When you think of comfort food, what dishes come to mind? Chances are high that macaroni and cheese quickly rolled off of your tongue!
Did you know that macaroni and cheese has been on America’s top ten list of comfort food for decades and consistently ranks on the top ten list of favorite foods for children as well?
According to My Macoroni And Cheese, approximately one-third of the population of the United States and one half of the children in the US will eat macaroni and cheese at least once over the course of any 12-week period.
That’s a lot of macaroni and cheese!
If you’d like to enjoy this wonderful dish in delectable but portion controlled bites, or you’re looking for a party-pleasing appetizer to serve at your next gathering, why not try our Three Cheese Mini Macaroni Cups?
It’s a fun but sophisticated version of the American Classic we know and love!
Three-Cheese Mini Macaroni Cups Recipe
Three-Cheese Mini Macaroni Cups Ingredients
1/2 Pound Elbow Macaroni
1 1/2 Tablespoons Unsalted Butter, Plus Additional Butter For Brushing
1/4 Cup Parmigiano-Reggiano Cheese
2 Tablespoons All Purpose Flour
3/4 Cup Milk
1 Packed Cup of Shredded Cheddar Cheese
1 Cup of Deli Sliced American Cheese, Chopped
1 Large Egg Yolk
1/4 Teaspoon Smoked Spanish Paprika
Three-Cheese Mini Macaroni Cups Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.
2. In a large saucepan of boiling salted water, cook the macaroni until al dente, about 5 minutes. Drain and shake off the excess water.
2. Brush four 12-cup, nonstick mini muffin tins with butter. Sprinkle with 2 tablespoons of the Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese; tap out the excess.
3. In a large saucepan, melt the butter. Whisk in the flour over moderate heat for 2 minutes. Whisk in the milk and cook, whisking, until boiling, about 5 minutes. Add the Cheddar and American cheeses and whisk until melted. Turn off the heat. Whisk in the egg yolk and paprika. Fold in the elbow macaroni.
4. Spoon slightly rounded tablespoons of elbow macaroni into the prepared muffin cups, packing them gently. Sprinkle the remaining 2 tablespoons of Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese on top.
5. Bake the Three Cheese Mini Macaroni Cups in the upper and middle thirds of the oven for about 10 minutes, until golden and sizzling. Let them cool for 5 minutes.
6. Using a small spoon, carefully loosen the Three Cheese Mini Macoroni Cups, transfer them to a platter, and serve.
Tip: You can make this recipe ahead of time by preparing it through Step 4 and refrigerating it overnight.
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Twitter: tinarobmorley
says:
Oooooh, these look so yummy! I’m popping in from #SittingAmongFriends blog party. Have a blessed day!
Twitter: BethFishReads
says:
Great way to put a new spin on an old classic!
Just fab, this would be a super contribution to Food on Friday: Cheese over at Carole’s Chatter. Please do bring them over. Cheers
These look great and fun. I think my kids would love them. Thank you for sharing with us at Sitting Among Friends on Wednesdays. Hope to see more posts next week. I love reading new recipes.
What a great recipe! I have four kids and Mac and Cheese is one of the things they all agree on and anything in cupcake pans is great! I could freeze them for later too! Thanks!
Twitter: CreateWithJoy1
says:
Isn’t it wonderful to find a recipe that EVERYONE loves? Enjoy and thanks so much for stopping by Erin!
Yum! Thanks for sharing 🙂
These are great Macaroni Cups! Hope you are having a great day and thanks so much for sharing your awesome recipe with us at Full Plate Thursday.
Come Back Soon!
Miz Helen
Twitter: CreateWithJoy1
says:
Thank you so much Miz Helen for stopping by – I love your party!
That is a lot of macaroni and cheese! I love these cute little Mini Macaroni Cups – what a fun and tasty way to keep the kids (and grown ups) in your life very happy! Thank you for bringing this delicious recipe to the Hearth and Soul Hop. Shared!
Twitter: CreateWithJoy1
says:
Thanks April! I love Mac and Cheese but can’t eat it the way I used too – so these little cups make a perfect and adorable indulgence! 🙂
Do you think you can freeze these? They would make great go to meal for a busy night.
Twitter: CreateWithJoy1
says:
I’m not sure Sarah-Ann if you can freeze them – they didn’t last long enough in our home to require freezing – but they would be fine in the fridge for a few days – if you freeze, let us know how it goes! 🙂
Three cheese mini macaroni cups looks delicious, thanks for sharing with Hearth and soul blog hop, pinning and tweeting.
Twitter: CreateWithJoy1
says:
Thanks so much for sharing Swathi – glad you enjoyed the recipe!
How easy! I was surfing the internet for lunch ideas for my children that were different from the regular sandwiches and I think this would be great to use. Thanks for sharing!
These look incredible! I bet my kids would love them! Thanks for sharing this recipe at the #SmallVictoriesSundayLinkup!
It looks wonderful ~The kiddos will sure love this!
What a great idea! These look really yummy! 🙂 #SmallVictories
Ooh what a fun twist on mac and cheese. This one has to be a kid favorite too.
