This Fried Mac and Cheese Balls recipe is perfect to use your leftover mac and cheese. Crispy on the outside, yet creamy, cheesy and soft on the inside. They make a great party or after school snack.
I know this is off topic but it's hard to find great tasting zucchini recipes, but if you've ever grown zucchini, you know getting an abundance of it is never a problem.
In fact, a friend stopped and was interested in seeing how our garden was doing, since she has one too.
For some reason, she moved closer to the fence and either lost her footing or tripped, but fell against the combination wooden and wire gate and landed smack dab on top of a zucchini plant, squishing it thoroughly.
Her foot was caught in the wire mesh, so as we struggled to get her up, it pushed the plant down even further. She lay there on her stomach, but I swear all I could think of was a turtle caught on its back. She was okay, but the plant looked pathetic and we were sure it was dead.
That was four days ago and at the time we thought the plant was a goner but noticed today it has a new small zucchini on it. IT LIVES!
These hardy plants create delicious veggies that are versatile enough to make bread, main dishes, sides, and even snacks, but I'm always looking for new ways to use it since it is quite prolific and as noted previously, tough to kill.
Related Recipe:
You can find the recipe for : Baked Mac and Cheese here.
Mac and Cheese Balls
Back to this recipe, I tried baking these since deep frying isn't my thing, considering the cleanup. It was mushy and not very good therefore, deep frying is the best option [for me :)]. That's why baked mac and cheese balls are one of my favorites.
Anyway, I'm not a big fan of Fried Mac and Cheese Balls recipe, but when it is made with real, good cheese, it can be tempting. Not only that, if you turn good 'ol Mac and Cheese into small bites and fry or bake them, it's not only awesomeness but ridiculously phenomenal. You may check my super easy, cheesy chicken casserole recipe.
Oh boy! I just love the crunchy outside feeling while creamy and cheesy inside of these leftover mac and cheese bites. They're so addicting that I can eat the whole plate in one sitting. I could hear my waist screaming for mercy. ha!
I think I found one that also uses some of the leftover homemade macaroni. This would be on top of my list.
I baked them at a higher heat and longer. Still not good. Finally, I fried these in a few inches of hot oil and viola, it was m-m-m-good.
You can serve this alone or with a dip. I liked a ranch dip, but another member of my family enjoyed honey mustard. They're good no matter how you serve it.
Ingredients
For Mac and cheese
- 1 pound elbow pasta
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- ¼ cup flour
- 2 ¾ cups warm milk
- 2 ½ cups sharp cheddar cheese shredded
- 1 cup fontina cheese shredded (you can add more if desired)
- 1 ¼ cups Havarti cheese shredded
- ¼ teaspoon mustard powder
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
for Mac and Cheese balls
How to Make Mac and Cheese Balls :
1 **If you're using Mac and cheese leftover, skip this process. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Boil the pasta until al-dente. Drain. In the same pot you boiled the pasta in, melt the 4 tablespoons butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour.
2 Reduce the heat to medium-low and let cook/bubble for 1 minute, stirring once or twice to avoid burning.
Gradually whisk in the milk and raise the heat up to medium-high. Bring the mixture to a boil, whisking frequently until the sauce has thickened, about 2-3 minutes.
3 Remove from the heat and stir in all of the cheese, mustard powder, cayenne, salt and pepper. Stir until the cheese is fully melted.
Stir in the pasta and transfer to the prepared baking dish. Cover the mac and cheese and refrigerate 1-2 hours or overnight.
4 In a shallow pie plate or bowl, toss together the Parmesan cheese, bread crumbs, flour, salt and pepper. In another separate bowl whisk together the eggs.
5 Scoop out about 1 tablespoon of mac and cheese, and make Macaroni Cheese balls. Dip into the eggs, making sure to coat the balls fully in eggs.
6 Dip the mac and cheese ball through the bread crumb mixture until completely coated all around. Place back on the baking sheet and repeat the process until all balls have been breaded.
7 Place the tray in the fridge while you heat the oil. Heat a few inches of oil (enough to submerge the balls) in a heavy bottom high sided skillet or deep fryer to 350 degrees F.
