Every year, I host a Christmas party where we invite all of our family and friends to come and celebrate with us over drinks and food. I start planning the menu about 2 months in advance and am always looking for new things to add to it. I had been toying with the idea to recreate a favorite appetizer from a local Italian restaurant but that sort of morphed into this bacon macaroni and cheese bites the more I played around with it.

This recipe starts with the most delicious macaroni and cheese recipe I have ever tasted. Even Mathlete raved at how delicious it was and he LOVES mac & cheese. Then, we add bacon and turn them into bite sized little treats.

What You’ll Need:

1 box macaroni
2 Tbsp butter
2 Tbsp flour
2 cups whole milk
1/2 tsp ground mustard
1 tsp salt
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup shredded gruyere cheese
5 slices cooked bacon, crumbled
Topping:
2 eggs
2 Tbsp milk
1 cup breadcrumbs
1 Tbsp grated Parmesan cheese
2 Tbsp melted butter

Let’s Make It:

1) Bring a large pot of water to boil over high heat. Add macaroni and cook until al dente, about 7 minutes. Remove from heat, drain and return to the pot.

2) In a large pan, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook, stirring constantly, for 1-2 minutes. Slowly whisk in milk, letting each previous addition incorporate before adding more. Bring to a boil and then reduce heat to a simmer. Cook, whisking frequently, for 10 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in cheese. Pour over noodles and stir well. Stir in bacon pieces. Refrigerate for 20-30 minutes.

3) Scoop macaroni into small balls and place on parchment lined baking sheet. Place rolled balls into freezer for 15 minutes.

4) Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Whisk eggs and milk together in a dish. Place breadcrumbs and Parmesan in a second dish.

5) Remove macaroni bites from the freezer. Dip each one into the egg mixture and then into the breadcrumbs. Place on prepare baking sheet. Brush the tops with melted butter. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown.

If you want to skip the breadcrumb mixture, feel free to scoop these right into mini muffin cups and bake them.

I could not stop eating these. They were so good! I can’t wait to make them for our Christmas party and see how our guests like them.

Bacon Macaroni and Cheese Bites

2014-11-07 00:59:09

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Ingredients

1. 1 box macaroni
2. 2 Tbsp butter
3. 2 Tbsp flour
4. 2 cups whole milk
5. 1/2 tsp ground mustard
6. 1 tsp salt
7. 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
8. 1 cup shredded gruyere cheese
9. 5 slices cooked bacon, crumbled

Topping

1. 2 eggs
2. 2 Tbsp milk
3. 1 cup breadcrumbs
4. 1 Tbsp grated Parmesan cheese
5. 2 Tbsp melted butter

Instructions

1. Bring a large pot of water to boil over high heat. Add macaroni and cook until al dente, about 7 minutes. Remove from heat, drain and return to the pot.
2. In a large pan, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook, stirring constantly, for 1-2 minutes. Slowly whisk in milk, letting each previous addition incorporate before adding more. Bring to a boil and then reduce heat to a simmer. Cook, whisking frequently, for 10 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in cheese. Pour over noodles and stir well. Stir in bacon pieces. Refrigerate for 20-30 minutes.
3. Scoop macaroni into small balls and place on parchment lined baking sheet. Place rolled balls into freezer for 15 minutes.
4. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Whisk eggs and milk together in a dish. Place breadcrumbs and Parmesan in a second dish.
5. Remove macaroni bites from the freezer. Dip each one into the egg mixture and then into the breadcrumbs. Place on prepare baking sheet. Brush the tops with melted butter. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown.

Notes

1. If you want to skip the breadcrumb mixture, feel free to scoop these right into mini muffin cups and bake them.

By Shannah @ Just Us Four

My Suburban Kitchen https://www.mysuburbankitchen.com/

If you want some other party food ideas, be sure to check these out!