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.
Jalapeño Mac ‘n Cheese Bites
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
Instructions
- Make the Browned Butter Breadcrumbs and add 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt while they're toasting.
- Preheat the oven to 350˚F and thoroughly grease a mini muffin tin with butter or oil.
- Bring a large pot of well-salted water to a boil and add the macaroni. Cook until al dente, about 6 - 8 minutes. Drain and spill the cooked macaroni into a large bowl.
- Stir in the butter, all the cheeses EXCEPT 1/2 cup of the Cheddar cheese, yogurt, and all of the spices until the butter and cheeses melt. Stir in the egg and chopped jalapeño.
- Spoon into the prepared muffin tin almost to the top. Sprinkle about 1 teaspoon of cheddar cheese over each "muffin" and top with about 1 teaspoon of breadcrumbs.
- Bake for 30 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove from the oven and place the muffin in on a warming tray for 10 minutes while the "muffins" set up. Run a sharp knife around the edges and gently remove.
- These are best eaten slightly warm.
The Ninja Baker says
LOL Susan. Your analogy of skimming the surface is spot on. Smaller crowds work for me also…But I must say your scrumptious looking spicy mac ‘n cheeses would fit in for any size crowd!
Choc Chip Uru says
Adding a jalapeño kick to mac and cheese is certainly perfect 😀
Delicious!
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Renee says
I like smaller gatherings too. Then you get a chance to talk with everyone. I also very much like mac and cheese and your addition of jalapeño plus, oh heavens, browned butter breadcrumbs sounds incredible.
Liz says
Great party tips! And I’d love to nosh on your spicy mac and cheese bites…so please invite me to your next big bash 😉
Hezzi-D says
Yum! I want to get in the kitchen and make these now! We love mac n cheese and my husband is a jalapeno fanatic!
Dorothy at Shockingly Delicious says
Your description of large parties is spot-on! I agree with you, and am often frustrated by never finishing a conversation, with ANYONE! It’s like there are 25 unclosed loops!
Love your tray of mac n cheese. Would snitch a handful of those!
Shelby says
I’m all for the jalapeno heat in these little bites, and that browned butter crumb topping sounds amazing!
cheri says
Hi Susa, great idea, perfect appetizer. I enjoy smaller parties as well, it’s so much easier.
Rita says
LIKE the flavor profile in the bites, Susan. I developed a similar recipe for my Angostura bitters client, but made it in a baking pan. Here’s the link: http://getcookingsimply.com/eat-mac-cheese-with-your-fingers/
Bobbi's Kozy Kitchen says
Oh good gracious these sound AMAZING!!!
Jennifer Miller says
I’m drooling right now — I love the jalapeño twist!
Cathy says
Susan what an inventive idea to make individual servings and I love adding the jalapeño, too healthy with yogurt tho 🙂
Simply Gourmet says
These sound perfect!
Alice says
gosh I can think of so many places that I could bring these little poppers! 🙂 thanks for sharing! a great party idea!
Norma Chang says
I find as I mature (getting older) I prefer small, casual gatherings to larger ones. Great idea with the mac and cheese bites.
Shaina says
Ohhh I love that you used fontina cheese, so good! Mac and cheese with a little kick to it is never a bad idea.
Cindys Recipes and Writings says
I love different versions of mac and cheese! Awesome idea!
apuginthekitchen says
Smaller gatherings are so the way to go and the only way, at least for me to enjoy a party. I love your little individual mac and cheese bites and the extra kick of jalapeno is perfect.
Ala says
Awesome! I was JUST eyeing the girl’s mac ‘n cheese at the table next to mine at lunch, so you’ve totally hit it on the nail with this recipe. Love the social butterfly vibe and love this delicious bite-sized food!
Sarah says
TOTALLY hear you on the smaller group preference. I don’t play nice with hordes of 20 haha. These bites look delicious too, I wouldn’t mind popping a couple dozen!
Oui, Chef says
HA….such a funny AND tasty post! I’m with you, Susan, small parties are so much more enjoyable.
Pure Grace Farms says
I love these little spicy bites. The crunchy brown butter topping sounds perfect. Thanks for sharing at Foodie Friday’s this week.
Blessings,
Shari
Sid says
I’ve been having such great fun looking through all your recipes. And I had to comment on this. I host a party every month, I try to have people bring finger foods, but it never seems to work that way.
You asked what is the most important thing, mine is that I take one hour, for a shower and a nap the day of the party. So what if all the serving trays aren’t out and waiting, it’s much more important to be relaxed and rested. I never know how many people will show up at one of our parties, and it’s all good. And for any newbies, I point them in the direction of the wine glasses, tell them where I keep the serving utensils, and basically tell them to make themselves at home.
Then I skim through and have half conversations with just about everyone.
The Wimpy Vegetarian says
What a fabulous idea. I love the idea of taking that hour for yourself – and your relaxed style of entertaining! I have a couple of parties to put together for various friends to come over, and I’m completely on board for this. I agree that if guest see that you’re relaxed and having fun, they will too. But if you’re nervous about whether everything is just so, it puts everyone on edge. I’m so happy you’ve enjoyed my blog this month 🙂