KIDS CAN MAKE: MAC 'N' CHEESE BITES

Kids Can Make: Mac 'n' Cheese Bites image

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Time 55m

Yield 36 bites

Number Of Ingredients 14

Nonstick cooking spray
Kosher salt
1/2 pound elbow macaroni
1/2 cup heavy cream
4 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
2 large eggs
1 tablespoon yellow mustard
1/2 teaspoon sweet paprika
1 small clove garlic, finely grated
1 cup shredded mild Cheddar (about 3 ounces)
1 cup shredded Monterey jack cheese (about 3 ounces)
2 tablespoons breadcrumbs
1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted
Hot sauce, for serving, optional

Steps:

Position oven racks in the upper and lower thirds of the oven, and preheat to 400 degrees F. Line 2 or 3 mini-muffin pans with liners, and coat the liners generously with cooking spray.
Bring a medium pot of salted water to a boil. Add the macaroni and cook according to the package directions until al dente. Drain the macaroni and rinse under cold water until cool. Drain again and shake off any excess water.
Put the heavy cream, cream cheese, eggs, mustard, paprika and garlic in a large bowl. Beat on low speed with an electric mixer until combined (the mixture may have small lumps). Add the macaroni, Cheddar and Monterey jack, and stir until combined.
Drop heaping tablespoonfuls of the mac 'n' cheese into the prepared muffin liners. Combine the breadcrumbs and butter with your fingers in a small bowl until the mixture is the texture of wet sand. Sprinkle the top of each mac 'n' cheese mound with the buttered breadcrumbs.
Bake until the cheese is melted and the bites are golden brown, 25 to 30 minutes. Let cool for at least 5 minutes before serving hot or at room temperature. Serve with hot sauce on the side, if desired.