Baked Mac & Cheese Cups – Cheesy, Crunchy & Totally Addictive!

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Introduction

There’s something magical about mac and cheese—but make it bite-sized, and you’ve got yourself a party! These Baked Mac & Cheese Cups are the perfect mix of creamy, cheesy goodness with a golden crispy crust. Whether you're feeding a crowd, prepping lunchbox snacks, or just craving comfort food in fun form, these are about to be your new favorite.

“Crafted by AI, inspired by humans — where technology meets taste with trust.”


📋 Ingredients

For the mac & cheese base:

  • 2 cups elbow macaroni (uncooked)

  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

  • 1 ½ cups whole milk

  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

  • ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese

  • Salt and pepper to taste

For the cups:

  • 1 large egg (lightly beaten)

  • ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese

  • ½ cup breadcrumbs (panko for extra crunch)

  • Optional: parsley or green onions for garnish

👩‍🍳 Instructions

  1. Cook the Pasta:
    Boil macaroni until just al dente. Drain and set aside.

  2. Make the Cheese Sauce:
    In a pan, melt butter over medium heat. Stir in flour and whisk for 1 minute. Slowly add milk while whisking continuously. Cook until thickened, then stir in cheddar and mozzarella. Season with salt & pepper.

  3. Mix It All:
    Combine cooked pasta with cheese sauce. Let it cool for 5 minutes, then stir in the beaten egg (this helps hold the cups together).

  4. Prep the Muffin Tin:
    Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 12-cup muffin tin. Sprinkle a little panko in each cup for an extra crispy bottom layer.

  5. Spoon In & Top:
    Scoop mac mixture into each muffin cup. Top with breadcrumbs and a pinch of parmesan.

  6. Bake:
    Bake for 20–25 minutes until golden and set. Let cool 5 minutes before removing.

  7. Serve & Enjoy:
    Garnish with chopped parsley or green onion for a fresh touch. Serve warm!

💡 Pro Tips

  • Add cooked bacon or jalapeños to spice it up.

  • Use silicone muffin liners for easy cleanup.

  • Make ahead and freeze—just reheat in oven or air fryer.

    Faqs:

    Q: Can I make these mac and cheese cups ahead of time?
    A: Yes! You can make and refrigerate them for up to 3 days or freeze for up to a month.

    Q: What’s the best cheese to use?
    A: Cheddar is a classic, but adding mozzarella makes them gooey. You can also mix in pepper jack or gouda for flavor.

    Q: How do I reheat them?
    A: Pop them in the oven at 350°F for 10 minutes or 3–5 minutes in the air fryer for crispiness.

Craving more cozy meals? Don’t miss my Viral Lasagna Soup Recipe!
https://recipes-by-ai.blogspot.com/2025/05/easy-lasagna-soup-recipe-one-pot-30.html

Tried this recipe?
Leave a comment below and tag me on Pinterest or Facebook, I’d LOVE to see your mac & cheese cups in action! 😍🧀

📄 Disclaimer

Some of the content on Recipes By Ai is created using AI assistance (such as ChatGPT by OpenAI). While AI helps us generate creative and innovative recipes, each post is manually reviewed, formatted, and edited by a human to ensure it is accurate, easy to follow, and genuinely helpful for readers.

We do our best to test or verify the cooking process and ingredients before sharing them.

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