Mac N Cheese Cups Recipe

School is just around the corner and if you’re anything like myself, you know you need to think ahead as the routines change to keep ahead of the game. I have 2 weeks left to get my act in order! School shopping is happening, dusting off the kids closed-toed indoor shoes and bedtimes are getting earlier in hopes that some kind of routine will be established before the night before school arrives.

With this preparation comes meal planning because there is nothing like trying to pack lunches or come up with delicious after school snacks when you’re not prepared. I am baking healthy treats and coming up with fantastic freezer options to have on hand before the PANIC of a hungry child occurs.

One of the staples which can always be found in our home is cheese! This is a go-to for me and for my children, we LOVE a fine cheese and the older or sharper the better. One sharp cheese I really like using is Ivanhoe Old  Sharp cheese. It has a stronger flavour which is simply lovely and complements anything you pair with it from cucumbers to pasta. One very cool thing about Ivanhoe Old Sharp is when you bring it to room temperature it’s easily spreadable and blends well for dips or sauces.

Ivanhoe Cheese began as a small dairy cooperative in Ivanhoe, Ontario. For over a century they specialized in artisan aged cheddar then in 1986 Ivanhoe Cheese became a private company and began manufacturing a variety of speciality cheeses. In 2008 they joined forces with Gay Lea Foods and bring forward some of the most beautiful cheeses I’ve had the pleasure to try.

Today I decided to use Ivanhoe Old Sharp to make a kids favourite, Mac N Cheese Cups. This is a simple recipe which takes very little time and is freezer-friendly.

Mac N Cheese Cups

Makes 24 cups

INGREDIENTS

• 1 box of macaroni noodles
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1-1/2 cups whole milk
• 2 cups shredded Ivanhoe Old Sharp cheese (at room temperature)
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 large egg
• 200 grams of ham, shredded
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Nonstick spray

PREPARATION:

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and add in the macaroni and cook for approximately 8 minutes until its al dente (still a bit firm). Drain, return to the pot and set aside for the moment.
3. In another pot melt the butter and begin to whisk in the flour. Continue whisking while adding in the milk then add in the cheeses and continue whisking and for another 5 minutes.
4. Remove from the heat and add in the egg and stir vigorously.
5. Pour the cheese sauce onto the cooked macaroni and combine. Add in shredded ham and stir well. At this point you may want to pour some into a bowl and enjoy a taste test because it’s just plain delicious!
6. Spray your cupcake tins with the nonstick spray and fill each cup with the mac ‘n cheese mixture.
7. Place in the preheated oven for 20 minutes or until the tops are browned lightly.
8. Allow to rest for 5 minutes before removing.

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5.0 from 6 reviews

Mac 'n Cheese Cups Recipe #GayLeaFoods

Serves: 12

Prep time:  15 mins

Cook time:  20 mins

Total time:  35 mins

Ingredients

• 1 box of macaroni noodles
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1-1/2 cups whole milk
• 2 cups shredded Ivanhoe Old Sharp cheese (at room temperature)
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 large egg
• 200 grams of ham, shredded
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Nonstick spray

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and add in the macaroni and cook for approximately 8 minutes until its al dente (still a bit firm). Drain, return to the pot and set aside for the moment.
3. In another pot melt the butter and begin to whisk in the flour. Continue whisking while adding in the milk then add in the cheeses and continue whisking and for another 5 minutes.
4. Remove from the heat and add in the egg and stir vigorously.
5. Pour the cheese sauce onto the cooked macaroni and combine. Add in shredded ham and stir well.
6. Spray your cupcake tins with the nonstick spray and fill each cup with the mac 'n cheese mixture. Place in the preheated oven for 20 minutes or until the tops are browned lightly.
7. Allow to rest for 5 minutes before removing.

3.2.1311

Disclosure: I am part of the Gay Lea Ambassador Program with Mom Central Canada and I receive special perks as part of my affiliation with this group. The opinions on this blog are my own.