Bacon Mac N' Cheese Bites
Who likes Mac n’ Cheese? Who likes bacon? If you raised your hand, then this is for you! If that combo wasn’t enough, I added a little surprise in the middle, with a kick! These mac n’ cheese bites are so full of flavor, so decadent and delicious, it will be hard to stop at one! These are a great option for Super Bowl parties or any party! When I came up with this recipe, I wanted to create a fan favorite (mac n’ cheese) but in smaller portions and with a twist. I decided to use a rich flavored cheese spread in the noodles for a bolder punch to the palette.
Ingredients:
-4 cups GLUTEN FREE elbow pasta (I use gluten free because it sticks together better, THIS IS NOT AN ENTIRELY GLUTEN FREE DISH)
-1 cup “Cheddar Bacon” cold pack cheese spread (I like a refrigerated cheese spread)
-2 eggs
-1/2 cup crushed butter pretzels
-1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
-1 “Jalepeno flavored” summer sausage- cubed
-Non-stick spray
Tools:
-Cupcake tin
-Basting brush
Preheat oven to 350 degrees
Step#1
Cook your elbow pasta according to directions on box and drain. Immediately add the 1 cup of cheese spread while the pasta is steaming hot, so it can melt. You will end up with a nice, creamy mixture. Put in refrigerator for 45 minutes to cool since you will be handling it with your hands.
Step#2
While pasta mixture is cooling in refrigerator, cut your summer sausage into cubes and crush your pretzels in a ziplock bag. Add red pepper flakes to pretzel crumbs.
Step#3
Once the pasta is cooled, add one of the eggs and combine. Then scoop a small amount into your hand (cup your hand) and add a cube of summer sausage in the middle. Add more pasta on top and firmly pack together to form a ball. Spray your cupcake tin with non-stick spray and place balls in each cup.
Step#4
Crack your second egg into a smaller bowl and whisk. Using a basting brush, brush on egg wash on the top of each ball. This will give you a golden color on top once it's baked. Then, add pretzel crumbs and red pepper flake mixture on top and pat down a bit.
Step #5
Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes until top is golden. Cool for about 15 minutes before removing from tin. Enjoy!
Fun Fact: The very first Macaroni and Cheese recipe originated wayyyyy back in the late 13th Century in Italy with boiled fermented dough tossed with grated cheese.
