Fried Mac and Cheese
Crispy on the outside with a cheesy center, fried mac and cheese is made with creamy mac and cheese fried with a flavorful breadcrumb coating for the ultimate appetizer!
Ingredients
- ½ pound elbow macaroni
- 1 Tablespoon butter
- 1 Tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 1 cup milk , warmed plus 1 Tablespoon
- ½ pound cheddar cheese
- ½ pound smoked gouda
- 1 egg
- 1 ½ cups breadcrumbs
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
Optional: Marinara sauce for dipping
Instructions
- Cook noodles. Cook 1/2 pound of macaroni according to directions. Drain and rinse with cold water. Set aside.
- Make roux. In a pan, melt 1 Tablespoon butter over medium-heat and sprinkle in 1 Tablespoon flour. Whisk together. Cook for 2 minutes.
- Add milk. Add in 1 cup warmed milk and stir to get rid of lumps. Cook until sauce thickens, about 2 minutes.
- Stir in cheese. Remove from heat and add in 1/2 pound cheddar cheese and 1/2 pound smoked gouda cheese then stir until melted and smooth. Season with salt and pepper. Pour cheese over macaroni and stir to combine.
- Chill. Pour into a shallow pan and refrigerate for 2 hours.
- Form into mac and cheese balls then freeze. Form macaroni and cheese into balls using a cookie or ice cream scoop. Place on a wax paper lined cookie sheet and freeze overnight, or until cold and firm.
- Make breading. Mix together 1 egg and 1 Tablespoon milk to make a wash in a shallow bowl. Mix 1 1/2 cup breadcrumbs and 1 teaspoon seasoning together and place in a shallow bowl. Dip macaroni and cheese balls into egg wash and then cover with breadcrumb mixture.
- Deep fry. Heat oil in a large pot to 350°F and fry macaroni and cheese balls until they are golden brown and cooked through, about 5 minutes. Turn them halfway to evenly brown.
- Drain and enjoy. Remove and set on baking sheet lined with paper towels. Enjoy while warm with marinara!
Notes
- Be sure your oil isn’t too hot so they don’t cook too fast. You want them to heat through so you don’t end up with frozen mac & cheese in the middle!
- Extras can be stored in the freezer.
Nutrition
Serving: 3mac and cheese balls, Calories: 291kcal, Carbohydrates: 26g, Protein: 15g, Fat: 14g, Saturated Fat: 8g, Cholesterol: 59mg, Sodium: 394mg, Potassium: 145mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 3g, Vitamin A: 383IU, Calcium: 327mg, Iron: 1mg
Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.
