MAC N CHEESE BITES RECIPES

Steps:

• Position oven racks in the upper and lower thirds of the oven, and preheat to 400 degrees F. Line 2 or 3 mini-muffin pans with liners, and coat the liners generously with cooking spray.
• Bring a medium pot of salted water to a boil. Add the macaroni and cook according to the package directions until al dente. Drain the macaroni and rinse under cold water until cool. Drain again and shake off any excess water.
• Put the heavy cream, cream cheese, eggs, mustard, paprika and garlic in a large bowl. Beat on low speed with an electric mixer until combined (the mixture may have small lumps). Add the macaroni, Cheddar and Monterey jack, and stir until combined.
• Drop heaping tablespoonfuls of the mac 'n' cheese into the prepared muffin liners. Combine the breadcrumbs and butter with your fingers in a small bowl until the mixture is the texture of wet sand. Sprinkle the top of each mac 'n' cheese mound with the buttered breadcrumbs.
• Bake until the cheese is melted and the bites are golden brown, 25 to 30 minutes. Let cool for at least 5 minutes before serving hot or at room temperature. Serve with hot sauce on the side, if desired.

Steps:

• 1. Preheat the oven to 375�F. Grease two mini-muffin pans with nonstick cooking spray. 2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the elbow pasta and cook according to the package instructions, about 7 to 9 minutes. Drain. 3. In a large pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the onion and saut� until translucent, 4 to 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, 1 minute more. 4. Sprinkle the flour into the pot and stir to combine. Cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly. 5. Add the milk and whisk well to combine. Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. 6. Season the sauce with the cayenne pepper (if using), salt and pepper. Remove the pot from the heat and stir in the white cheddar and 1� cups of the yellow cheddar. Stir until the mixture is melted. 7. Stir in the cooked pasta and mix until it is evenly coated with the sauce. Scoop 1� to 2 tablespoons of the mac-and-cheese mixture into each cavity of the prepared pans. 8. Sprinkle a few pieces of yellow cheddar on top of each mac-and-cheese bite and then transfer the pans to the oven. Bake until the cheese is melted and the bites become golden, 17 to 20 minutes. 9. Let the bites cool for 15 minutes before unmolding and serving. Serve hot or at room temperature. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two days.