easy macaroni and cheese recipe for kids

What can you add to mac and cheese? Breadcrumbs and bacon are popular toppings for mac and cheese.Broccoli is a popular go-to vegetable to serve with mac and cheese, as well as spinach, carrots, or sweet potatoes. What can you serve with baked mac and cheese? A side of vegetables is always a good choice with this main dish.However, you need to be really careful not to cook the pasta past al dente, as pasta does not hold up well in the freezer and there will likely be some texture changes when reheated. Can you freeze mac and cheese? The simple answer is yes, you can freeze mac and cheese.Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator.Shred the cheddar cheese from a block for the best melting and texture.Fun shapes like the gemelli used in the photos add a unique texture. Use a smaller pasta shape like elbows or shells to make filling the cups easier.Tips and Techniques for Perfect Baked Mac and Cheese Cups There are just a few simple swaps to make this recipe gluten free.įirst, you will need to use gluten free pasta and gluten free breadcrumbs.Īlso, swap out the all purpose flour for cornstarch and the results should be almost identical. How to Make Gluten Free Mac and Cheese Cups You may need to loosen the cups with a butter knife before gently removing them from the pan. Let cool completely before removing from the pan. Sprinkle the breadcrumbs evenly over the Mac and Cheese Cups.īake for 30-35 minutes, or until the tops are just starting to brown. Once the pasta is done cooking, drain well, and gently stir into the cheese sauce.ĭivide the pasta among the 12 muffin cups. Remove from the heat and stir in the cheddar cheese. Slowly whisk in the milk and heat until just boiling. Whisk in the salt, pepper, and flour until there are no lumps left in the flour. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly. While the pasta is cooking, melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Create!Ĭook the pasta, according to the package directions, or until it is al dente. Place a pot of salted water over high heat on the stovetop to boil and preheat your oven to 350☏. Bagged shredded cheese has starch in it which may give your cheese sauce a gritty texture. Tip: it is highly recommended to shred the cheese from a block. Shred the cheddar cheese and mince the garlic. Use a small amount of butter to grease the inside of all 12 cups of a standard size muffin tin and set aside. Gemelli, pictured above, adds a fun shape and texture.

Tip: use a smaller pasta like shells or elbows to make filling the cups a bit easier. To make this recipe you will need pasta, cheddar cheese, milk, breadcrumbs, flour, garlic, butter, salt and pepper. How to Make Mac and Cheese Cups What You Need For This Recipe

There are instructions on how to make this recipe gluten free in the notes section of the recipe card at the bottom of this post. You can enjoy these as an appetizer or snack or serve them as lunch or dinner. There is no need to feel guilty sneaking bites of the kid’s macaroni and cheese any longer! This recipe is really easy to make an only requires simple, real food ingredients.

While this grown-up version of macaroni and cheese might be more adult-friendly, it’s definitely for kids too! Why This Recipe Works See our Disclosure Statement for more information.īaked Mac and Cheese Cups (also commonly called balls or bites) have been popping up on appetizer menus in restaurants everywhere proving that mac and cheese isn’t just for kids. These macaroni and cheese bites are definitely not just for the kids! They are perfectly portioned to serve as appetizers or snacks, or have a few and make them a meal. Baked Mac and Cheese Cups are cheesy delicious, easy to make, and fun to eat.

Easy macaroni and cheese recipe for kids