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    Home » Appetizers and Snacks Recipes » Savory Appetizers and Snacks Recipes

    Published: Jan 24, 2016 · Modified: Jun 7, 2022 by Renée · This post may contain affiliate links · 24 Comments

    Macaroni with Cheese Appetizer Bites

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    Macaroni with Cheese Appetizer Bites have all the flavors you crave in macaroni and cheese only they're in mini bite-sized appetizer form.

    A bunch of Macaroni and Cheese Appetizer Bites on a football platter.

    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

    Macaroni and Cheese Appetizers

    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! 

    A closeup photo of a bunch of Macaroni and Cheese Appetizer Bites on a football platter.

    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.

    ham and macaroni and cheese collage - 1

    Meanwhile, cook and drain the mini pasta (I used ditalini) and add a bit of olive oil. Stir in the ham (if desired).

    ham and macaroni and cheese collage - 2

    Stir grated cheddar, Swiss, and cream cheese into the thickened sauce until completely melted.

    ham and macaroni and cheese collage - 3

    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.

    ham and macaroni and cheese collage - 4

    Macaroni and Cheese Appetizer Bites

    Renee Goerger
    Everyone's favorite comfort food is morphed into everyone's favorite appetizer.
    No ratings yet
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    Prep Time 20 mins
    Cook Time 20 mins
    Total Time 40 mins
    Course appetizers
    Cuisine American
    Servings 24 servings
    Calories 105 kcal

    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 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

    If using larger muffin tins, bake for approximately 10 minutes longer.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1servingCalories: 105kcalCarbohydrates: 2gProtein: 6gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 27mgSodium: 273mgPotassium: 45mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 241IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 116mgIron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    Come and get 'em! It's party time!!

    Delicious Macaroni and Cheese Appetizers

    For more tasty appetizers and snacks that you might want to consider serving during the big game, how about the following suggestions:

    Touchdown Cheese Ball: 

    Football shaped cheese ball

    CORN AND BLACK BEAN DIP:

    Hot dip with corn and beans

    MINI FRENCH BREAD PIZZA APPETIZERS:

    French Bread Pizza

    SLOPPY BEAN AND SAUSAGE DIP:

    Bean and Sausage Dip

    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

    Thank you so much for visiting me today in my Kudos Kitchen. I hope you found something you'll love and that you'll come back and visit me often. There is always room for you around my table!

    Should you have any questions or comments regarding anything you've seen here on my blog, please don't hesitate to reach out to me. It is always my distinct pleasure to respond to you just as soon as I possibly can.

    Custom Renee Signature

    More Savory Appetizers and Snacks Recipes

    • Best Gruyere Cheese Fondue
    • Cinnamon Sugar Pretzel Sticks
    • Homemade Fried Sweet Potato Chips
    • Buffalo Popcorn

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Nutmeg Nanny says

      January 29, 2016 at 7:40 am

      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!

      Reply
      • Renée says

        January 29, 2016 at 1:31 pm

        HaHa! You'd have to fight me for them!

        Reply
    2. Sarah Walker Caron (Sarah's Cucina Bella) says

      January 29, 2016 at 6:03 am

      What a great finger food! I can't wait to try these.

      Reply
      • Renée says

        January 29, 2016 at 7:03 am

        Thank you so much. They're an appetizer that everyone gravitates to.

        Reply
    3. Kim Beaulieu says

      January 27, 2016 at 3:42 am

      These are perfect for game day. I could eat a million of these bites. These would fly off the tray at our place.

      Reply
      • Renée says

        January 28, 2016 at 3:11 pm

        Thanks Kim. These macaroni and cheese bites didn't last here long either.

        Reply
    4. Melissa from Hungry Food Love says

      January 26, 2016 at 8:38 pm

      I had fried macaroni balls at a restaurant and loooved them. These look and sound so much better, specially because they are baked.

      Reply
      • Renée says

        January 28, 2016 at 3:12 pm

        It's all about the crispy bits with it comes to macaroni and cheese. Thanks, Melissa!

        Reply
    5. Kirsten / Comfortably Domestic says

      January 25, 2016 at 10:05 pm

      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.

      Reply
    6. Megan Keno says

      January 25, 2016 at 7:02 pm

      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!

      Reply
    7. Becky Hardin | The Cookie Rookie says

      January 25, 2016 at 7:00 pm

      How cute. The kids would love these.
      Also, thinking Super Bowl Sunday!!!!

      Reply
    8. Cookin Canuck says

      January 25, 2016 at 6:08 pm

      I'll bet these would disappear in no time! I'd be tempted to splash a little hot sauce on top. 🙂

      Reply
    9. Lauren Kelly Nutrition says

      January 25, 2016 at 3:06 pm

      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!

      Reply
    10. Angie McGowan says

      January 25, 2016 at 2:50 pm

      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!!

      Reply
    11. Ashley @ Wishes and Dishes says

      January 25, 2016 at 2:34 pm

      I love the addition of the ham! I have made them plain before but I bet the ham takes them to the next level!

      Reply
    12. Brenda@SugarfreeMom says

      January 25, 2016 at 1:39 pm

      What a great idea for using left over ham and my kiddies would love these little cheesy bites!

      Reply
    13. Sharon @ What The Fork Food Blog says

      January 25, 2016 at 1:32 pm

      These are so fun! I bet my kids would love them for dinner haha

      Reply
    14. The Food Hunter says

      January 25, 2016 at 1:31 pm

      What a cute idea! they are perfect for superbowl

      Reply
    15. Angie | Big Bear's Wife says

      January 25, 2016 at 10:39 am

      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!

      Reply
    16. Erin @ Texanerin Baking says

      January 25, 2016 at 9:48 am

      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!

      Reply
    17. Faith (An Edible Mosaic) says

      January 25, 2016 at 8:33 am

      What a cute idea! These sound delicious, I love the crispy outside - my favorite part of mac and cheese! 🙂

      Reply
    18. Stephanie says

      January 25, 2016 at 8:32 am

      Ok, these look like a sure fire hit! Such a fun idea!

      Reply
    19. DessertForTwo says

      January 25, 2016 at 7:52 am

      Party at my house! You bring these 🙂

      Reply
    20. Liz says

      January 24, 2016 at 2:14 pm

      Beautiful recipes, Renee. Thank you and have a great Sunday.

      Reply

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    Hi, I'm Renee! I've been a passionate home cook for over 40 years. I specialize in easy-to-make comfort food dishes from appetizers to desserts and everything in between.

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