Description
Mini Meatball Mac and Cheese is a comforting and family-friendly dish combining creamy, cheesy elbow macaroni with perfectly seasoned mini meatballs. This recipe offers a warm, satisfying flavor with tender meatballs, rich cheddar cheese sauce, and a crispy breadcrumb topping when baked. Easy to prepare and customizable, it is perfect for busy weeknights, meal prep, or a cozy weekend meal, guaranteed to delight both kids and adults.
Ingredients
Pasta
- Elbow macaroni – 12 oz (about 3 cups)
Meatballs
- Ground beef or turkey – 1 lb
- Garlic, finely chopped – 2 cloves
- Fresh or dried herbs (such as parsley, oregano) – 1 tsp
- Salt – 1 tsp
- Black pepper – ½ tsp
Cheese Sauce
- Butter – 3 tbsp
- All-purpose flour – 3 tbsp
- Milk or cream – 2 ½ cups
- Shredded sharp cheddar cheese – 2 cups
- Salt – to taste
- Black pepper – to taste
Topping (Optional for baking)
- Breadcrumbs – ½ cup
Instructions
- Prepare the mini meatballs: Combine ground beef or turkey with finely chopped garlic, herbs, salt, and pepper. Form into small bite-sized balls and either bake at 400°F (205°C) for 12-15 minutes or pan-fry them over medium heat until golden and fully cooked.
- Cook the macaroni: Boil elbow macaroni according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside, keeping warm.
- Make the cheese sauce: In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour to form a roux and cook for about 1-2 minutes. Slowly add milk or cream, stirring constantly until the sauce thickens. Remove from heat and stir in shredded sharp cheddar cheese until fully melted and smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Combine pasta, cheese, and meatballs: Mix the cooked macaroni and mini meatballs into the cheese sauce, ensuring everything is evenly coated. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of reserved pasta water to reach desired creaminess.
- Optional baking step: Transfer the mixture to a baking dish, sprinkle with breadcrumbs, and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 15-20 minutes until bubbly and golden on top.
Notes
- Use sharp cheddar for stronger cheesy flavor and better melting.
- Cook pasta to al dente, as it will cook further in baking or mixing.
- Make mini meatballs small to ensure even cooking and easy blending with pasta.
- Reserve some pasta water to adjust sauce consistency if needed.
- Use freshly grated cheese for smoother melting and better texture.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking, Pan-frying, Boiling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 500 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg