Mini Macaroni and Cheese Cupcakes

By miss5elements

Ingredients

• 8 oz elbow macaroni
• 4 T unsalted butter, divided in half
• 1/2 c panko or bread crumbs
• 1/2 c Parmesan, grated
• 2 T all-purpose flour
• 1.5 c milk
• 1 c cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1 large egg yolk
• 1/4 t smoked Spanish paprika
• 1/4 t cayenne pepper
• 1/2 t salt
• Sweet paprika as garnish

Preparation

Step 1

1. Heat oven to 425F.
2. Spray mini muffin tins w/cooking spray.
3. Cook macaroni about 5 min. in large pan of boiling salt water. Drain.
4. Melt 2T of butter. Stir in bread crumbs & Parmesan.
5. Place teaspoon of the bread crumb mixture at bottom of each muffin cup.
6. In a large saucepan, melt remaining butter.
7. Whisk in flour over heat for 2 min. Whisk in milk. Stir until thickened.
8. Whisk in cheddar until melted.
9. Remove from heat & slowly add yolk while whisking.
10. Add Spanish paprika, cayenne & salt.
11. Stir in macaroni. Spoon tablespoons of macaroni mixture into muffin cups.
12. Sprinkle remaining breadcrumb mixture on top.
13. Bake until golden, ~10 min.
14. Let cool for 5 min. Dust w/sweet paprika.