Homemade baked mac n cheese bites are a creamy, cheesy, and perfectly bite-sized on-the-go snack for kids as well as a finger food appetizer! Use some leftover macaroni and cheese, or stir up some stove-top mac n cheese to make these. Either way, they're absolutely perfect bites of deliciousness!
Easy Homemade Baked Mac And Cheese Bites
This is definitely one of those great recipes to make with kids, and my daughter just loves to help with making them (and taste testing, of course!) I know that being able to make homemade mac n cheese was one of my first kitchen accomplishments when I was a kid.
If you are making the stovetop macaroni and cheese, which this would be if you leave the egg out, you can also serve up your portions for a meal. Then mix up the remaining leftovers with an egg and spoon out as many baked mac n cheese bites as you have leftovers for!
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🥘 Homemade Baked Mac N Cheese Bites Ingredients
These common ingredients are easy to find if you don't already have them on hand. Plus, you can use some leftover macaroni and cheese to make these tasty bites!
- Macaroni - 8 ounces of elbow macaroni noodles, cooked and drained.
- Butter - 2 tablespoons of butter.
- Heavy Cream - 1 cup of heavy cream.
- Milk - ½ cup of milk.
- Cream Cheese - 2 ounces of cream cheese.
- Cheddar - 2 cups of freshly grated sharp cheddar cheese. Using freshly grated is preferable to storebought grated cheese as it melts better.
- Garlic Powder - ¼ teaspoon of garlic powder.
- Salt & Pepper - A pinch of both salt and pepper.
- Mustard Powder (optional) - A pinch of dry mustard powder, if desired.
- Egg - 1 large egg that has been beaten.
*Be sure to see the free printable recipe card below for ingredients, exact amounts & instructions with tips!*
🔪 How To Make Homemade Baked Mac N Cheese Bites
If you are using leftover macaroni and cheese, you can go ahead and skip ahead to assembling the mac and cheese bites! If you are making these from scratch, go ahead and grab your mini muffin pan, a saucepan, and a rubber spatula.
This recipe will yield 6 bite-sized servings or about 24 mac n cheese bites in total.
Prepare The Macaroni
- Preheat. To get started on these, preheat your oven to 400°F (205°C) and either butter or spray your mini muffin pan tray with non-stick cooking spray.
- Cook pasta. Start your 8 ounces of elbow macaroni water (and cook the pasta following package instructions), and then heat a medium saucepan to medium heat. Add the 2 tablespoons of butter to the saucepan to melt it, then add the 1 cup of heavy cream, ½ cup of milk, and 2 ounces of cream cheese.
- Simmer sauce. Bring the sauce mixture to a low simmer and cook long enough to be able to break up and melt the cream cheese (putting the cream cheese into the mixture in smaller pieces helps speed this up).
- Melt. Add 2 cups of sharp cheddar cheese, ¼ teaspoon of garlic powder, and a pinch each of salt, pepper, and dry mustard powder (optional), and stir all of the ingredients together until the sharp cheddar cheese is melted.
- Pour sauce over noodles. Remove the sauce from heat when the cheese is fully melted and pour over the cooked and drained elbow macaroni.
- Add egg. Add the 1 beaten egg and stir until all of the pasta is evenly coated with cheese and the egg has been completely incorporated into the mac n cheese.
Assemble The Mac N Cheese Bites
- Prepare mac and cheese bites. Spoon portions of the mac n cheese into the mini muffin pan cups, to the top edge, and then top each with a small portion of grated cheese.
- Bake. Bake at 400ºF (205 ºC) for 20 minutes, or until the tops of the mac n cheese bites are turning golden brown.
- Cool. Allow the homemade baked mac n cheese bites to set up in the pan for about 5 minutes, then pop them out using a knife down one side or your fingers. I am usually able to pull up on an edge to get the cheesy, fun bites out.
- Serve. Serve immediately and enjoy!
These tasty bites are perfect for a quick snack or even a tasty appetizer! If you are throwing a party, serve them alongside some other easy appetizers like buffalo chicken dip, crab cakes, or pretzels! Enjoy!
💭 Angela's Pro Tips & Recipe Notes
- Make sure to spritz your muffin tin with some non-stick cooking spray so that you can easily pop your mac n cheese bites out when they are done!
- I enjoy using sharp cheddar cheese in this recipe, but you can always feel free to swap it out with some other tasty varieties like gouda or gruyere!
- For best results, shred your cheese at home. Pre-shredded cheese contains additives to prevent it from sticking together, which affects how well it melts.
🥡 Storing & Reheating
These tasty bites can be stored in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
To freeze, make sure your mac and cheese bites are completely cool, and then transfer them into a zip-top storage bag. They can be frozen for up to 6 months.
Reheating Homemade Baked Mac N Cheese Bites
Simply pop your mac and cheese bites into the microwave you reheat them. Or, you can place them back into the muffin pan and cover them with foil. Bake them in the oven at 400ºF (205 ºC) until they are heated to your liking.
