Elevate your appetizer game with these crispy baked smoked gouda mac and cheese bites. A perfectly portioned, cheesy comfort food ideal for parties and holiday entertaining.
Course Appetizer, Snack
Cuisine American
Keyword baked mac and cheese cups, finger food mac and cheese, smoked gouda mac and cheese bites
Prep Time 15 minutesminutes
Cook Time 15 minutesminutes
Total Time 30 minutesminutes
Servings 24bites
Calories 65kcal
Author C. Sophie
Equipment
Mini muffin tin
Saucepan
Large pot
Ingredients
Pasta & Sauce
8ozelbow macaroni
2tbspunsalted butter
2tbspall-purpose flour
1cupwhole milk
1.5cupssmoked gouda cheesefreshly grated
1large eggbeaten
Topping
0.5cuppanko breadcrumbs
1tbspmelted butter
Instructions
Boil elbow macaroni until al dente. Drain and set aside.
In a separate saucepan, melt butter and whisk in flour, milk, and freshly grated smoked gouda to create a thick cheese sauce.
Fold the cooked pasta into the cheese sauce. Stir in one beaten egg—this is the secret binder that keeps the bites from falling apart!
Scoop the cheesy pasta mixture evenly into a well-greased mini muffin tin, pressing down lightly.
Top each cup with a sprinkle of panko breadcrumbs and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 15-20 minutes until bubbly and crispy. Let them cool slightly before popping them out.