8 Once the oil is hot, remove the balls from the fridge and place only a few at a time in the oil (don't overcrowd it). Fry for for 1-2 minutes or until golden brown, flipping throughout cooking if needed.
9 Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Repeat with the remaining balls. Serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauce.
Full Recipe
Mac and Cheese Balls
Ingredients:
- 1 pound elbow pasta
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- ¼ cup flour
- 2 ¾ cups warm milk
- 2 ½ cups sharp cheddar cheese shredded
- 1 cup fontina cheese shredded (you can add more if desired)
- 1 ¼ cups Havarti cheese shredded
- ¼ teaspoon mustard powder
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
Mac and Cheese balls:
- 1 ⅓ cups freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 ½ cups panko bread crumbs
- 2 tablespoons flour
- ½ teaspoon salt and pepper
- 3 eggs beaten
Instructions:
Prep the Macaroni:
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Boil the pasta until al-dente (or according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
Prep the Mac and Cheese Sauce:
- In the same pot you boiled the pasta in, melt the 4 tablespoons butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour.
- Reduce the heat to medium-low and let cook/bubble for 1 minute, stirring once or twice to avoid burning.
- Gradually whisk in the milk and raise the heat up to medium-high. Bring the mixture to a boil, whisking frequently until the sauce has thickened, about 2-3 minutes.
- Remove from the heat and stir in all of the cheese, mustard powder, cayenne, salt and pepper. Stir until the cheese is fully melted.
- Stir in the pasta and transfer to the prepared baking dish. Cover the mac and cheese, let it cool and refrigerate 1-2 hours or overnight.
Prep the Mac n Cheese Balls:
- In a shallow pie plate or bowl, toss together the Parmesan cheese, bread crumbs, flour, salt and pepper. In another separate bowl whisk together the eggs.
- Scoop out about 1 tablespoon of mac and cheese, and make a ball. Dip into the eggs, making sure to coat the balls fully in eggs
- Dip the mac and cheese ball to the bread crumb mixture until completely coated all around.
- Put back on the baking sheet and repeat the process until all balls have been breaded. Place the tray in the fridge while you heat the oil.
- Heat a few inches of oil (enough to submerge the balls) in a heavy bottom high sided skillet or deep fryer to 350 degrees F.
- Once hot, remove the balls from the fridge and place only a few at time in the oil.
- Fry for for 1-2 minutes or until it turned to golden brown, flipping throughout cooking if need.
- Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Repeat with the remaining balls.
- Serve immediately and pair with your favorite dipping sauce.
Nutrition Information:
Please note that all nutrition information are just estimates. Values will vary among brands, so we encourage you to calculate these on your own for most accurate results.
Andrea Metlika says
Wow, these look Marvelous! I'm really loving the cheese combination you use.
Amy | The Cook Report says
Oh yes please! These look absolutely perfect
Pam says
What a perfect little indulgence. Your photos are just stunning!
Vicky says
I really love mac and cheese. Especially the kind that has bread crumbs on top. These mac and cheese balls remind me of a delicious mac and cheese dish. I like how you can serve them as an appetizer or just a quick bite. I know my kids will love them.
Noelle says
This is a great idea! I made this for a dinner party as an appetizer and it was a hit, thank you for sharing!
Jessica H says
My picky kiddo just loves these mac and cheese bites. I like to make them every time we have mac and cheese left over. Perfect for the next day after school snacks.
Valentina says
Now that's a delicious bite of comfort food, and I love a hot appetizer like this one. I'm glad both your zucchini plant AND friend are okay. 🙂
SHANIKA says
Mac + Cheese Fried Balls? Oh my, oh my! These sounds so genius!
Michelle Miller says
Ok it's only 10am where I stand and all I can think of is those mac and cheese crispy bites! What a phenomenal idea and it does look like it works very well flavor-wise. Great and surprising idea! Cannot wait to try those!
Cynthia | What A Girl Eats says
This would be a huge hit in my house! Classic comfort food!
Chef Mireille says
Loved your zucchini story - HA HA - I had something like this at a restaurant once and it was amazing but yours with all the different varieties of cheese I am sure would taste even better.
