Mac N’ Cheese Muffin Cups

These Mac N’Cheese Muffin Cups are simple to make and fun to eat! Tender elbow macaroni smothered in a creamy lightened up cheese sauce! These Mac N’ Cheese cups require only 15 minutes of prep time and make for an easy on the go snack or meal!

SOURCE : thepounddropper.com

PREP TIME15 minutes

COOK TIME25 minutes

ADDITIONAL TIME10 minutes

TOTAL TIME50 minutes

Ingredients

• 10 oz. pasta shells or elbows* see notes 
• 3 Tbsp light butter- I use Land o’ Lakes light butter made with canola oil  
• 1 tsp minced garlic  
• 1/2 tsp table salt 
• 1/8 tsp ground black pepper 
• 2 Tbsp all purpose flour 
• 1 cup skim milk-or milk of your choice. I like to use Fairlife milk which has more protein than traditional milk  
• 1 cup reduced fat cheddar cheese – I like to use reduced fat sharp cheddar. 

Instructions

1. Spray a 12 cup size muffin tin and set aside. Heat a pot of salted water over high heat on the stovetop to boil.
2. Preheat oven to 350° degrees. Cook the pasta, according to the package directions, or until al dente. 
3. While the pasta is cooking, melt light butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add salt, pepper, and flour and whisk until combined. 
4. Slowly whisk in the milk until smooth and heat until just boiling, then remove from the heat and stir in the cheddar cheese. You can add a bit more milk if you find the mixture too thick.
5. Once the pasta is done cooking, drain well, and gently stir into the cheese sauce.
6. Divide the pasta among the 12 muffin cups.
7. Bake for 25-28 minutes, or until the tops are just starting to brown. 
8. Let cool them completely before removing from the pan, about 10 minutes. You may need to loosen the cups with a butter knife before gently removing them from the pan.
9. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Makes 12 Mac n’ Cheese Cups 

4 WW Points® per serving if using Barilla Plus elbows
3 WW Points® per serving if using Fiber Gourmet light elbows

Notes

* Fiber Gourmet pasta is higher in protein, fiber and lower in points than traditional pasta. 

Smartpoints:GREEN/BLUE/PURPLE: 4 WW Points® per serving