Mac and Cheese Balls
Pin RecipeI love these Mac and Cheese bites fried, crispy on the outside, yet creamy and soft in the inside.
Servings: 6
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:
Calories: 763kcal | Carbohydrates: 74g | Protein: 34g | Fat: 36g | Saturated Fat: 21g | Cholesterol: 182mg | Sodium: 950mg | Potassium: 289mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 1106IU | Calcium: 554mg | Iron: 3mg
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.
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