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Someone in our family…you know who…is going through a serious macaroni and cheese phase. It’s funny how kids get something in their heads and just fixate on it. This has happened to Kenya with tons of foods such as pizza, pasta, yogurt, muffins, cheese, even string beans (seriously, he couldn’t get enough of them) and now he’s obsessed with mac and cheese.
I’ve been having a blast coming up with fun pasta and cheese recipes and these Mac, Chicken and Cheese Bites are a tasty way to give your kids a double boost of protein. I especially love these bites because they fit beautifully in a lunch box and even little kids can easily hold them in their hands. When Kenya first saw these he asked, “What are those” and I said, “mac and cheese muffins”. “Macaroni”, “cheese” and “muffin” all in the same sentence? They were a winner before he even tried the first bite! I wonder if that means this phase will last three times as long?
Mac, Chicken and Cheese Bites
Ingredients
- 1/2 pound elbow macaroni
- 2 tablespoon butter
- 2 tablespoon flour
- 1/2 Tsp kosher salt
- 1 1/2 Cup milk
- 1 Cup White Cheddar
- 1/2 Cup parmesan cheese, divided
- 1/4 Cup bread crumbs
- 1 Cup shredded cooked chicken
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
- Cook pasta until al dente, according to package directions (the pasta I used said to cook for 9-12 minutes, so I cooked it for 10 minutes).
- Drain the pasta and set aside.
- In a small heavy bottomed saucepan melt 2 Tbsp of the butter.
- Whisk in the flour and salt and cook for 2 minutes.
- Add the milk in a slow stream and whisk to combine. Bring the mixture to a boil and then reduce to a simmer. Cook for 3 minutes stirring occasionally .
- Add the white cheddar and 1/4 cup parmesan cheese and stir until melted.
- Pour the cheese sauce and chicken over the pasta and stir to combine.
- In a bowl, combine the 1/4 cup parmesan cheese and bread crumbs.
- Grease mini muffin cups.
- Pour about 1/4 cup of the macaroni mixture into the muffin cups, sprinkle the top with the bread and cheese mixture and bake for 15-20 minutes (I cooked mine for 20 mins) or until breadcrumbs are golden brown.
- Cool in muffin cups, remove and serve.
- *Allow to cool and place in ziploc bag,label and freeze up to 4 months. When ready, place in toaster oven or oven at 300 for 10 minutes or until heated through.
Nutrition
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I had high hopes for this one. I was kinda bummed my 14 month old just wasn’t loving them. They fell apart and were really dry.
You can do either! You could leave out the chicken or substitute a soft veggie. You want something that will be about the same consistency as the cooked chicken. Maybe steamed carrots or broccoli? Let me know how it works!
Could I leave out the chicken, or substitute a veggie for the chicken?
[…] 4. MAC & CHEESE BITES […]
I made these and my daughter just LOVED them…me too!! Instead of breadcrumbs, i sprinkled wheat germ on top for extra nutrition! Just a crispy as breadcrumbs!
I made these for my girls (who LOVE mac n cheese with a passion!) and they LOVED them! I swapped out white cheddar for 2% milk sharp cheddar (the hubby hates white cheddar) and they were fab! You definitely have to cook these *just* long enough. I made two batches, and the 1st batch fell apart upon scooping them out b/c I had under-cooked them. The 2nd batch I let cook a couple minutes more and they held together.
Just made these…shredded the chicken vs cubing it, they held together perfectly after 20 min in oven & VERY picky 5 yr old didn’t fuss about the chicken! Yea!
I made these the other night and they were a HIT!!! My 6 and 4 y.o. daughters LOVED them, as well as the hubby! I have a gas oven and typically I have to cook things 5 mins. (give or take) less than what the original recipe calls for. However, these NEED more than 15 mins. in the oven to get that good crisp on the outside. I had one batch in for 15 mins. and they fell apart upon scooping them out. (And yes, I did wait until they had cooled a bit.)
Amazingly cheesy n tasty! Only it’s better to substitute wholewheat pasta for normal macaroni and wheat in place of flour, from health point of view.
[…] Mac, Chicken & Cheese Bites […]
Hi,
My toddler LOVES mac and cheese…would eat it every day if I let him! I am so excited to try these, but don’t have any Parmesan Cheese on hand. Can I use any other type of cheese?
Is your son able to heat these up at school or does he just eat them cold?
I made a batch of these tonight to freeze and put in my son’s lunches over the next few weeks. I only added 1/2 cup of milk and I mixed in 1 cup butternut squash puree right before I added the cheeses. I also subbed whole wheat pasta, flour and breadcrumbs. They turned out great, with just a hint of sweet from the squash, but I know he’ll love them. Thanks for the recipe!
These were wonderful, I made them in a regular muffin time and they turned out great. I took three out immediately because I was hungry and too impatient and they stayed together pretty well, a little crack but pretty good. I let the others cool to put into the freezer and they stayed together perfectly. I did leave out the chicken though.
Awesome! My husband took the leftovers for lunch today. I tried the mac and cheese before putting them in the muffin tins and it was creamy and delicious. I might try cooking it in one big casserole dish next time.
All 3 of my kids loved them- which is a shocker! I am waiting to hear how they did as leftovers in school lunches. My 2 year old actually ate them at school and that is all I need to do it again! I am wondering if I wanted to use a regular muffin pan for my bigger kids (and less time consuming) would I just let it go longer to get them thoroughly cooked and develop that crust?