Make Ahead Muffin Tin Mac & Cheese (2024)

By Chula King · November 7, 2016 · Updated September 29, 2023 29 Comments

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My favorite parts of mac n cheese are the cheesy top of the mac and the crusty edges. What if you could achieve that in a hand-held macaroni and cheese bite that’s baked to perfection in a muffin tin? You can with these delicious Make-Ahead Muffin Tin Macaroni and Cheese Cups. They are easy to make, taste incredible whether served hot or at room temperature, can be refrigerated and reheated, and freeze beautifully. Who could ask for more?

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Mac and cheese is the ultimate comfort food. Reasons that you’ll love this recipe include the following:

It’s convenient. You can assemble the macaroni and cheese in the muffin tin beforehand, then bake them off when you’re ready to eat.

It’s versatile. Muffin tin mac and cheese can be served as a main course, side dish, or appetizer.

It’s portable. You can easily pack up the mac and cheese muffins in a travel carrier and take them with you to potlucks and parties.

It’s tasty. Muffin-tin mac and cheese is just as delicious as traditional mac and cheese, but it’s even more convenient to enjoy.

Ingredients: Here’s What You’ll Need

I used the following basic ingredients in this recipe.

The Macaroni: I used dried elbow macaroni.

The Cheeses: I used two kinds of shredded cheese in this make-ahead creamy mac and cheese – sharp cheddar cheese and Fontina cheese. I also used cream cheese for added richness but could have substituted sour cream for the cream cheese.

The Binder: Rather than use a traditional cheese sauce to bind the cooked pasta, I used a large egg.

The Seasonings: The seasonings were simple – Kosher salt, freshly grated black pepper, and dry mustard.

The Fats: I included some unsalted butter and olive oil.

Steps: Here’s How I Made These Mac n Cheese Muffins

I started by cooking the macaroni according to package directions for 7 minutes in a large pot of salted water that had come to a boil over medium-high heat.

After 7 minutes, I drained the cooked macaroni noodles in a colander and transferred the pasta to a large bowl. I added the butter and cream cheese to the hot macaroni and stirred the mixture to melt the butter and cream cheese and coat the macaroni (Photo 1).

Then, I added the milk and egg and continued stirring to incorporate the milk and egg into the mixture evenly (Photo 2).

After that, I added the dry mustard, salt, freshly ground black pepper, and the cheddar and Fontina cheeses. I stirred the mixture to ensure everything was well mixed (Photos 3 and 4).

I used cooking spray to coat each muffin tin cup. Then, I added the macaroni mixture to my prepared muffin pan using a large ice cream scoop.

I topped the macaroni mixture with reserved cheddar cheese, Fontina cheese, and Panko bread crumbs, mixed with a tablespoon of olive oil. I could have used a tablespoon of vegetable oil or melted butter in place of the olive oil.

I baked the Make Ahead Muffin Tin Macaroni and Cheese Cups in a preheated 350°F oven for 35 minutes, until the tops were bubbly and golden brown and the macaroni was well set.

I let the macaroni cool for 10 minutes before transferringthe bites from the muffin tin to a wire rack.

I ended up with a dozen incredibly versatile Make-Ahead Muffin Tin Macaroni and Cheese Cups. They’re equally delicious, whether hot or cold. In addition, they can be easily refrigerated and reheated.

Best of all, they freeze beautifully, which is the Make-Ahead part and are readily available for your anytime feast. Yum!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I substitute different cheeses in this recipe?

Feel free to experiment with different cheeses in this recipe. For example, you could substitute mozzarella cheese or goat cheese for the Fontina cheese. You could also add some grated parmesan cheese to the panko bread crumbs for the topping.

How do I make these macaroni and cheese cups ahead of time?

Assemble the cups according to the recipe, cover them tightly with plastic wrap or foil, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When you’re ready to bake, preheat the oven to 350°F and bake the cups for 20-25 minutes or until heated through and bubbly.

Can the macaroni and cheese cups be frozen?

You can freeze macaroni and cheese cups. Assemble the cups according to the recipe, then cover them tightly with plastic wrap or foil and freeze for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to bake, thaw the cups in the refrigerator overnight, then bake them according to the recipe.

What is the best way to store leftover macaroni and cheese cups?

Leftover macaroni and cheese cups can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, microwave them on high for 1-2 minutes or until heated. You can also reheat them in the oven at 350°F for 10-15 minutes or until heated through and bubbly.

Why not make the homemade Mac n cheese with a traditional all-purpose flour cheese sauce?

A key to this recipe is ensuring that the Mac n cheese cups stay together after they have been baked. That’s why the addition of the egg is important. If a traditional cheese sauce is used, the cooked pasta might not stay together as well.

Recipe Tips and Tricks

Use good quality cheese. The cheese is the star of the show in macaroni and cheese, so it’s important to use a good quality cheese.

Don’t overcook the pasta. The pasta should be cooked al dente or slightly firm to the bite. This will help to prevent the pasta from becoming mushy in the oven.

Use a muffin tin that has been well-coated with a non-stick cooking spray. This will help to prevent the macaroni and cheese cups from sticking to the pan.

In addition to using Panko bread crumbs, you can top the macaroni and cheese cups with regular bread crumbs or crushed Ritz crackers mixed with some shredded Parmesan cheese. This will give the cups a nie golden brown crust.

For a mini mac but equally delicious recipe, you should try my . Or if you’re looking for more Mac & Cheese goodness, check out my Ultimate Make Ahead Macaroni and Cheese. For an easy mac recipe check out .

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