 2g, Cholesterol: 10mg, Sodium: 46mg, Potassium: 23mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 1g, Vitamin A: 109IU, Calcium: 58mg, Iron: 1mg
- Should your mac and cheese bites fail to hold their shape (with the noodles separating), stir in extra melted cheese or incorporate 1 beaten egg into the macaroni and cheese before spooning it into the muffin tins.
- Choose sharp cheddar cheese to give them a more pronounced flavor.
We adore how simple these are to prepare! Cook a batch of classic macaroni and cheese, then turn it into bites for the kids’ lunches the following day!
Check out these other recipes we love: