When the girls came into town, they gave us a gift.  However, the gift comes with a bit of a back story. At our apartment boxes and packages get opened more than I’d care to admit, as a quick fix to dinner. I know it is a travesty and an affront to my profession, but life happens. The girls heard me mention this, and they partnered this new information with the fact that our love for mac-n-cheese, truly runs deep. They painted a beautiful ceramic bowl a bright, sunshiny yellow with little macaroni noodles painted on the inside surface.  There were three blue boxes inside the bowl. It was a cute nod to a previous post and sweet gift.

With a new bowl and three boxes of mac, what’s a guy to do? I’m definitely not making plain ole’ mac-n-cheese, Oh no; that would be too simple. I pondered this for a minute, pretty intensely as a matter of fact. There were so many options racing through my mind. It was like having a strongman spin the Wheel of Fortune wheel, ingredient after ingredient circling my thoughts. Then all of a sudden it stopped, BINGO! Mac-N-Cheese Bites.

These little treats are awesome, and a great way to serve mac-n-cheese. The recipe below leave those crazy fast food triangles in their dust. I know the recipe seems like a lot, but it really isn’t. So don’t be afraid to try it.

Mac-N-Cheese Bites

8 T (1 stick) unsalted butter

1 box Kraft Three Cheesy Mac & Cheese

1 box Kraft White Cheddar Mac & Cheese

½ c. milk

½ yellow onion, diced

1 c. shredded sharp cheddar

1 c. shredded pizza blend cheese

½ c. heavy cream

Breading

1 c. flour

Salt and Pepper

2 Eggs

1c. Panko Breadcrumbs

½ tsp, Paprika

Frying

¼ C. Canola Oil

Procedure:

1. Prepare a 9 x 13 sheet pan with parchment.
2. Make the Kraft boxes according to package instructions.
3. In a small sauté pan, on medium heat, melt the butter and add onion to sauté.
4. Sauté the onion until it begins to caramelize, about 10 minutes.
5. Stir the onion into the prepared mac along with the milk and additional cheeses. Continue to stir the mixture until all the cheese melts.
6. Pour in the heavy cream and stir to combine.
7. Remove the pan with the mixture from the heat and pour it into the prepared sheet pan to cool.
8. Once the mixture cools for 10 minutes, place the pan in the fridge for at least 1 hour to set.
9. Crack the eggs into a shallow dish and whisk them until combined. Set aside.
10. Combine the flour, salt, and pepper in another shallow dish and stir to combine. Set Aside.
11. In yet another shallow dish mix the panko and paprika together.
12. Once the mac has set and chilled through, remove the mixture from the sheet pan, reline the pan and set aside. Cut the chilled mac into squares that are 2in x 2in.
13. Dredge the squares first into the flour, shaking off the excess. Then into the egg, allow it to drain. Lastly, place the squares into the panko and turn to coat. Place breaded mac bites on the prepared sheet pan. Once all the mac bites are made, chill them again for 30 minutes.
14. When ready to cook, heat a large cast-iron skillet with the oil over medium high heat.
15. Place the prepared bites in the hot oil and fry 2-3 minutes on each side or until golden brown.
16. Drain on paper towels and sprinkle with salt.