15-Minute Stovetop Mac and Cheese + Baked Mac and Cheese Bites
Recipe Overview
Overview
This Stovetop Mac and Cheese recipe is a delightful blend of simplicity and flavor. The creamy cheese sauce, made from a roux, is the star of the dish, providing a rich and velvety texture that clings perfectly to the macaroni. The use of sharp cheddar and Gruyère cheese adds depth and complexity, making each bite a comforting experience. The recipe is versatile, allowing you to customize the cheese blend to your liking, ensuring that it never gets boring.
What makes this dish even more appealing is its adaptability. If you’re in the mood for something a bit different, you can easily transform the stovetop version into baked mac and cheese. By adding a crunchy breadcrumb topping, you elevate the dish to a new level, creating a casserole-like texture that is both satisfying and delicious. This baked version is perfect for holiday dinners or family gatherings, where comfort food is a must.
For those who love to experiment, the mac and cheese bites are a fantastic way to use up leftovers. Simply scoop and roll the cold mac and cheese into balls, coat them, and bake for a crispy treat. These bites are not only fun to make but also a hit at parties, providing all the comfort of mac and cheese in a bite-sized form. Whether you enjoy it straight from the pot or as a baked dish, this recipe is sure to please everyone at the table.
Recipe Details
Steps & Tips
In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil and cook macaroni pasta according to package directions until al dente.
In a pan over medium heat, melt butter, add flour, salt, and pepper, and whisk until integrated.
Pour in milk while whisking continuously to prevent burning.
Once the sauce thickens, add shredded sharp cheddar and shredded Gruyere cheese, stirring until melted.
Tip: Grating your own cheese from a block yields a tastier, creamier result.
Add cooked macaroni to the cheese sauce and stir to coat completely.
Transfer mac and cheese to a baking dish.
In a bowl, mix together panko breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese, and melted butter.
Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture on top of the mac and cheese.
Tip: Using a breadcrumb topping adds texture and flavor to baked mac and cheese.
Tip: Make sure your leftover mac and cheese is cold to work with for bites.
Scoop out leftover mac and cheese with a cookie scoop, roll into balls, and place on a baking pan.
Freeze the mac and cheese balls for about 15 minutes or longer.
Lay out three dishes: one with all-purpose flour, one with whisked eggs, and one with panko breadcrumbs and salt.
Dip chilled mac and cheese balls into flour, then into egg, and finally into the breadcrumb mixture, pressing the coating on.
Tip: Press the coating on the mac and cheese balls firmly for a better crunch.
Transfer the coated balls to a baking sheet with a wire rack and spray them down before baking.
Ingredients
Ingredient: Dairy
→ Substitution: Almond Milk
Ingredient: Eggs
→ Substitution: Flaxseed Meal + Water
Ingredient: Gluten
→ Substitution: Gluten-Free Flour Blend
Nutrition
Skill Level
Frequently asked questions
Below you will find answers to the most common questions about this recipe.
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Interesting Tidbits
- •Using freshly grated cheese instead of pre-grated cheese yields a creamier texture.
- •Baking mac and cheese with a breadcrumb topping adds a crunchy texture.
- •Mac and cheese bites can be made from leftover mac and cheese.
- •Allowing mac and cheese bites to chill before coating helps them hold their shape.
