Appetizer Recipes

Fried Mac and Cheese Balls

These Fried Mac and Cheese Balls make the perfect appetizer, whether you’re entertaining a large crowd or having a more intimate gathering. While this recipe includes two major steps, making the macaroni and cheese and then making the fried macaroni balls, the results are totally worth the upfront effort. We know you’ll love this delicious twist on everyone’s favorite comfort food!

Fried Mac and Cheese Balls

Yield: 16 servings; 2 balls each

Ingredients

Macaroni and Cheese

  • 2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni
  • 3 tablespoons Cabot Salted Butter
  • 1 tablespoon garlic, minced
  • 3 tablespoons King Arthur All-Purpose Flour
  • 1 1/2 cups milk
  • 16 ounces Cabot Seriously Sharp Cheddar, shredded (about 4 cups)
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Fried Macaroni Balls

  • 2 eggs
  • 1 cup garlic and herb breadcrumbs
  • 1 1/2 quarts canola oil
  • 1/4 cup buffalo sauce
  • Blue cheese or Ranch dressing for dipping

Instructions

Macaroni and Cheese

  1. Boil the uncooked pasta in salted water until tender. Drain and set aside.
  2. Melt the butter and whisk in the garlic, in a large pot over medium heat, stirring until fragrant. Add the flour to the butter mixture and whisk until smooth, about 1 minute.
  3. Pour the milk into the pot, while whisking continuously until the mixture is smooth and thickened slightly. Add the cheese and stir until smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  4. Pour the cooked noodles into the pot and stir to coat. Transfer the mixture to a 7” x 11” (or similar size) casserole dish and let cool to room temperature. Cover dish and place in the fridge to cool completely, about 1 to 2 hours.

Fried Macaroni Balls

  1. Heat the canola oil in a large, heavy bottom pot or in a fryer to 375 degrees F.
  2. Whisk the eggs in a shallow bowl and set aside. Pour the breadcrumbs in another shallow dish and set beside the eggs.
  3. Scoop about 2 tablespoons worth of cold macaroni and cheese from the dish and using your hands form into a tight ball. Roll the ball in the eggs, coating the macaroni. Transfer the ball to the breadcrumbs and roll around until coated completely. Place ball on a foil lined baking sheet, repeating with the remaining macaroni until all of the balls are ready to be fried.
  4. Place the balls, up to 3 at a time, into the hot oil and cook until golden brown (about 1 to 2 minutes) then transfer to a towel-lined plate.
  5. Drizzle the fried macaroni balls with the buffalo sauce and dip into the blue cheese or ranch dressing.

Attribution

Recipe and photo used with permission from: Cabot Creamery Cooperative



God's Rainbow - Noahic Covenant