Mac And Cheese Recipe
Fried mac and cheese balls.
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Ingredients
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Pasta and Cheese Mixture
Breading Mixture
Frying
Method
Cooking the Pasta
- 1
Boil the Elbow Macaroni
In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil. Add 1 cup of elbow macaroni and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
Making the Cheese Sauce
- 2
Prepare the Cheese Sauce
In a medium saucepan, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Stir in 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour, whisking constantly for about 1 minute until it forms a paste (roux). Gradually whisk in 1 cup of milk and continue whisking until the mixture thickens. Add 2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese, 0.5 teaspoon of salt, 0.25 teaspoon of black pepper, and 0.25 teaspoon of paprika, stirring until the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth.
Combining Pasta and Cheese
- 3
Combine and Cool
Add the drained elbow macaroni to the cheese sauce, stirring well to combine. Spread the mixture onto a baking sheet and let it cool in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour.
Preparing the Breading
- 4
Prepare Breading Setup
In a shallow bowl, whisk together 2 eggs. In another bowl, combine 1 cup of bread crumbs and 0.5 cup of grated Parmesan cheese. Set aside.
Forming and Frying Balls
- 5
Form the Balls
Once the mac and cheese mixture is firm, scoop out a tablespoon of the mixture and roll it into a ball. Repeat with the remaining mixture.
- 6
Bread the Balls
Dip each mac and cheese ball into the egg mixture, then roll it in the bread crumb and Parmesan mixture until well coated.
- 7
Heat Oil and Fry
In a large pot or deep fryer, heat 3 cups of vegetable oil to 350°F (175°C). Carefully add the breaded mac and cheese balls in batches, frying until golden brown, about 3-4 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.
Serving
- 8
Serve Hot
Serve the fried mac and cheese balls warm, optionally with a dipping sauce of your choice.