Mini Macaroni Pies

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Cookbook

The Deen Bros. Take It Easy: Quick and Affordable Meals the Whole Family Will Love

Published by Ballantine Books

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Mini Macaroni Pies

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Editor's Note: Your next potluck or get-together with family and friends needs to include these Mini Macaroni Pies! This easy appetizer recipe takes the traditional macaroni and cheese, then gives it a twist that's delightful and fun. These Mini Macaroni Pies are actually baked in a muffin tin so you can easily form and bake the pies. This recipe is perfect for just about any casual event on your calendar, as everyone is sure to scoop up these hand-held pies. Kids of all ages will love the novelty of eating the beloved dish of macaroni and cheese with their hands, and will especially enjoy the cheesy taste.

When Jack’s cousin Baby Lizzie first started picking up food and feeding herself, we started making macaroni and cheese in mini muffin pans for her. Big cousin Jack likes to take a large bite, so for him regular muffin pans fit the bill. You can make these in either one. The crispy Ritz cracker crumbs on the outside form a little crust for these pies, making them perfect to eat with your hands. We’re not saying they will be much neater than regular mac and cheese, but these sure are fun and delicious.

Serves8 kids or 4 adults

Cooking MethodBaking

CostInexpensive

Easy

Total Timeunder 1 hour

Kid FriendlyYes

OccasionBuffet, Buffet Meal, Casual Dinner Party, Family Get Together, Game Day

Recipe CourseMain Course, Side Dish, Snack

MealDinner, Kid Snack, Lunch

Taste and TextureButtery, Cheesy, Chewy, Creamy, Crisp, Savory

Type of DishBaked Pasta

Ingredients

1½ cups (about 35 crackers) crushed Ritz crackers
2 ½ cups (10 ounces) grated cheddar cheese
4 tablespoons (½ stick) unsalted butter, melted, plus 2 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into pieces
4½ cups cooked elbow macaroni (8 ounces uncooked), drained and kept hot
2 large eggs, beaten
½ cup milk
¼ cup sour cream
¼ teaspoon salt

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease 8 cups of a 12-cup muffin pan.
In a bowl, combine the crackers, 1 cup of the cheddar cheese, and the melted butter. Divide the mixture among the prepared muffin cups and press firmly in the bottom and up the sides of the cups.
In a large bowl, mix the macaroni with ½ cup of the cheddar cheese. In a small bowl, combine the eggs, milk, sour cream, cold butter pieces, and salt. Stir the milk mixture into the macaroni.
Spoon 2 tablespoons of the macaroni mixture into each cracker crust and top with the remaining cheddar cheese. Bake for about 25 minutes, or until the cheese is browned and slightly crispy. Allow the pies to cool slightly before unmolding and serving warm.