Mac and Cheese Bites

Mac and Cheese is one of my son's favorite dish.  He makes sure it's on the menu every time we have family gatherings.  When I found this recipe on Annie Eat's.  My two kids absolutely love these mac and cheese bites. You can make them using a standard cupcake pan or mini cupcake pan.  For nibblers like my son, I suggest the standard cupcake size.  I prefer the standard size when packing my kids lunch.  

Ingredients

12 oz. elbow macaroni noodles
2 cups butter cracker crumbs (such as Ritz)
3 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese, divided
6 tbsp. unsalted butter, melted
1 (5.2 oz.) package Boursin garlic herb cheese
2 tbsp. cold unsalted butter
2 large eggs
¾ cup milk
¼ cup sour cream
¼ tsp. salt
Pinch red pepper flakes


Directions
 

• Preheat the oven to 350˚ F.  Bring a large pot of water to boil.  Cook the pasta according to the package directions.  Drain well.  Meanwhile, lightly grease standard size cupcake pans with cooking spray. 
•  In a medium bowl, combine the cracker crumbs, ½ cup of the shredded cheese, and melted butter and mix until combined.  Spoon a bit of the mixture into the bottom of each cupcake well and tamp down with the flat bottom of a glass or other.
• Once the pasta is cooked and drained, add it to a large mixing bowl with the remaining shredded cheese, the Boursin and cold butter.  
• In a liquid measuring cup, combine the eggs, milk, and sour cream and whisk to combine.  Add the liquid mixture to the bowl with the pasta.  Stir in the salt and red pepper flakes and mix until evenly combined.
• Divide the macaroni mixture between the prepared cupcake wells.  Bake until light golden, about 20-25 minutes.  Let  the mac and cheese bites cool in the pan for at least 10-15 minutes before taking them out.

Things to do with your little one

• You can have your little one turn Ritz crackers into crumbs by putting the crackers in a zip-log bag and have him/her smash it into crumbs.
• You can have them measure the ingredients and put them in a bowl
• Your little one can mix all the ingredients together
• Your little one can spoon the cracker crumbs and mac mixture into the cupcake wells