Your guests will go crazy for this easy mac and cheese bites appetizer recipe made with smooth and creamy Jarlsberg cheese.
This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Jarlsberg. All opinions are 100% mine.
The holidays are here and I have the best appetizer recipe for you!
I could honestly eat macaroni and cheese every day for years and not get sick of it. That’s why it was so fun to put a bite-sized spin on this classic dish. Another way to enjoy it, but as an appetizer! Macaroni and cheese bites are easy to make and I’ve even included a short video to inspire you. Check the recipe box for that!
Read on for the mac and cheese bites recipe…
My choice for macaroni and cheese is Jarlsberg. I love its unique taste. It’s strong without being overpowering and it melts so beautifully. It’s also so versatile – it’s just as great on a salad as it is in these decadent macaroni and cheese bites. Whether you are having a quiet night at home or hosting a dinner party, Jarlsberg will fit right in.
Jalsberg is all-natural as well as lactose-free and gluten-free, making it great if you have dietary restrictions. You can find it in your supermarket deli section. We always have some in the fridge because it comes in handy in so many recipes!
How to Make Macaroni & Cheese Bites
The first step is making a roux, which despite the fancy french name, is actually really simple. Heat butter in a pan and stir in flour. This concoction is essential for helping your macaroni and cheese sauce to thicken.
The roux becomes a béchamel sauce by adding milk. (I know, we’re so fancy!) Stir until the sauce thickens and bubbles. This is the base of almost any (non-boxed) macaroni and cheese recipe.
As you can see below, when you stir with a spatula, the mixture takes a little time to become smooth again. Now you are ready to add the Jarlsberg cheese.
Stir in the Jarlsberg cheese and mustard and pour over the cooked pasta. It’s absolutely so cheesy and creamy at this point you’ll want to stop here are eat it all! The Jarlsberg cheese just melts so beautifully. It’s easy, foolproof, and makes the silkiest and smoothest mac and cheese!
Spoon into prepared mini muffin tin. Yes, stealing a couple of spoonfuls to eat while you do this is totally acceptable.
Sprinkle with breadcrumbs. I use panko breadcrumbs in this recipe which are made from white bread and no crusts. This gives a lighter, crispier breadcrumb that holds up better during baking. If you can’t find them or don’t want to make a special trip to the grocery store, regular breadcrumbs are fine.
Top with the remaining Jarlsberg cheese and into the oven they go!
The result is perfection. Perfectly cheesy and creamy macaroni and cheese tarts with a little bit of crunch thanks to the breadcrumbs. They’ll be a hit!
Why these Mac and Cheese Bites are the BEST
- Keep things simple – Jarlsberg cheese is all you need. It’s so versatile and has the perfect flavor!
- Breadcrumbs add a welcome texture balance.
- Bite-sized appetizers are the best! Easy to eat with no utensils required.
- They bake up like a tartlet but there is no tart dough required.
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Mac ‘N Cheese Bites Recipe
Your guests will go crazy for this easy mac and cheese bites appetizer recipe made with smooth and creamy Jarlsberg cheese.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 20-24 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Oven
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 1¾ cups (8 ounces) uncooked elbow macaroni
- ¾ cup panko breadcrumbs*
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1¾ cups milk
- 2 cups (8 ounces) shredded Jarlsberg cheese, divided
- ½ teaspoon mustard
- freshly cracked pepper, to taste
- 3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Cook macaroni noodles according to package directions, drain.
- Prepare mini muffin tin by spraying with non-stick cooking spray and dusting with bread crumbs. Leave a layer of breadcrumbs at the bottom of each cup. Preheat oven to 400° Fahrenheit.
- Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat. Stir in flour and salt. Stir constantly with a heatproof spatula until the mixture is smooth and starts to bubble.
- Gradually add milk in a steady stream, stirring constantly until the mixture boils and thickens. Stir in 1¾ cup shredded Jarlsberg cheese until smooth. Add the mustard and cracked pepper.
- Pour cheese mixture over cooked macaroni noodles and stir until well mixed.
- Spoon macaroni into prepared mini muffin tins, pressing slightly with the spoon to compress.
- Sprinkle with bread crumbs, then the remaining Jarlsberg cheese.
- Bake 25 minutes or until golden brown. Allow to cool in pan 10 minutes before removing. Garnish with parsley and enjoy warm.
Notes
* You can use regular breadcrumbs in a pinch, but panko breadcrumbs will stay crispier when baking
This post is a collaboration with Jarlsberg. Thanks for supporting the sponsors that allow me to bring you beautiful and delicious content! For more recipes, visit Jarlsberg.com.
Craving mac and cheese bites? Pin this recipe for later:
YUM! I love the combination of flavors and colors. Healthy, filling, and delicious
Exactly! I love this recipe too!