❓ Recipe FAQs
Sure! Instead of 24 mini bites, you'll have 12 larger ones. I like using a mini muffin tin because they are perfectly bite-sized and great for parties. But a standard muffin pan will work just fine as well!
Yep! Go ahead and completely prepare the macaroni and cheese bites, but skip out on putting them in the oven. Cover them and store the muffin tin in the fridge until you are ready. Then, uncover them and bake them as directed!
While you can certainly use whatever cheese you like, I suggest sticking to a cheese that melts well. I would opt for sharp cheddar, gouda, gruyere, or fontina!
🧀 More Tasty Mac & Cheese Recipes
- Instant Pot Mac & Cheese - Using your Instant Pot is a quick and easy way of whipping up some creamy macaroni and cheese!
- Velveeta Mac & Cheese - Grab some Velveeta for an extra gooey and cheesy bowl of mac & cheese!
- Microwave Mac & Cheese - The microwave is one of the fastest and simplest ways to enjoy this tasty comfort food!
- Crockpot Mac & Cheese - This macaroni & cheese recipe is completely hands-off since it is made in your slow cooker!
- Cauliflower Mac & Cheese - Check out this lower-carb alternative for macaroni and cheese!
- White Cheddar Lobster Macaroni & Cheese - Elevate your dish by adding in some delicious lobster!
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📖 Recipe Card
Homemade Baked Mac N Cheese Bites
Ingredients
- 8 oz elbow macaroni (cooked and drained)
- 2 tablespoon butter
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup milk
- 2 oz cream cheese (¼ of a standard 8 oz package)
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese (grated)
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 pinch each, salt & pepper (or to taste)
- 1 pinch dry mustard powder (optional)
- 1 large egg (beaten)
(Note: 2x or 3x only changes the ingredient list)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (205°C) and coat the muffin cups of a mini muffin pan tray with butter or non-stick cooking spray.
- While your elbow macaroni is cooking, start the cheese sauce by melting the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the heavy cream, milk, and cream cheese to the melted butter and bring to simmering long enough to fully melt the cream cheese.
- Add the sharp cheddar cheese and seasoning (garlic powder, salt, pepper, dry mustard powder) and combine, stirring enough to melt the added cheddar. Remove from heat and pour over the cooked and drained elbow macaroni. Stir in the beaten egg until all of the pasta is evenly coated with cheese and the egg is distributed throughout the mac and cheese.
- Spoon the macaroni and cheese into the mini muffin pan cups up to the edge, then top each with a small portion of grated cheese. Bake at 400°F (205°C) for 20 minutes or until the tops and sides of the mac n cheese bites are turning golden brown.
- Allow the mac n cheese bites to cool in the pan for about 5 minutes, then pop them out gently with a knife on one side. Serve immediately.
Patricia Snyder says
Ok to put about a tablespoon size on a baking pan since I don’t have a mini muffin pan?
Angela @ BakeItWithLove.com says
Yes, just scoop a portion onto a baking sheet. Thanks for asking!
Ann M says
Can the cheese sauce be made in advance, refrigerated overnight, then warmed up when ready to assemble the bites without affecting texture and creaminess? If yes, how would you recommend rewarming the sauce?
Angela @ BakeItWithLove.com says
I wouldn't suggest that, as the sauce will likely split. Thanks for the question!
jessica says
I have a stouffer's Mac n Cheese that was given to me. I was contemplating baking it and then turning it into bites. Any suggestions?
Angela @ BakeItWithLove.com says
Sure thing! Skip down to the end of step 3 in the recipe card where it says to stir in the egg until evenly distributed (in your cooked macaroni and cheese). Continue as directed from there. Enjoy!!
Angela says
Can I cook these the day before and reheat the next day?
Angela @ BakeItWithLove.com says
Yes, definitely! They will be a little less fabulous, but still tasty! Reheat them in your oven or air fryer at 350F (175C) for 5-8 minutes or until warmed to your satisfaction. Thanks for asking!
MaryLou says
Can I make these in regular size muffin tins? How much time to bake?
Angela @ BakeItWithLove.com says
You most definitely can, I always add 10 minutes to the baking time for mini muffin size when I want to bake a regular muffin size snack or treat. Check them at 30 minutes and go from there. Thanks for asking!
Mary Leslie says
Home made baked mac n cheese bake:- made these during covid-19 stay home due to my job got furlough, this recipe is excellent!! follow the recipe except I have to use regular muffin pan for I use bigger Mac noodles (on sale). But it still turn out DELICIOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!‼. THANKS!!!!!!!!‼
Angela @ BakeItWithLove.com says
Mary we are so happy that you enjoyed these mac n cheese bites! I really do think they're one of the easiest (and best tasting) ways to use up macaroni and cheese! Thanks for letting us know how they turned out for you 🙂