Bacon Macaroni and Cheese Cups
Today we are honoring mac and cheese by creating our own new unique twist – Bacon Macaroni and Cheese Cups!
Can we talk about macaroni and cheese for a minute? We’ve all eaten it in some shape or form and we all have our strong opinions about the ingredients it should include. Am I right?
Well, today we are honoring mac and cheese by adding our own new twist because that is how we do things on Mom Spark. 🙂
I present to you….Bacon Mac and Cheese Cups.
Bacon Macaroni and Cheese Cups
Today we are honoring mac and cheese by creating our own new unique twist - Bacon Macaroni and Cheese Cups!
Ingredients
- 8 ounces elbow macaroni
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1/2 cup skim milk
- 2 tablespoons all purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 2 cups shredded Sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded Colby Jack cheese
- 5 slices thick-cut bacon cooked and crumbled
- 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon fresh ground pepper
- 3/4 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1 tablespoon melted butter
Instructions
- Cook macaroni according to package directions; drain and place in a large mixing well.
- Preheat oven to 375F.
- While macaroni is cooking, heat 2 tablespoons butter in a nonstick skillet over medium-low heat. Add flour and paprika, whisking 2 minutes. Add milk and continue to whisk 5 minutes or until thick and no lumps appear. Remove from heat and stir in cheese. Stir cheese mixture into macaroni until combined. Add bacon and pepper, mixing gently. Using a cookie scoop, scoop macaroni mixture evenly into lightly greased regular-size muffin cup pan, pressing to pack down into muffin cups. The mixture does not rise so you can fill almost to the top of each cup.
- If a crust topping is desired, turn oven to broil and combine panko and 1 tablespoon melted butter on a baking sheet. Broil 3 to 4 minutes or until golden brown. Spoon 2 teaspoons over each muffins cup.
- Bake in preheated oven 23 to 25 minutes or until golden and bubbly. Remove from oven and let stand 10 minutes. Carefully run a knife around the edges of each cup to remove from pans. These area also great reheated.
Founder of Mom Spark – a lifestyle blog for moms.