Best Macaroni And Pimiento Cheese Bites Recipes

MACARONI-AND-PIMIENTO CHEESE BITES

Steps:

• Prepare pasta according to package directions.
• Meanwhile, melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Gradually whisk in flour until smooth; cook, whisking constantly, 1 minute. Gradually whisk in 2 cups milk and next 3 ingredients; cook, whisking constantly, 3 to 5 minutes or until thickened. Stir in Cheddar cheese and pimiento until melted and smooth. Remove from heat, and stir in pasta.
• Line a 13- x 9-inch pan with plastic wrap, allowing several inches to extend over edges of pan. Pour mixture into prepared pan. Cool slightly; cover and chill 8 hours. Remove macaroni mixture from pan, and cut into 1-inch squares.
• Stir together breadcrumbs and Parmesan cheese in a shallow dish or pie plate. Whisk together eggs and 1/2 cup milk in another shallow dish or pie plate; dip macaroni bites in egg mixture, and dredge in breadcrumb mixture.
• Pour oil to depth of 1 inch in a large skillet; heat to 350°. Fry bites, in batches, 2 minutes on each side or until golden.

PIMIENTO MAC AND CHEESE

Steps:

• Preheat the broiler. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook as the label directs; drain.
• Meanwhile, heat the vegetable oil in a large ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onion, mushrooms and 2 teaspoons thyme. Cook, tossing occasionally, until tender and beginning to brown, 10 to 12 minutes; season with salt and pepper. Stir in the flour to coat the vegetables; cook 1 minute. Add the chicken broth and milk and bring to a boil, stirring, until the mixture is thick and creamy, about 3 minutes. Stir in the tuna and 1/2 cup pimiento cheese; stir until the cheese melts, about 2 minutes. Stir in the pasta until combined; season with salt and pepper.
• Dollop the remaining 1/2 cup pimiento cheese on the pasta mixture and broil until the cheese is melted and browned in spots, 1 to 3 minutes. Sprinkle with the cracker crumbs and remaining 1 teaspoon thyme and broil until the crackers begin to brown, 30 seconds to 1 minute. Let cool 10 minutes.

FRIED MAC AND CHEESE BITES

Steps:

• Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium-high. Whisk in 1 tablespoon of the flour, and cook, whisking constantly, 1 minute. Gradually add milk, whisking constantly. Bring to a simmer over medium-high; simmer, whisking often, until mixture is slightly thickened and lightly coats back of a spoon, about 3 minutes. Reduce heat to low; add Cheddar cheese, Monterey Jack cheese, salt, garlic powder, black pepper, and cayenne pepper, stirring constantly until cheeses melt and mixture is smooth, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat, and stir in macaroni (mixture will be thick).
• Spread mixture evenly in a lightly greased 13- x 9-inch baking pan. Cover with plastic wrap, pressing plastic wrap directly on surface; chill until firm, at least 3 hours or up to 24 hours.
• Pour oil to a depth of 2 inches into a large Dutch oven; heat over medium-high to 350°F. Meanwhile, scoop 1 portion macaroni mixture into your hands using a 1-ounce (2-tablespoon) scoop, and roll into a ball. Place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Repeat process with remaining macaroni mixture. (You'll have 36 balls total.)
• Whisk together eggs and water in a shallow dish. Place panko in a second shallow dish, and place remaining 1/3 cup flour in a third shallow dish. Working with 1 ball at a time, dredge in flour, and shake off excess. Roll ball in egg mixture; let excess drip off. Roll in panko, pressing to adhere. Return ball to baking sheet. (Balls can be loosely covered with plastic wrap, and chilled until ready to fry, up to 30 minutes.)
• Fry macaroni balls in 6 to 8 batches, turning occasionally, until golden brown on outside and hot and melted on inside, 4 to 5 minutes. Transfer to a paper-towel lined baking sheet to drain. Serve immediately.

PIMENTO MAC AND CHEESE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9-by-13-inch baking dish with butter. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook until al dente according to package instructions. Drain, rinse under cold water and drain again.
• Meanwhile, melt 2 tablespoons butter in a small skillet over medium heat. Add the panko and cook, stirring often, until golden and toasted, 3 to 5 minutes. Immediately remove from heat and set aside to cool.
• Melt remaining 8 tablespoons butter in a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Add onion, garlic and jalapeño and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 4 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Add flour and paprika, stir well, and cook until vegetables are coated, about 1 minute.
• While whisking, carefully stream in the milk until smooth and incorporated. Bring to a simmer while continuing to whisk. Simmer, whisking often, until thickened, 5 to 7 minutes. Reduce heat to low and add the Cheddar cheese, cream cheese and pimentos, and stir until the cheese is completely melted and smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Add cooked pasta and stir to coat. Transfer to the baking dish and spread evenly. Evenly sprinkle the toasted panko on top. Bake until golden and bubbling, 20 to 25 minutes. Allow to cool for 10 minutes, then serve.

MAC 'N' CHEESE BITES

Steps:

• To make the toppings, heat half the oil in a frying pan over a high heat, and cook the mushrooms for 10 mins until golden. Stir in half the garlic and the parsley, and fry for 1 min more. Season and scrape into a bowl. Heat the rest of the oil in the pan and fry the remaining garlic and the breadcrumbs for 3-5 mins, stirring until crisp. Scrape into a second bowl.
• Melt the butter in a saucepan over a medium heat, then stir in the flour to make a thick paste. Gradually add the milk, a splash at a time, whisking until it's all incorporated. Cook for 2-3 mins more until thickened. Meanwhile, cook the macaroni in a pan of boiling salted water for 5-6 mins. Stir the cheddar into the white sauce until all the cheese has melted, then fold in the macaroni.
• Butter a 12-hole muffin tin and divide the mac 'n' cheese between the holes, packing it in with the back of a spoon. Top with the mushroom mixture, olives or sundried tomato slices, then scatter over the grated cheese and garlic breadcrumbs. Will keep, covered in the fridge, for up to 24 hrs.
• Heat the oven to 220C/200C fan/gas 7. Bake for 15 mins until golden and piping hot. Leave to cool for 10-15 mins in the tin, then loosen by running a spoon around the edges. Transfer to a plate.

SPICY PIMIENTO CHEESEBURGER MACARONI

Steps:

• In 12-inch nonstick skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add green onion whites and jalapeño chile; cook 3 to 4 minutes, stirring frequently, until vegetables are soft. Transfer to small bowl.
• In same skillet, cook beef over medium-high heat 4 to 6 minutes, stirring frequently, until thoroughly cooked; drain. Stir in mustard, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, red pepper and green onion mixture.
• Stir in milk, hot water, and uncooked pasta and sauce mix (from Hamburger Helper™ box). Heat to boiling, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat; cover and simmer 9 to 11 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is tender.
• Stir in pimientos and lemon juice. Stir in 1/2 cup of the cheese. Remove from heat; sprinkle top with remaining 1/2 cup cheese; cover and let stand 2 to 3 minutes or until cheese melts. Sprinkle with green onion greens and crumbled crackers.