Mac and Cheese Cups

Name: Mac and Cheese Cups
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 35 min
Ingredients: 8 oz elbow macaroni; 2 tbsp salted butter; 1/4 tsp paprika ((use smoked paprika if you have it)); 2 tbsp flour; 1/2 cup whole milk; 8 oz sharp cheddar cheese (grated); chopped chives or scallions (for garnish); butter (for greasing the pan)

by Joanne June 8, 2023

These mini Mac and Cheese Cups are a fun hors d’ouerve for parties, and they’re easy to make using a mini muffin pan. This is homemade mac and cheese turned into fun finger food that makes for a great appetizer or pre-portioned side dish!

Mac and Cheese Cups - Served on Wooden Board with Scallions On Top

Seriously though, as a dish that you normally have to eat with a bowl and spoon, there is something really enjoyable about setting out a platter of these at a get together.

People always rave about these little bites. There’s something so fun about finger food appetizers like Coconut Shrimp and Bacon Wrapped Dates, and mac and cheese presented in this unique way is no different. Cheese recipes of any kind are always a huge hit at parties.

If you’ve seen recipes for baked pasta “pies” in the flavor of pasta carbonara, or classic red spaghetti, this is sort of like a mini version of that, with all the flavor of macaroni and cheese.

Mac and Cheese Bites - On Wooden board with Scallions

The trick to pulling these off is to make them more cheesy than saucy.

That way they hold together, and you can hold your mac and cheese cup in one hand and your glass of wine in the other!

That’s classy. We’re setting new standards today 😂

Mac n Cheese Bites - Garnished with Scallions On Top

And since you all know I’m addicted to making recipes in my muffin tins (see Chicken Wonton Bites, Bacon Egg Cups, and Thanksgiving Stuffing Cups), it was time to take this American classic and present it in a fun, new way.

They are great to serve on a buffet with some Buttermilk Fried Chicken, Coleslaw, and Homemade Cornbread.

Mini Mac and Cheese Cups - on White Platter with Wine in Background

Step by Step Overview:

Begin by cooking the pasta according to package directions, with two minutes subtracted from the recommended cook time.

I usually bring water to a boil over high heat in a large pot, then cook elbow macaroni for for about 5 minutes, when the package directions say 7. This is because the noodles will cook further in the oven.

While the pasta cooks, grate your cheese. As with any dish with few ingredients, it’s important to use good quality components. This dish is all about the CHEESE!

I usually opt for a sharp cheddar, either white or yellow, depending on my mood.

Cracker Barrel aged reserve is my favorite, and you can find it at your local grocery store. Cabot seriously sharp is also excellent.

Can You Use Other Cheeses?

I like that cheddar cheese has great melting properties and flavor as well, but you can try to swap in a little bit of others to change things up. You can switch half the cheddar for mozzarella cheese, or one quarter of the cheddar for parmesan cheese, for a sharper flavor.

After you’ve grated your cheddar, melt butter with some paprika in a big pot or large saucepan over medium heat:

Melted butter with Spices in Saucepan with Slotted Spoon

Add all purpose flour to make a roux, then whisk in some milk (whole milk preferred, but skim milk and low-fat milk also work).

Drain the mostly cooked al dente elbow macaroni and add it to the pot, along with your cheese.

That’s it, six ingredients! Pasta, butter, cheese, milk, flour, and paprika. So easy.

Cram big moundfuls of the pasta mixture into the cups of a mini muffin pan (affiliate) that has been coated with butter or cooking spray, then get ready to send them into the oven:

Macaroni and Cheese Bites Mixture Stuffed in a Mini Muffin Pan

Bake them until they’re bubbly, gooey, and lightly golden brown around the edges.

Then top your muffin tin macaroni cups with some snipped chives or chopped scallion greens:

Mac and Cheese Muffins - made in a Muffin Pan and garnished with scallions

I like the color and flavor, but you can also sprinkle buttered bread crumbs on top if you prefer more of a crunch and crispy topping.

Let them cool for about 10 minutes in the muffin cup before attempting to take them out of the pan, then serve the baked macaroni promptly while warm.

Mac and Cheese Bites on a Wooden Board with Green Onion

They will dry out and get cold if left out too long, so try not to make them too far in advance. These also make for a great snack, or can be put into a lunch box for school!

Cheddar Scallion Biscuits, Potato Cheddar Frittata, and Broccoli Cheddar Soup are some of my other favorite cheddar cheese-focused recipes that certainly qualify as comfort food too. They are all easy recipes. Enjoy!

Recipe FAQ and Tips

How do you store leftover mac and cheese cups?

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. They dry out easily so make sure it’s well sealed.

Can you use a standard muffin tin instead?

This recipe is developed for a mini muffin tin, so if you use a standard size, the cook time will be different. I also find that they don’t hold together as well since they’re larger. It’s possible but not recommended.

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