Caroline says
Love the look of the crisp edges and that they are baked. I'm with you, I'm not generally that big a fan of mac and cheese but with god cheese and a crisp layer on top, I am more tempted and so these sound great.
Jessica Wertz says
I made this recipe using our left over Mac and Cheese.. and these were the star of our sUPER bOWL Partay!!
Chelsea F says
I have to confess, I ate these small bites all day. You see, it's kinda addicting while trying to watch my fave movie. So, I guess, calories don't count? Ahhh.. my waist is screaming for mercy. 🙂
Hellen M says
I'm not a Mac and Cheese fan but this one looks so appetizing. I love the crunchiness of the outside while soft and gooey inside. My kiddo loves these bites.
Sunbun says
Thank you a bunch for sharing this with all people you actually realize what you are talking about! Bookmarked. Kindly also consult with my web site =). We can have a hyperlink trade arrangement among us!
Liz says
This actually looks simple but yours look so good ! I don’t know if mine will turn out like this!
shruti says
Waaaa this is criminal, I'm on a diet and I think I'm just going to have to break it for a bit now! Looks so delish, thanks for the recipe
Kirsty says
And now I am hungry!! These look absolutely insane, I'll have to give them a go! Anything Mac and Cheese related is a winner in my book.
Candy Rachelle says
Oh, my goodness!! I bet my niece would really love this mac and cheese balls. I will definitely give this a try and I am really excited about it. yummy!!
Agnes Vazhure says
Wow! I am looking for an easy recipe for my nephew's birthday. and these mac and cheese balls look really perfect and I am sure that she gonna loves it. I will be pinning this recipe. Thanks for sharing!!
Stephanie Jeannot says
Oh there is a little eatery in Harlem that makes these and I like them. I am gonna try to make this
Nati says
So glad that the zucchini plant survived!! I love zuchini too. These balls look really delicious, I dislike dip frying as well but for the sake of taste, I think this would be the best!
Julie Harbour says
These look so good. I'm going to make these! Yum!
Tanvi Rastogi says
Gosh! These look so tempting ... and your photography always does the magic. I am craving some now.
❥ tanvii.com
Elizabeth O says
What a creative idea, these look lovely! They would go down well at a dinner party as finger food for sure!
Jennifer Prince says
Stop the presses!!! I love mac and cheese and didn't think it could be any better, but FRIED BALLS OF THEM? Seriously, I want them right now. They sound so delicious!!
Alison Rost says
Glad to know that your friend and the zucchini are both okay. I think it's awesome that she has some in her garden, there are plenty of recipes for zucchini! These fried mac and cheese balls are the bomb! I'd love to make this when my grandson comes to visit!
kumamonjeng says
The cheese look so tempting and the recipe doesn't look too complicated. I think I can surprise my family with this at the dinner table! My family love fried food and I don' t think it will go wrong. Yes, with a pop of lemon juice or lime juice will be very refreshing too!
Emily Terrell says
These look delicious! And I have been looking into zucchini recipes. I recently tried the zucchini pasta. It was really good.
Karyl | Karyl's Kulinary Krusade says
Mac and cheese is probably my #1 comfort food! I've never tried it fried though...these look amazing
Sonika Balyan says
This is definitely going to be weekend recipes. I am going to make this in my party this weekend..
Via Bella says
I didn't know you can make these! Omg, they look like they would be a hit with kids so I am definitely going to try this with them.
DASH | MODE LILY ☀️ says
Oh my gosh I would have never thought of mack and cheese deep fried balls! I would worry it won't stick together but as I can see it's no problem 🙂
sajad says
I haven't heard about this thing before, so it will be fun to try this recipe. I will definitely try this recipe when I will get Some extra time , thanks.
Fashion Wanderer says
My fav dish when we have craft beer with! I never thought of making it on my own. Thank you for great inspirational post! Def will try it to make my own 🙂
Sreekar says
Did you say fried mac and cheese. You got me there. The recipe seems pretty familiar though. Will give this a shot sometime this week! Yum!
Jenni LeBaron says
Be still my heart. These look so yummy! What a great appetizer for a party!