Mac N Cheese Bites: The Cutest, Most Delicious Christmas or New Year's Appetizers! #Recipe

These homemade Mac N Cheese bites are my new favorite appetizer!  My mother in law made them for us on Thanksgiving and I fell in love with their bitesized goodness.  With my new Love Cooking Company mini muffin pan, I decided to try them out and they were a raving hit at my Christmas party!

Ingredients

• 2½ cups elbow macaroni (or 1 8 oz. box)
• 2 Tablespoons butter
• 2 Tablespoons flour
• 1½ cups milk
• 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• 2 ounces cream cheese
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon pepper
• 1 egg beaten

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
2. Cook pasta according to packaged directions and set aside.
3. In a medium size pan combine butter and flour over medium heat. Whisk until butter is melted and mixture is smooth. Slowly add milk and bring to a simmer. Add 1½ cups of the cheese, cream cheese, salt and pepper. Stir until smooth and creamy. Remove from heat.
4. In a large mixing bowl, carefully stir pasta, cheese sauce, and egg until evenly mixed and pasta is evenly coated.
5. Spoon mac and cheese into mini muffin tins (a rounded tablespoon works perfectly!) and top each with a small pinch of remaining cheese. Bake at 400 degrees F for 15 minutes or until golden brown.
6. Allow to cool 5 minutes before gently removing the bites.  They slip out very easily with a spoon!

Adapted from a recipe I found on Chef in Training.