Description
Indulge in the crispy delight of Fried Mac and Cheese Balls with Creamy Tomato Sauce, a perfect blend of comfort and flavor that’s sure to impress at any gathering. These bite-sized treats feature a crunchy panko coating enveloping a rich, cheesy filling made from elbow macaroni and cheddar cheese. Served alongside a vibrant creamy tomato sauce, this dish is an ideal appetizer or snack for game day, parties, or cozy family dinners. Easy to prepare and highly customizable, you can enjoy these mac and cheese bites with various dipping sauces or toppings. Treat yourself and your guests to this irresistible culinary creation!
Ingredients
- 1 cup elbow macaroni
- 1 cup milk
- 1/2 cup grated cheddar cheese
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1 tablespoon flour
- 1 egg, beaten
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup panko bread crumbs
- 1 can diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook macaroni according to package directions; drain.
- In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat; whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute.
- Gradually add milk until thickened; stir in cheese until melted.
- Mix macaroni into the cheese sauce; cool slightly before shaping into balls.
- Bread each ball by dipping in egg mixture followed by all-purpose flour.
- Heat oil in a deep skillet to 350°F (175°C); fry balls until golden brown (about 2-3 minutes per side).
- For the sauce, combine diced tomatoes, tomato paste, garlic, oregano in another saucepan; simmer for 5-7 minutes.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3 fried mac and cheese balls (90g)
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 480mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 9g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
Keywords: Chill formed balls for at least 30 minutes before frying to maintain shape. Experiment with different cheeses like mozzarella or pepper jack for unique flavors. To bake instead of fry, preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and bake for about 20-25 minutes until golden.