Macaroni and Cheese Bites

An awesome recipe perfect to make ahead and serve at your next gathering!

Ingredients:

• ½ lb macaroni pasta
• 1 ½ tbsp butter
• 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
• 2 tbsp flour
• 3/4 cup milk
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup sliced american cheese, chopped
• 1 egg yolk
• 1/4 tsp paprika
• bacon pieces if desired

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 425 (if you don't plan to make in advance)
2. Boil salted water in a large pot then cook macaroni about 5 min then drain
3. Spray muffin tins with non stick spray then sprinkle with parmesan cheese on bottom (I also sprinkled bacon bits on the bottom of mine with the cheese)
4. In a large saucepan, melt butter then whisk in flour over medium heat for 2 minutes
5. Whisk in milk and whisk constantly until boiling (roughly 5 minutes)
6. Add in cheddar and american cheeses and whisk until melted
7. Remove saucepan from heat and which in egg yolk and paprika then fold in drained macaroni
8. Spoon macaroni mix into muffin cups
9. At this point you can cover and refrigerate the day prior to your event
10. Once ready to bake sprinkle the tops with parmesan then bake about 10 minutes (slightly longer if straight from fridge). Let cool 5 min and remove from pan!

I also froze some of these leftover and have reheated them for school lunches and they do great! Big hit!!!