Food Recipes Pimento Mac and Cheese Bites 2.9 (109) By Heather Meldrom Heather Meldrom Heather is a food stylist, recipe developer, and writer with over three decades of experience in print and digital publications. Highlights: * Worked in front and back of restaurants for a decade * Began her editorial career as a senior food editor at Martha Stewart Living * Went freelance in 2012 and her work has appeared in Cooking Light, People Magazine, Fitness Magazine, Better Homes and Gardens Magazine, Everyday with Rachael Ray, and Food & Wine Real Simple's Editorial Guidelines Published on December 21, 2015 Print Share Share Tweet Pin Email These pimento-flecked mac and cheese bites combine two comfort food favorites in one tiny package. Sharp cheddar cheese lends the mixture a rich, bold flavor, but if you’d like to add an even more “grown-up” edge, try swapping smoked Spanish paprika (pimenton) for the cayenne. Get the recipe:Pimento Mac and Cheese Bites. Photo: Heather Meldrom Hands On Time: 30 mins Total Time: 45 mins Yield: 36 Ingredients ½ pound elbow macaroni 2 tablespoons butter 2 tablespoons flour ¾ cup whole milk 3 ounces cream cheese, room temperature 2 tablespoons mayonnaise 4 teaspoons spicy brown mustard 2 teaspoons Tabasco or other hot sauce ¾ teaspoon cayenne pepper 1 large egg, lightly beaten 2 cups finely shredded sharp cheddar cheese ½ cup fine bread crumbs ½ cup diced, drained jarred pimentos Directions Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, add the macaroni, and cook according to package instructions. Drain well and set aside. Meanwhile, melt the butter in a small pot over medium heat. Add the flour and cook, whisking constantly, about 2 minutes. Add the milk and cook, whisking constantly, until the mixture has thickened, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool slightly. Combine the cream cheese, mayonnaise, mustard, hot sauce and cayenne in a large bowl and stir until smooth. Add the cooled flour mixture and egg and stir to combine. Add the cheddar cheese, bread crumbs, and pimentos and stir to combine. Add the reserved pasta and stir until completely coated. Heat oven to 375°. Spoon heaping mounds of the macaroni mixture into the cups of 1 ½ mini muffin tins (about 36 cavities), pressing down lightly so that they are well-packed and resemble little muffins. Bake until bubbling and deep golden brown at the edges, about 10 minutes. Let cool in pan 5 minutes, then use a knife or skewer to lift each bite from the pan. Serve warm. Print