Baked Mac And Cheese Bites Recipe – Easy Party Appetizer

These baked mac and cheese bites are such a great party appetizer to serve because you don’t have to worry about any dips or sides to assist with flavor. They are good enough to stand on their own because when you have a dish that is crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside… everyone wins!

These comfort food favorites are a crowd-pleaser, for sure. Use these mac n’ cheese bites for your next holiday party, office bash, or your child’s birthday celebration – it all works. The perfect appetizer to pass around to cheese lovers.

Everyone loves mini mac and cheese, no matter how old we get. It’s my kids’ favorite meal for dinner, and as an adult today, I still always order it as a side when I go out to eat. These fun appetizers will disappear as soon as you serve them. 

Now, full disclosure, this is not a diet-friendly recipe because there is half and half used. Regardless, your guests will THANK YOU for that extra fat because the richness and the creaminess make these baked macaroni and cheese bites so divine. 

Ingredients For Mac And Cheese Bites 

• 3 tablespoons dry bread crumbs (or use finely crushed crackers)
• 1 cup dry elbow macaroni, cooked according to package directions and drained
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 8 ounces Velveeta cheese, cut into 1/2″ cubes
• 1/4 cup half and half (or use milk)
• 1 egg
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon pepper

Optional: If you’d like to use a 1/2 onion and 2 cloves of garlic instead of the powders, make sure you finely dice everything together and then sautee until translucent. Then mix in with cooked pasted and place into prepared baking pan. 

How To Make Baked Mac And Cheese Bites

Preheat oven to 350 and grease a mini muffin pan with nonstick cooking spray. Sprinkle bread crumbs on the bottom of the pan. Set aside.

Combine cooked al dente macaroni, butter, cheese, and half and half in a saucepan and heat over medium heat, frequently stirring until all cheese is melted. Remove from heat and stir in egg and spices.

Use a 2 tablespoon portion scoop to scoop the macaroni and cheese mixture into the prepared baking pan. Top with additional bread crumbs.

Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the center is set and the edges are golden brown. Let your delicious mac set in the pan for 2 minutes. To remove, loosen on the side with a fork and pop out of the pan. This perfect recipe makes 18-20 mini cheesy bites. Even your picky eaters will enjoy this delicious appetizer.

Tips and Variations

• If you don’t have a mini muffin tin or muffin cups, you could use this recipe to make a casserole instead. Just adjust the baking time by 15-20 minutes or until the edges begin to bubble. Keep an eye on it should you decide to try to switch this up. It’s a great recipe either way.
• I used a min-muffin sized pan for this particular recipe, in case you can’t tell by the photos. It’s the perfect size for little bites.
• Macaroni and cheese bites can be customized to include various flavors, including jalapeno peppers, a little brown sugar, or crispy bacon. You could also add cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes if your guests like a bit of heat! 
• Add in a bit of mozzarella cheese, sharp cheddar, or white cheddar for a different flavor profile.
• I like to use macaroni noodles, but you could always switch up the shape for fun.
• You could always use leftover mac and cheese as the base of this dish.
• To store leftovers, gather the remaining cheese cups and store them in an airtight container. The next day, reheat in the oven until warmed through.
• Serve this dish on game day!

Classic mac and cheese is a fan favorite. This dish will be no different. Mini bites are a great way to introduce something traditional and turn it on its side. A new way to look at an old classic! If you want more creamy pasta dishes to serve guests, consider some more comfort food favorite recipes: 

• The Creamiest Slow Cooker Mac And Cheese Recipe On The Web
• Alfredo Pasta Recipe
• Easy Pizza Casserole Recipe
• Ham and Pea Pasta Recipe