Description
These Easy Mac & Cheese Balls are a delightful twist on the classic mac and cheese, with a crunchy exterior and a gooey, cheesy center. Perfect for parties or as a fun snack, these crispy orbs of comfort food are sure to impress your guests.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Cheese Sauce:
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 tablespoons flour
- 12 oz. evaporated milk
- 1 1/2 cups whole milk
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard, divided
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
Mac & Cheese Balls:
- 1 lb. elbow macaroni, cooked
- 1 lb. cheddar cheese, grated
- 8 oz. Monterrey jack cheese, grated
- 7 oz. bag kettle cooked potato chips, finely crushed
- 3 eggs, beaten
- Fresh mozzarella cheese, for stuffing (optional)
Instructions
- Cheese Sauce: In a pot over medium-high heat, melt butter, add flour, and toast for 1 minute. Whisk in evaporated milk, whole milk, and heavy cream. Season with 1 tablespoon Dijon, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Fold in cheddar cheeses until smooth.
- Mac & Cheese Balls: Mix macaroni with cheese sauce, chill, then form into balls, stuffing each with mozzarella. Dredge in egg mixture, coat with potato chip crumbs. Fry in batches at 350°F until golden, about 2-4 minutes.
Notes
- For a twist, try adding crispy bacon bits to the mac and cheese mixture.
- These mac & cheese balls can be frozen before frying for easy party prep.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 ball
- Calories: 200
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 350mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 8g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
