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    Home » Dinners

    January 9, 2022 Dinners

    Cheetos Mac and Cheese Muffin Cups

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    Looking for a fun and easy way to jazz up your mac and cheese? These homemade, creamy CHEETOS® Crunchy Cheese Flavored Snacks Mac and Cheese Cups are the perfect solution! They're simple to make, and kids of all ages will love them--even adults. Plus, they're perfect for parties or potlucks. Give them a try today!

    Cheetos macaroni and cheese Cups
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    Why I Love These

    1. Easy to Make
    2. Features my favorite salty snack
    3. Family friendly
    4. Perfect make ahead meal that can be warmed in the microwave
    5. Packs easily in my kids' lunchboxes

    I don't know about you, but I love a good dose of comfort "junk" food. And there's nothing more comforting than cheesy mac and cheese. These CHEETOS® Mac and Cheese Cups are the perfect bite-sized snack for when you're craving something delicious and naughty. But, on the plus side, they are good for portion control because we all know how easy it is to scoop that extra macaroni and cheese helping onto our plates.

    How to Make These

    Always start by gathering your ingredients, and preheating your oven. Now is also a good time to prepare your muffin pan with nonstick spray if it is not silicone.

    Cheetos Crunchy Snack and mac and cheese cups ingredients.

    Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil and add your macaroni. Cook for about 8-10 minutes or until al dente. You do not want to over-boil your noodles or they will be gummy.

    Cheetos Macaroni made in a stock pot.

    Remove pasta from heat and strain out excess water. Return pasta to the pan. Add the butter, milk, spices, cheeses, and egg. Mix until cheese is melted, and everything is evenly combined.

    Macaroni stuffed in a muffin tin.

    Using an ice cream scooper, fill coated muffin tins with macaroni and cheese.

    Cheetos in a large food processor.

    In a food processor, pulse CHEETOS® Crunchy Cheese Flavored Snacks until fine. Sprinkle on an even amount of crumbs over each muffin.

    Cheetos topped mac and cheese muffin cups.

    Bake cups for 25-30 minutes. Cups will be golden brown and feel formed to the touch.

    Macaroni Cups on a wooden platter.

    Allow cups to cool for at least 15 minutes before carefully popping them out & eating warm

    Recipe Tips

    These macaroni and cheese cups are pretty straight forward to make but with any recipe, there are some tips and tricks for the yummiest results.

    Cheese - For this recipe, I wholeheartedly recommend you shred your own cheese. There is nothing like freshly shredded cheese when it comes to macaroni and cheese. Prepackaged shreds contain anti-binding agents which interfere with their meltability. I used Mozzarella and Cheddar, but you can use Monterey jack, or Pepper Jack as well.

    Pasta - I used traditional elbow macaroni for these, but if you want to make them a wee bit more nutritious you can use whole wheat macaroni.

    Toppings - CHEETOS® Crunchy Cheese Flavored Snacks make these cups the BEST! They give a tasty flavor, but if you want alternative toppings, you follow this Mac and Cheese Cup recipe.

    Pan - I find these are best made in a silicone muffin pan. This makes it so easy to pop these out once they are baked. If you use a metal muffin tin, you will need nonstick spray and a plastic knife to help ease them out.

    Cooling Time - It is important to allow these cups to cool for 15 minutes because it allows them to form, and keep their shape without breaking apart.

    How to Store this Macaroni & Cheese

    These cups are mighty tasty right away, but let's face it--typically even the most scrumptious meals have leftovers. Once cooled, these store well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. They can be easily heated in the microwave.

    A hand grabbing Cheetos Crunchy Macaroni and Cheese Baked Cups.

    More Muffin Tin Lunch Ideas

    • Mac & Cheese Cupcakes
    • Crescent Dough Cheeseburger Cups
    • Crescent Roll Pizza Bites
    Cheetos macaroni and cheese Cups
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    5 from 1 vote

    CHEETOS® Mac & Cheese Cups

    These homemade, creamy CHEETOS® Crunchy Cheese Flavored Snacks Mac and Cheese Cups are the perfect solution! They're simple to make, and kids of all ages will love them--even adults.
    Prep Time 10 minutes
    Cook Time 30 minutes
    Total Time 40 minutes
    Course Dinner, Lunch
    Cuisine American
    Keyword cheese, macaroni
    Servings 12 cups
    Calories 260cal
    Author Muffin Tin Recipes
    Cost $6

    Equipment

    • 12-count silicone muffin tin
    • food processor
    • measuring cups & spoons
    • oven adjusted to the center rack position
    • 5-quart stockpot

    Ingredients

    • 2 cups elbow macaroni uncooked
    • 1½ cups mild cheddar shredded
    • 1½ cups mozzarella cheese shredded
    • 1 cup whole milk
    • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
    • 1 large egg beaten
    • ½ teaspoon dry mustard powder
    • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
    • ½ teaspoon onion powder
    • ¼ teaspoon  garlic powder
    • ½ teaspoon paprika
    • 1 cup CHEETOS® Crunchy Cheese Flavored Snacks 

    Instructions

    • Adjust the oven rack to the middle position. Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray your muffin tin with nonstick spray.
    • Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil and add your macaroni. Cook for about 8-10 minutes or until al dente. You do not want to over-boil your noodles or they will be gummy.
    • Remove pasta from heat and strain out excess water. Return pasta to the pan. Add the butter, milk, spices, cheeses, and egg. Mix until cheese is melted, and everything is evenly combined.
    • Using an ice cream scooper, fill coated muffin tins with macaroni and cheese.
    • In a food processor, pulse CHEETOS® Crunchy Cheese Flavored Snacks until fine. Sprinkle on an even amount of crumbs over each muffin.
    • Bake cups for 25-30 minutes. Cups will be golden brown and feel formed to the touch.
    • Allow cups to cool for at least 15 minutes before carefully popping them out & eating warm

    Notes

    Nutritional Values Do Vary and are Meant to be a Guide Only.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1cup | Calories: 260cal | Carbohydrates: 23g | Protein: 11g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 48mg | Sodium: 226mg | Potassium: 229mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 357IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 206mg | Iron: 1mg
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