Description
These Muffin Pan Mac ‘n’ Cheese Cups are creamy, cheesy, and perfectly portioned for lunches, snacks, or parties. Each cup combines tender pasta, rich cheese sauce, and savory chicken, baked until golden and just firm enough to hold their shape.
Ingredients
230 g (2 1/2 cups) dried casarecce pasta
50 g butter
2 tbsp plain flour
375 ml (1 1/2 cups) reduced-fat milk
70 g (2/3 cup) reduced-fat pre-grated pizza cheese
100 g finely chopped cooked chicken
2 green shallots, chopped, plus extra to serve
Instructions
- Cook the pasta in a large saucepan of salted boiling water according to packet directions until al dente. Drain well and transfer to a large bowl.
- Melt the butter in a frying pan over medium-high heat until foamy. Add the flour and cook, stirring, for 1–2 minutes until bubbling. Remove from heat and gradually stir in the milk until smooth. Return to heat and cook, stirring, until the mixture boils and thickens.
- Add half the cheese to the sauce and stir until melted and creamy. Pour the sauce over the pasta and mix well.
- Preheat the oven to 200°C (180°C fan-forced). Line a 12-hole, 80 ml (1/3 cup) muffin pan with paper cases.
- Add the chicken and shallots to the pasta mixture, season with salt and pepper, and stir to combine. Divide evenly among muffin cases, pressing gently with the back of a spoon.
- Sprinkle the remaining cheese over the top of each cup.
- Bake for 15–20 minutes, or until golden and just firm. Cool for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack. Serve warm or cold, topped with extra shallots.
Notes
Add vegetables like peas, corn, or broccoli for extra nutrition.
Use cheddar and parmesan for a stronger cheese flavor.
For a vegetarian version, omit the chicken and add mushrooms or capsicum.
Top with breadcrumbs or extra parmesan before baking for a crispy crust.
Freeze for up to 3 months and reheat in the oven or air fryer.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Australian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 160
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 160 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 17 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 8 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg
