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Comforting Warm Mac and Cheese Cups

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These warm mac and cheese cups offer a perfectly portioned, creamy, and cheesy comfort food that’s ideal for picky eaters and quick family meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 ounces elbow macaroni, cooked al dente
  • 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1 1/2 cups whole milk
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder (optional)
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs (optional)

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 ounces of elbow macaroni and cook until just al dente, about 7-8 minutes. Drain and set aside.
  2. In a medium saucepan, melt 3 tablespoons of unsalted butter over medium heat. Sprinkle in 3 tablespoons of all-purpose flour and whisk continuously for 1-2 minutes until smooth and slightly nutty.
  3. Slowly pour in 1 1/2 cups of whole milk while whisking to avoid lumps. Cook and stir until sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon, about 4-5 minutes.
  4. Remove sauce from heat and stir in 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, and 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder if using. Mix until cheese melts smoothly.
  5. Fold the cooked elbow macaroni into the cheese sauce until fully coated.
  6. Lightly grease a 12-cup muffin pan. Spoon the mac and cheese mixture evenly into each cup, filling about 3/4 full.
  7. Mix 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese with 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs and sprinkle generously over each cup.
  8. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the mac and cheese cups for 18-20 minutes until tops are golden and cheese is bubbling.
  9. Let the cups rest for 5 minutes before removing from the pan to set and cool slightly.

Notes

If the cheese sauce is too thick before baking, stir in a splash more milk to loosen it. Watch baking time closely to achieve crispy edges without drying out the inside. For gluten-free, use gluten-free flour and breadcrumbs. You can add steamed broccoli or roasted red peppers for a veggie boost.

Nutrition

Keywords: mac and cheese, comfort food, kid-friendly, cheesy, baked mac and cheese, easy dinner, picky eaters

Find it online: https://realityeats.com/comforting-warm-mac-and-cheese-cups-easy-recipe-for-picky-eaters/