Baked Mac and Cheese Cups Recipe
These Baked Mac and Cheese Cups are a delicious and convenient twist on classic mac and cheese. Creamy, cheesy pasta is baked in individual portions with a crispy breadcrumb topping, making them perfect for parties, snacks, or easy dinners.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 12 cups
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Mac & Cheese Cups
- 8 ounces pasta (shells, elbows, or gemelli)
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 tablespoons all purpose flour
- 1 cup whole milk
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta shells, elbows, or gemelli according to the package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Make the roux: In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in the flour and cook for about 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly to form a smooth paste without browning.
- Add the milk: Gradually whisk in the whole milk and continue cooking, whisking frequently, until the sauce thickens and becomes creamy, about 5-7 minutes.
- Add the cheese and seasonings: Remove the sauce from heat and stir in the shredded cheddar cheese until melted and smooth. Season with salt and ground black pepper to taste.
- Combine pasta and cheese sauce: Mix the cooked pasta with the cheese sauce until fully coated.
- Prepare muffin tin and assemble: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a muffin tin. Spoon the mac and cheese mixture evenly into the muffin cups.
- Add breadcrumb topping: Sprinkle the breadcrumbs evenly over the top of each filled muffin cup to create a crispy topping.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for about 20-25 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown and the cups are set.
- Cool and serve: Let the mac and cheese cups cool in the muffin tin for a few minutes before carefully removing them. Serve warm.
Notes
- You can swap cheddar cheese for a sharper cheese blend like sharp cheddar and Gruyère for extra flavor.
- For a crunchier topping, mix the breadcrumbs with a tablespoon of melted butter before sprinkling on top.
- These cups can be prepared ahead of time and baked just before serving.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheat in the oven for best texture.
Find it online: https://recipethrive.com/baked-mac-and-cheese-cups-recipe/
