Smoky Mac and Cheese Bites Recipe

Name: Smoky Mac and Cheese Bites
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 1 h
Yield: 24 servings
Ingredients: 2 cups (500 mL) uncooked elbow macaroni (1/2 lb/250 g); 1 tbsp (15 mL) olive oil; 1/2 cup (125 mL) panko breadcrumbs, divided; 2 tbsp (30 mL) butter; 3 tbsp (45 mL) all-purpose flour; 1 3/4 cups (425 mL) whole milk; 1/2 tsp (2 mL) each smoked paprika, salt and pepper; 2 1/2 cups (625 mL) grated Applewood Smoked Cheddar cheese, divided; 1/2 cup (125 mL) roughly chopped chives; 1 egg yolk

Ingredients

2 cups (500 mL) uncooked elbow macaroni (1/2 lb/250 g)
1 tbsp (15 mL) olive oil
1/2 cup (125 mL) panko breadcrumbs, divided
2 tbsp (30 mL) butter
3 tbsp (45 mL) all-purpose flour
1 3/4 cups (425 mL) whole milk
1/2 tsp (2 mL) each smoked paprika, salt and pepper
2 1/2 cups (625 mL) grated Applewood Smoked Cheddar cheese, divided
1/2 cup (125 mL) roughly chopped chives
1 egg yolk

	PREP TIME 15m	COOK TIME 45m	TOTAL TIME 1h
YIELD 24 servings

Instructions

Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain well.
Meanwhile, preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Brush 24 mini-muffin tins with olive oil. Sprinkle bottom of each cup with 1/2 tsp (2 mL) panko.
In large saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour; cook 1 min. Gradually whisk in milk until smooth. Continue whisking while bringing to a boil; simmer 5 min., or until thickened. Whisk in smoked paprika, salt and pepper. Remove from heat and stir in each of the following, mixing in each ingredient before adding the next: 2 cups (500 mL) cheese, chives and egg yolk. Stir in drained cooked pasta; mix well.
Fill prepared mini muffin tins with macaroni and cheese mixture. Sprinkle top of each macaroni and cheese bite with remaining panko and cheese. Bake 15 min., or until cheese is golden brown and bubbling. Cool 10 min. before using small spoon to loosen edges around each bite before lifting out of muffin tins. Transfer to serving tray.

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