Mac and Cheese Cups

These little cups are adorable. They’re tiny little packages of broccoli, noodles, and cheese that are sure to make your littlest of eaters happy.

Ok, so maybe it’s not a huge feat talking children into eating mac and cheese. However, they do have broccoli in them, and you could add any other kind of veggie you like. I’ve personally added: peas, small carrot bits, and minced fresh spinach in the past. These are an extra 12 minutes or so added on top of your mac and cheese cook time. So I definitely don’t make these every time we have M&C, but they’re fun little treats every now and then! It’s also a playful use for leftover M&C, but reduce your baking time from 9 minutes to about 5 or 6 so they don’t dry out.

I try not to guarantee things too often here, but I guarantee your kids will at least try these. Actually, if you find the kid that won’t even take a bite of these I’d love to hear from you… and maybe even see a picture of your little oddball!

Mac and Cheese Cups Recipe

Print recipe

• Print with all photos
• Print with main photo
• Print text only

Ingredients

• 1 box your favorite mac and cheese (or a delicious homemade version)
• 1 heaping cupful of small chopped broccoli
• 1/3 cup shredded cheddar cheese (plus more for topping the cups)
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1/4 cup milk

Directions

Step 1

These little cups will be as tasty as the mac and cheese you use. Feel free to make a creamy dreamy homemade version to use here. Maybe on a weekend sometime I'll try that. However these were made on a Monday night after I'd gotten up at 4:30 in the morning, worked an eight hour shift, shopped for our weekly groceries, and picked Wyatt up from his playgroup. I used a boxed mix.

Step 2

A tasty boxed mix, but powdered cheese nonetheless. Adding a heaping cup of fresh broccoli pieces brings a bit more fiber to the party!

Step 3

That's right. I just said fiber and party in the same sentence... there are no rules with mac and cheese cups! Anyway, cook the noodles according to the package directions. Add in the broccoli bits when there are four minutes left before draining.

Step 4

To make the cheese sauce, I melted 2 Tbs. of butter in a small saucepan.

Step 5

Then whisked in 1/4 cup milk and the envelope of cheese powder.

Step 6

Mmmmmm powdered cheese. At least it smooths out quickly.

Step 7

Add in 1/3 cup shredded cheddar cheese to make it all the more cheesy.

Step 8

I think we all know what comes next... the big mix up.

Step 9

Preheat your oven to 400 degrees, and spray a mini muffin pan with olive oil or Pam. Spoon each little muffin cup full of broccoli mac and cheese. Then give each little cup a press with the back of your cheesy spoon.

Step 10

Award everyone with another finger-full of cheddar.

Step 11

Bake in your hot oven for 9 minutes. Then broil for 1-2 more minutes. Now just let these little bad boys cool down a bit, and pop them out easily with the utensil of your choosing.

Step 12

Bam! Broccoli Mac and Cheese Cups!

Step 13

They may not look like much,

Step 14

but my three year old just saw the pictures I'm adding to this post and said, "Oh, I love those!"

Step 15

They're perfect for little hands, and I'm sure they'll be a hit with your little ones!

Step 16

Enjoy!