Macaroni and Cheese Cups - A Spicy Mac and Cheese Appetizer Recipe! (2024)

Jalapeno Macaroni and Cheese Cups – Easy, cheesy, spicy, and creamy, these Macaroni and Cheese Cups are the perfect snack for your next tailgating party!

Macaroni and Cheese Cups - A Spicy Mac and Cheese Appetizer Recipe! (1)

I’m giving us a whole lotta flavorswith this one, buds! They are also dairy-free, meatless, but most of all, these mac ‘n cheese cups are made from scratch and are absolutely delicious! AND BONUS? You can’t mess up on the serving size.

Hi-YA, friends!! How the heck are you doing? Did you watch “The Voice” last night? All I could sing was, “Hold me closer, Adam and Blaaaaake…”. Serious.crush.
Also, do you even want to know how devastated I will be if that Jordan Smith doesn’t win?!? He was amazing. I forgot to even breathe during his performance. That boy can sing!

Macaroni and Cheese Cups - A Spicy Mac and Cheese Appetizer Recipe! (2)

I know you’re not here to discuss musical talents so we’ll just dive right into other, more important news, like Dinnizer! That’s, dinner + appetizer in ONE.
Too corny? Okay.

I made us individual macaroni and cheese cups! Withjalapenos, for kicks and giggles.

What has it been, like, 20 yearssince we last talked cheesy pasta? Too long. And okay, while this isn’t really anything ground breaking, it’s still pretty awesome,and I didn’t have to stand too long to make it.

Macaroni and Cheese Cups - A Spicy Mac and Cheese Appetizer Recipe! (3)

I don’t know about you, but I’mway tickledwhen it comes to game-day munchies. I could live on ’em. That’s why when Silk knocked on zee bloggy, I listened!

Theywere like, looky here, Diethood. Make us somethin’ meatless that we can munch on during Monday Night Football, m’kay!? And I was like, okay, yeah, how does buffalo chicken sound? And they were like, uhm, not meatless.
And I was like, OH okay, yeah.
True story. I’m a bit embarrassed, but this too shall pass…

Luckily for us, their wish led me to these adorably cheesy treats.

I have made something very similar countless times for the lil’ ladies in this house, but as soon as I started to serve these macaroni and cheese cups as appetizers at our get-togethers and game day parties, they became one of the more popular items to bring around. Quite the change from all the crock pot chicken recipes that I always bring with me…

Macaroni and Cheese Cups - A Spicy Mac and Cheese Appetizer Recipe! (4)

It’s hard to see with the naked eye, but this is actually on the side of healthy.
Check it. Silk Soymilk, Vegan Cheddar, Butter-Spread, Jalapenos, AND Elbow Macaroni.
That’s all folks! You’re only a few ingredients away from the best cheesy bite of ever.

Macaroni and Cheese Cups - A Spicy Mac and Cheese Appetizer Recipe! (5)

IF you’re looking for more meatless, plant-based recipes for your game-day parties, hop over to Silk because they have tons of good-for-you food. Silk is committed to changing the world by helping people discover the benefits of a plant-based diet, and if that’s of interest to you, I urge you to join the Meatless Monday Night pledge. While you’re there, enter their giveaway for the Ultimate Game Day Room Makeover!

ENJOY!

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Macaroni and Cheese Cups - A Spicy Mac and Cheese Appetizer Recipe! (6)

Jalapeno Macaroni and Cheese Cups (Dairy-Free, Vegan)

Katerina | Diethood

Easy, cheesy, spicy, and creamy, these Macaroni and Cheese Cups are the perfect snack for your next tailgating party! Everyone will gobble up these jalapeno mac and cheese bites within seconds!

5 from 5 votes

Rate this Recipe!

Servings : 10

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Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 40 minutes mins

Total Time 45 minutes mins

Ingredients

  • 2 cups dry elbow macaroni
  • 1 tablespoon vegan butter spread (I use Earth Balance)
  • 1 ½ cups shredded vegan cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup Silk Soymilk
  • 1 egg , beaten, (optional)*
  • 1 tablespoon ground mustard
  • salt and fresh ground pepper , to taste
  • 1/4 cup pickled jalapeno slices
  • panko crumbs
  • dried parsley
  • Extra Virgin Olive Oil Cooking Spray

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350F.

