Macaroni with Cheese Appetizer Bites have all the flavors you crave in macaroni and cheese only they're in mini bite-sized appetizer form.
If you're looking to score big points at your super bowl party or next tailgating event, then make sure to serve these Ham and Macaroni and Cheese Appetizer Bites. The crowd will cheer, and the fans will roar, and then it's time to watch football. LOL
Since everybody loves finger food at a party, why not make everyone's favorite comfort food, only in snacking form? No fork needed...just fingers!
If you're thinking to yourself, "Boy, I'd like to make these but don't like ham and I don't have mini-muffin tins"... please don't let that stop you! The ham is totally optional (I just happened to have some leftover in the fridge), and you can use regular size muffin tins in place of the minis.
The only thing you'll need to do is keep them in the oven a bit longer because they're larger in size. Other than that, carry on as usual.
If you've never made your own macaroni and cheese, it's really quite simple. Melt butter in a saucepan and whisk in all-purpose flour. Stir in warm milk, salt, pepper, nutmeg, and dry mustard. Stir and cook until the sauce thickens.
Meanwhile, cook and drain the mini pasta (I used ditalini) and add a bit of olive oil. Stir in the ham (if desired).
Stir grated cheddar, Swiss, and cream cheese into the thickened sauce until completely melted.
Stir the cheese sauce into the cooked and drained pasta. Scoop the macaroni and cheese into prepared muffin tins and bake in the oven until golden brown and crisp on the edges.
Printable Recipe Card
Ham and Macaroni and Cheese Appetizer Bites
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups milk warmed slightly
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- ½ cup shredded Swiss Cheese
- 4 ounces cream cheese at room temperature
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- pinch freshly grated nutmeg or to taste
- ½ teaspoon dry mustard
- 1 box (16 ounces) ditallini pasta cooked according to package directions, and drained
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 cups finely chopped ham optional
- cooking spray
- mini muffin cups or regular size muffin cups
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Cook the pasta according to package directions and drain. Stir in the olive oil. Keep warm and set aside.
- In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Whisk in the flour and cook approximately 1-2 minutes.
- Whisk in the warm milk and cook, stirring occasionally. The sauce will start to thicken as it heats.
- Stir in the salt, pepper, nutmeg and dry mustard.
- Switch to a wooden spoon and stir in the shredded cheeses and the cream cheese. Stir until smooth.
- Add the cooked and drained pasta to the cheese sauce and stir until well combined.
- Spray the inside of the muffin cups lightly with cooking spray.
- Fill the muffin tins with the ham and macaroni and cheese mixture.
- Bake in a preheated oven for 20 minutes.
- Serve warm.
Notes
Nutrition
Come and get 'em! It's party time!!
For more tasty appetizers and snacks that you might want to consider serving during the big game, how about the following suggestions:
MINI FRENCH BREAD PIZZA APPETIZERS:
What team will you be cheering for? Do you know? Do you care? Me? I don't really care about the game. I'm more of a half-time watcher and snack eater. The game just happens to be on between the commercials. LOL
Should you have any questions or comments regarding anything you've seen on my site, please don't hesitate to reach out to contact me. It is always my distinct pleasure to get back with you just as soon as I possibly can!
Thank you so much for visiting me today in my Kudos Kitchen. I hope you found something you'll love and that you will come back and visit me often. Please know that there is always room for you around my kitchen table!
Until we eat again, I hope you have a delicious day!
Nutmeg Nanny says
If I showed up to a party and saw these on the appetizer table I would promptly move over to the plate and not leave until I ate them all. I know I should share but these look too good to share!
Renée says
HaHa! You'd have to fight me for them!
Sarah Walker Caron (Sarah's Cucina Bella) says
What a great finger food! I can't wait to try these.
Renée says
Thank you so much. They're an appetizer that everyone gravitates to.
Kim Beaulieu says
These are perfect for game day. I could eat a million of these bites. These would fly off the tray at our place.
Renée says
Thanks Kim. These macaroni and cheese bites didn't last here long either.
Melissa from Hungry Food Love says
I had fried macaroni balls at a restaurant and loooved them. These look and sound so much better, specially because they are baked.
Renée says
It's all about the crispy bits with it comes to macaroni and cheese. Thanks, Melissa!
Kirsten / Comfortably Domestic says
What a fun appetizer idea! Everybody loves mac & cheese. When I make mac & cheese, we always fight over who gets the crispy corners. I have to admit that the battle can get pretty heated. These mac & cheesy bites solve that problem so everyone wins.
Megan Keno says
I am obsessed! These look awesome.... If I made these for a Super Bowl party they might all just about be gone before I even got there!
Becky Hardin | The Cookie Rookie says
How cute. The kids would love these.
Also, thinking Super Bowl Sunday!!!!
Cookin Canuck says
I'll bet these would disappear in no time! I'd be tempted to splash a little hot sauce on top. 🙂
Lauren Kelly Nutrition says
Ha! I'd also be cheering for these bites! I had something just like these at a party and they were the first ones gone! YUM!
Angie McGowan says
These are great football appetizers! Perfect for big kids (husbands) and little ones! I can't wait to try them. That cheese ball is too cute too!!
Ashley @ Wishes and Dishes says
I love the addition of the ham! I have made them plain before but I bet the ham takes them to the next level!
Brenda@SugarfreeMom says
What a great idea for using left over ham and my kiddies would love these little cheesy bites!
Sharon @ What The Fork Food Blog says
These are so fun! I bet my kids would love them for dinner haha
The Food Hunter says
What a cute idea! they are perfect for superbowl
Angie | Big Bear's Wife says
Ham and Macaroni and Cheese Appetizer Bites would be so good for game day! I'm always a fan of anything that has to do with Macaroni and Cheese!I really like the idea of using a mini muffin tin!
Erin @ Texanerin Baking says
That first paragraph made me laugh. 😀 I'd be cheering for these bites, too! I can never get enough mac and cheese and ham is pretty much the only add-in I like in mine. Awesome idea!
Faith (An Edible Mosaic) says
What a cute idea! These sound delicious, I love the crispy outside - my favorite part of mac and cheese! 🙂
Stephanie says
Ok, these look like a sure fire hit! Such a fun idea!
DessertForTwo says
Party at my house! You bring these 🙂
Liz says
Beautiful recipes, Renee. Thank you and have a great Sunday.