These look so awesome! My kids would really love these (and so would I)! Thanks for sharing with us at Share The Wealth Sunday!
xoxo
Lisa
Twitter: CreateWithJoy1
says:
This is truly a dish that everyone loves Lisa – thanks for stopping by!
Oh, yum! These look so delicious! My sons love Macaroni and cheese. I am definitely going to have to make this for them! Thanks for sharing with #SocialButterflySunday! Hope to see you link up again this week 🙂
Twitter: CreateWithJoy1
says:
Hope you and your sons enjoy them Kelly – they are really fun to make (and eat)!
So glad you shared this amazing recipe with #SocialButterflySunday again this week! I need to make these soon! Hope to see you link up again this week 🙂
Anyone who tells me that there is something better than portable mac and cheese you can eat with your hands is a big fat liar – these look SO good!
Twitter: CreateWithJoy1
says:
So funny and so true Morgan – thanks for stopping by – you make me smile! 🙂
These macaroni cups are divine! I bet my grandkids will eat these. Thanks so much for sharing your recipe with us at Funtastic Friday.
Oh, yum! What a great idea. I’m thinking these would be perfect for a girls weekend treat or to serve at a mac and cheese / wine pairing party. Or maybe even for a heavy appetizer. Thanks for sharing!
These looks so yummy! Definitely going to try the recipe!
These would make such great toddler food! Who doesn’t like everything in mini form!
My mouth was watering by the 2nd photograph…..Thanks for joining the DI & DI Link Party, we enjoyed having you and hope to see you again!
These look and sound delicious! Pinning to share and bookmark.
I’ve been meaning to make macaroni cups for so long! I think they are perfect little appetizers! Thank you for the recipe!
Oh my gosh…I would eat the entire plate! Thanks for sharing your awesome recipe with us at Share The Wealth Sunday! I’ll be featuring it at our next party!
Twitter: CreateWithJoy1
says:
Awesome Lisa – thank you so much! 🙂
These are adorable and I bet they would be super easy to freeze as well! 🙂
Yummy! Yup, my kids are part of that statistic, at least once a month I would say, they love mac and cheese! A real crowd pleaser.
You should share at #bloggerspotlight too!
These are sure to be a hit with my family of cheese lovers!
This looks so delicious! I am so hungry right now!
Ok now you know this is really pinterest worthy,,,,, wow going to go pin right now!
They look amazing and I have a feeling would vanish fast in our house
Mollyx
Twitter: Myllls
says:
Your macaroni cheese cups look good, I’m getting ready to try a vegan recipe by using cauliflower rice in macaroni and cheese cooked in a slow cooker.
But I was thinking because batches are pretty big that baking some in muffin pan and then freezing would be a good option.
Come share your recipe on Friday Features Linky Party
Have a nice weekend!
I love individual treats like this – and you sure can’t go wrong with mac and cheese! I can’t wait to give these a try!
They look delicious but I have a feeling they would vanish super fast in my house
Molly
That is a lot of macaroni cheese – but then, it is delicious! I love your Three Cheese Mini Macaroni Cups – they would be perfect for a cocktail party, as well as to delight your favourite children! Thank you for sharing, and for being a part of the Hearth and Soul Link Party. Hope you are having a great weekend!
These are perfect for little hands! I can also imagine serving them at my next cocktail party! Your Mini Macaroni Cups look absolutely delicious, Ramona. Sharing on the Hearth and Soul Facebook page later today. Thank you so much for bringing this delicious recipe to the Hearth and Soul Link Party!
These are so cute! They look delicious too. I’m featuring this post at the Hearth and Soul Link Party this week, Ramona. Thank you so much for your support of Hearth and Soul!
Cute idea. 🙂 The recipe sounds delicious. Thanks for sharing at #heartandsoullinkup
We just love your Three Cheese Mini Macaroni Cups! Thanks so much for sharing your awesome post with us at Full Plate Thursday and come back to see us soon!
Miz Helen
Love this… What a great idea to make mac n cheese into ‘cups’! #FridayFeatures
Twitter: CreateWithJoy1
says:
Thanks – makes it nice and easy to grab at parties and also helps with portion control for us calorie and carb counters! 🙂
Oh my. One thing wrong with these. I’d eat them ALL!! I love this idea! Thanks for sharing at the What’s for Dinner party!! Hope your week is wonderful!
These are so cute!
What a neat idea to make bite-sized portions! I’m going to have to try to remember this!
Thanks for bringing this to the Sunday Sunshine Blog Hop!
Laurie
Twitter: CreateWithJoy1
says:
The bite size portions are a great way to enjoy a carb-y treat without going overboard!
This looks amazing Joy! I love mac and cheese. I think my kids would love these cups.
Twitter: CreateWithJoy1
says:
They are perfect for kids!
These macaroni cups look so yummy! Such a fun idea for an appetizer…they wouldn’t last very long around me ;D
Twitter: CreateWithJoy1
says:
That’s one of the reasons I like these Tammy – they are great for portion control! 🙂
These look delicious!