  • Grease a muffin tin with cooking spray and set aside.

  • Prepare macaroni per the directions on the box.

  • Remove macaroni from the heat, drain and return to the pan over medium heat.

  • Add butter spread, cheese, soymilk, egg, ground mustard, salt and pepper; mix and stir constantly until smooth, and cheese is melted.**

  • Remove from heat and stir in jalapeno slices.

  • Spoon macaroni mixture into the previously prepared muffin tin.

  • Sprinkle tops of macaroni with panko crumbs and dried parsley.

  • Spray tops of macaroni with cooking spray.

  • Bake for 32 to 35 minutes, or until browned.

  • Remove from oven and let stand in muffin tin for a few minutes to cool. This will also make it easier for them to hold their shape.

  • Serve.

Notes

The egg is used to hold the molds together, but I almost always make these without the eggs. Just give them a few minutes to cool and they should hold up without a problem.

*IF you decide to use the egg, please mix and stir continuously until cheese is melted. If you don't stir, the eggs will cook and you are going to end up with scrambled eggs in your mac 'n cheese. Normally, this step isn't done over heat as cheddar cheese will melt just from the hot macaroni, but because vegan cheese takes longer to melt, you will have to mix and stir above heat for a minute or two.

Nutrition

Calories: 148 kcal | Carbohydrates: 23 g | Protein: 5 g | Fat: 3 g | Saturated Fat: 0 g | Cholesterol: 16 mg | Sodium: 226 mg | Potassium: 114 mg | Fiber: 1 g | Sugar: 1 g | Vitamin A: 270 IU | Vitamin C: 0.8 mg | Calcium: 44 mg | Iron: 0.8 mg

Nutritional info is an estimate and provided as courtesy. Values may vary according to the ingredients and tools used. Please use your preferred nutritional calculator for more detailed info.

Course: Appetizer

Cuisine: American

Keyword: best game day appetizers, mac and cheese bites, mac and cheese cups, macaroni cups

Did you make this recipe?Leave a Rating!

Categories:

  • Appetizers
  • Dinner Recipes
  • Pasta
  • Recipes
  • Side Dishes
  • Snacks
  • Sponsored
  • Vegetarian

This conversation is sponsored by Silk. The opinions and text are all mine.

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    Macaroni and Cheese Cups - A Spicy Mac and Cheese Appetizer Recipe! (2024)

    FAQs

    What are the ingredients in mac and cheese cups? ›

    That's it, six ingredients! Pasta, butter, cheese, milk, flour, and paprika. So easy.

    How to make Kraft mac and cheese cups? ›

    Instructions
    1. Heat oven to 400ºF.
    2. Prepare Dinner as directed on package. Add egg; mix well.
    3. Spoon into 12 paper-lined muffin cups.
    4. Bake 15 min. Let stand 5 min. before serving.

    How to make two mac and cheese cups at once? ›

    Instructions for two servings:
    1. Pour 2 macaroni pouches into 1-quart microwaveable bowl.
    2. Add 1 cup of water.
    3. Microwave on high 4 ½ to 5 minutes.
    4. Add 2 sauce pouches.
    5. Mix well.

    How to spice up macaroni and cheese? ›

    8 Ways to Elevate Your Macaroni and Cheese Dinners
    1. Add extra cheese to your dish.
    2. Mix in some hot sauce and chicken to make buffalo chicken mac n' cheese.
    3. Add in vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower and spinach.
    4. Sprinkle some bacon bits or breadcrumbs on the top of your dish.
    5. Add spices and fresh herbs to your dish.
    May 21, 2022

    How to spice up cup mac and cheese? ›

    Sprinkle in some spices or sauces

    A little kick can go a long way. Choose your own zesty adventure by adding a pinch of cayenne pepper, dry mustard powder, garlic powder, mushroom powder, or even a dash of hot sauce.

