Around here, we’re all about comfort food, and if you aren’t aware that macaroni and cheese is synonymous with comfort food… well, let me educate you.
Macaroni and cheese equals all that is good in this world. It’s a hug in a bowl, a bit of solace after a long day, and always easy and quick to prepare for even the most inexperienced cook. But there’s no better way to dress it up – or sneak in a good serving of veggies – than by topping it with a colorful, delicious medley of roasted broccoli and plump tomatoes!
These are so ridiculously easy, you won’t even believe it. And the quicker you can have this out of the oven and into your mouth, the better. Am I right?
Just boil some pasta – use whatever you like, but I’m an elbows devotee – then toss it with some Cheddar cheese, salt and pepper. No need to make a sauce. Press the mixture into your muffin pan molds, top with cut-up broccoli and tomatoes, and a little sprinkle of breadcrumbs, and voila! A quick snack for yourself or kids, an elegant party appetizer, or a simple yet stunning side dish.
You can also use small-diced asparagus, zucchini, carrots, peas, bell peppers, squash or any vegetable you like. Also, make these ahead of time for a party and refrigerate up to two days. Pop them in the oven again for 10 minutes, and they’ll be toasty warm and ready for serving!
I know you’ll enjoy making these and gobbling them up just as much as I did, so give them a try for yourself. Your comfort food craving tummy will thank you!
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Roasted Vegetable Macaroni & Cheese Cups
Yield: Makes 6 cups
Ingredients:
Nonstick cooking spray
1/2 cup dried bread crumbs (I used panko)
6 ounces small pasta, such as shells or elbows
1 cup grated Cheddar cheese
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup quartered cherry tomatoes or small diced plum/Roma tomatoes
1/2 cup chopped broccoli, blanched*
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
Spray 6 cups of a 12-cup muffin pan with cooking spray. Coat inside of each muffin cup with bread crumbs, reserving any excess.
Bring a medium pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook until al dente, stirring, 8- 10 minutes. Drain pasta, add back to pot, and stir in Cheddar cheese. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Spoon pasta mixture into muffin cups, filling almost to the top and pressing gently to set. Top each cup with tomato and broccoli. Sprinkle a pinch of remaining bread crumbs on each.
Bake until golden brown, about 15 minutes. Let cool for at least 5 minutes and carefully unmold with a butter knife.
Enjoy!
* Tip: To blanch vegetables, bring a saucepan of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the vegetables and cook for 1-2 minutes. Using a small strainer, remove the vegetables and immediately plunge into a bowl of iced water. Drain and use.
Adapted from Giada De Laurentiis
Chung-Ah | Damn Delicious says
These are adorable! And they’re so pretty to look at.
I can’t wait to host my next dinner party because these will definitely be on the table.
Thanks for sharing! :)
Sawsan@chef in disguise says
Hello Georgia, I love the idea of adding veges to Macatoni and cheese. This sounds like something the kids will love!
warmvanillasugar.com says
This looks lovely! Can’t wait to try!!
Sandra says
Sending you a big High 5 for this one, fantastic idea!
thecompletecookbook says
Oh this is just brilliant – genius! Why have I never thought of making individual mac’s ‘n cheese before and I love everything individual! Lovely recipe and such a pretty result too.
:-) Mandy
Julie @ Table for Two says
I love that you combined the comfort of macaroni and cheese with veggies into a cute little cup! I totally would eat these up. Cute, miniaturized food is always more pleasing for some reason :)
SallyBR says
Absolutely loved the idea of making those in muffin tins – adorable indeed, and a great way to do portion control (as long as I don’t allow myself to wolf down 12 of them.. ;-)
I also like mac and cheese with veggies in it, sometimes the pure version feels a bit too “monochromatic” as far as taste is concerned
great post!
Laura says
What a fun idea! Going to try this for sure.
mireia badia says
Lovely pictures and this looks fantastic!! Thanks so much for sharing, I love mac and cheese and I love vegetables so I can totally see this happening!
