Jalapeño Mac ‘n Cheese Bites

Name: Jalapeño Mac ‘n Cheese Bites
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 60 min
Ingredients: 2 cups uncooked small elbow macaroni; 1 Tbsp unsalted butter; 2 cups shredded sharp Cheddar cheese; 1 cup Fontina cheese; 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese; 3/4 cup plain yogurt (I use 2% Fage yogurt); 1/2 tsp Hungarian paprika; 1/2 tsp kosher salt (to taste); 1/2 tsp garlic powder (to taste); 1/2 tsp onion powder (to taste); 1/4 tsp ground black pepper; 1 large egg (beaten); 1 Tbsp chopped pickled jalapeño slices; 1/2 cup Browned Butter Breadcrumbs; 1/4 tsp kosher salt

August 30, 2014 24 Comments

Creamy jalapeño mac ‘n cheese bites with yogurt in place of milk. Perfect for a casual party.

Confession. I prefer intimate (small), casual gatherings to larger ones. Don't get me wrong. Both are fun. But it's a completely different social experience. Larger parties keep me skimming on the surface of life, like a flat stone skipping across a pond as I bounce from one group to another, never finishing a conversation.

“We just got back from Alaska! It was AMAZING!”

“Did you make it up to Denali?”

“Yes, we -”

“Oh my gosh! SU-san!! It's GREAT to SEE you! I haven't seen you since you started your kitchen remodel. How did it go?”

“Really well!! We'd recommend our -”

“Where are the wine glasses, honey? We need a couple more. Ina and Steve just arrived!”

“Oh GREAT! Where are they? There are more glasses in the pantry. No, no, honey not there. Oh, I'll just get them myself!”

“Really yummy dip! Is it on your blog? Remind me the name of your blog?”

“Um, thanks!”, pulling a step stool to the pantry and climbing on it to reach wine glasses waaaaay at the back, just out of my reach. “It's The Wimpy -”

“Susan, how's TAHOE? I saw the photo of the bears you posted on Facebook! OMG, weren't you SCARED?”

Ai-yi-yi. I've learned the hard way that the only way to enjoy hosting a larger party is to plan, plan, plan, so that THROWING the party doesn't interfere with ENJOYING the party.

Line up plenty of wine glasses on a table dedicated to beverages, along with wines, waters, beer, and whatever else you're serving. Have at least one bottle of red and one of white already opened, and have a cork screw nearby.

If you're doing anything more than reheating something you've already cooked, have it completely prepped in individual bowls, ready to go.

Have all serving dishes and spoons you'll use pulled out and waiting.

Start the party with a completely empty dishwasher.

And best of all, serve party trays that can be prepared en mass, or even better, the day before. Having party trays at your disposal for appetizers, side dishes or desserts is like finding the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.

What's your favorite party tip for large gatherings??

These Mac ‘n Cheese Bites are great for almost any gathering, but nix the jalapeños for the kids.

Wimpy Tip:

These Mac ‘n Cheese Bites would be awesome with some bacon lardons mixed in.

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