    Can you make mac and cheese cups with milk instead of water? ›

    A: yes. Just like hot cocoa packets suggest using water, but using milk or half & half makes it much more creamy.

    How to make Annie's mac and cheese cups? ›

    Prepare mac & cheese according to package directions, then stir in 1/2 cup of the shredded cheese. Divide mixture evenly among muffin cups (about 1/3 cup each). Top with remaining 1/2 cup shredded cheese. Bake 7 to 9 minutes or until cheese is melted.

    Do you have to add milk and butter to Kraft Mac and cheese? ›

    The box instructions will most likely call for both milk and butter, but, as it turns out, the milk is unnecessary — as long as you add enough butter, of course.

    How to keep mac and cheese cups from boiling over? ›

    We recommend stirring the water/pasta mixture before putting it into the microwave. There is anti-foam in each cup to prevent boil over but it needs to get stirred properly in the cup to function.

    How many cups does 2 cups of macaroni make? ›

    For example, you decide to make mac and cheese. Your obvious choice would be elbow-shaped pasta. So, if you have two cups of dried elbow pasta, you will get 4 and a half cups of cooked pasta.

    Can you add more cheese to already baked mac and cheese? ›

    Tip: For extra flavor or chrunch, add some grated cheese, jalapenos, bread crumbs, or bacon pieces on top and return to the oven uncovered until cheese is melted or bread crumbs are browned.

    What to add to a box of mac and cheese to make it better? ›

    How to Make Boxed Mac and Cheese Taste Better. To improve the tang and overall cheesiness of your boxed mac, add 2 to 3 tablespoons of plain Greek yogurt to the cooked and drained pasta while it's still warm. Toss to combine, then stir in the cheese powder until it's uniformly blended.

    How to make mac and cheese Gordon Ramsay? ›

    In a large pot over medium heat, combine the pasta and milk. Bring the milk to a simmer and cook until the pasta is tender, 8–10 minutes. Once the pasta is cooked, remove the pan from the heat and add the butter, cheddar cheese, salt, and pepper. Stir until fully combined.

    What meat to put in mac and cheese? ›

    1 to 2 cups cooked cubed (or shredded) chicken, ham, pork, or beef. 1/2 to 1 pound sautéed and drained ground beef, pork, turkey or chicken (you could also add in 1 tablespoon chili powder as you sauté the meat for a more chili-like vibe).

    What are the ingredients in Annies mac and cheese cups? ›

    Organic Pasta (organic wheat flour, organic whole grain wheat flour), Dried Cheddar Cheese (cultured pasteurized milk, salt, non-animal enzymes), Tapioca Starch, Corn Starch, Butter (pasteurized cream, salt), Nonfat Milk, Salt, Coconut Oil, Whey, Organic Coconut Oil, Potassium Chloride, Sunflower Lecithin, Cultured ...

    What is mac and cheese made of? ›

    Macaroni and cheese can be made by simply layering slices of cheese and pasta (often with butter or evaporated milk) then baking in a casserole, rather than preparing as a cheese sauce.

    What is cup cheese made of? ›

    Cup cheese is a type of soft, spreadable cheese. It is made by mixing grated cheese with a liquid, such as milk or whey, melting everything down, then allowing the cheese to congeal in a covered container for several days. In PA Dutch, cup cheese is known as "shmear käs," for its softness.

    What are the ingredients in mac and cheese packets? ›

    PASTA (ENRICHED WHEAT FLOUR [WHEAT FLOUR, NIACIN, IRON (FERROUS SULFATE), THIAMIN MONONITRATE, RIBOFLAVIN, FOLIC ACID], WHOLE WHEAT FLOUR, GLYCEROL MONOSTEARATE), CHEESE SAUCE MIX (WHEY, CORN SYRUP SOLIDS, MILK, MILKFAT, PALM OIL, MODIFIED FOOD STARCH, SALT, MILK PROTEIN CONCENTRATE, MALTODEXTRIN, CONTAINS LESS THAN 2% ...

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