Recipe Wednesday - Mac, Chicken & Cheese Bites

When this recipe for Mac, Chicken, and Cheese Bites from Weelicious came up in my Google Reader I just about jumped for joy. Baby C and I both LOVE macaroni and cheese. It's a PITA to send mac and cheese for his lunch though, because he still hasn't quite mastered the spoon. I prefer to send things that are easily picked up. Perfect solution!



Mac, Chicken & Cheese Bites
(Makes 20 Mini Bites)

1/2 Lb. Macaroni
2 Tbsp Butter
2 Tbsp Flour
1/2 Tsp Salt
1 1/2 Cup Milk
1 Cup White Cheddar (I only had yellow cheddar in the house)
1/2 Cup Parmesan Cheese, divided
1/4 Cup Bread Crumbs
1 Cup Cooked Chicken, diced

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
2. Cook pasta until al dente, according to package directions.
3. Drain the pasta and set aside.
4. In a small heavy bottomed saucepan melt 2 Tbsp of the butter.
5. Whisk in the flour and salt and cook for 2 minutes.
6. Add the milk in a slow stream and whisk to combine. Bring the mixture to a boil and then reduce to a simmer. Cook for 3 minutes stirring occasionally .
7. Add the white cheddar and 1/4 cup parmesan cheese and stir until melted.
8. Pour the cheese sauce and chicken over the pasta and stir to combine. (I omitted the chicken this time around)
9. In a bowl, combine the 1/4 cup parmesan cheese and bread crumbs.
10. Grease mini muffin cups.
11. Pour about 1/4 cup of the macaroni mixture into the muffin cups, sprinkle the top with the bread and cheese mixture and bake for 15-20 minutes or until breadcrumbs are golden brown.
12. Cool in muffin cups, remove and serve.

I left out the chicken on this first pass just to get an idea of how they would go over on their own. Next time I make them I'll include the chicken and probably mix in a few chopped veggies or peas. What better vehicle for the green stuff than mac and cheese? Baby C must have liked them quite a bit - I sent two muffins as his main lunch dish and it looks like he licked the bowl. Yum!