Cassie/Bake Your Day says
This is so fun, Georgia! I love individual-sized anything. The roasted veggies sound perfect!
Sally @ sally's baking addiction says
so adorable! single serving, bite sized foods are always a great idea. especially for mac n cheese!
Cassie says
Oh man. This looks SO GOOD!
Bam's Kitchen says
What a great idea to sneak some extra veggies into the teenagers!
Kelly | Eat Yourself Skinny says
These look fantastic! I love the added veggies :) I tried to make mac and cheese cups over the Super Bowl and they wouldn’t stay together :( I like how you used bread crumbs in the pan!
Valerie @ From Valerie's Kitchen says
These are so cute and what a great idea! My kids will eat anything surrounded by mac and cheese :)
Ashley @ Kitchen Meets Girl says
Gorgeous! I’ve got a picky 4-year old, but he LOVES mac and cheese, so this looks like a great way to get in some added veggies. Um, I’ll be eating them, too! =)
Suzi says
These are just fantastic. Such a clever idea and roasting the vegetables on top as it bakes really works for me. I love this.
Pam says
These would be a big hit in my house. Love it!
Candy says
These look great and a wonderful way to sneak in some veggies!
Tina says
I am always on the hunt for more savory as well as healthier appetizers! Looks like I landed in the right place. Perfect for a snack or for entertaining. Love the vibrant colors and the individual servings. Saving this one-great post!
Val says
I’ll take 20, please. I love the addition of veggies.
Anne@FromMySweetHeart says
Georgia! This looks fabulous! I agree with you. To me…mac and cheese is one of the ultimate comfort foods! But I’m happy to sneak in a few veggies, too! I love how these cups get all crunchy brown on the top. And better yet…they are little portable cups of comfort! Definitely have this bookmarked! Hope you have a great week! : )
Nicole@HeatOvenTo350 says
I love the colorful veggies on it. What a great kid’s meal!
Nami | Just One Cookbook says
I didn’t grow up eating mac & cheese so I actually tried it in recent years as my kids love to eat. There are even fancy mac & cheese specialty restaurants in Bay Area too. I love your idea – this is wonderful food for kids play date and parties. I’m definitely trying this recipe!
Shawnda says
Love the individual mac & cheeses – looks like such a fun idea!
sarah k @ the pajama chef says
these are so cute! love it!
Audra says
These are so darn clever Georiga! What a perfect idea for a party spread!
kankana says
I love tiny food and I love pasta. SO you can imagine how cute I find these :)
Carrie says
Oh these look fab. Did I just see them on Foodgawker? I think I just hit <3 on them. YUM
Emily says
Oh yummy, I just made mac and cheese and I wish I had used the muffin tin method. Love the idea of adding veggies. Makes me feel better about the mac and cheese portion. Love the colors.
Biana | Meal Planning Tips says
These look great! I like the idea of adding vegetables to macaroni and cheese.
Suzanne says
Oh my gosh! These looks amazing! Your photography is fabulous. I’m subscribing now and I’ve gotta pick out something to make – which is NOT going to be easy. Glad you found me and I am thrilled to have found you!
Terry says
Must pin! Always looking for yummy ways to sneak some veggies in.
Erin @ Dinners, Dishes and Desserts says
I love anything individual, these are too cute! And the roasted veggies make it a complete meal!
Ambika says
Yummy! I can eat this everyday!
Heather @ Get Healthy with Heather says
Not only are these too cute, but they sound so tasty too! Love this idea, thanks for sharing :)
Jennifurla says
Ive been loving some mac and cheese, these look delightful and full of fresh flavor.
Lauren says
I am just in LOVE with these little buggers!!
Taylor says
These are so cute! What a great combination of comfort food and veggies!
Erin @ Brownie Bites says
These are so creative! I love the color that the veggies add (oh ok, the health value too). What a great party food!
Baking Serendipity says
I am a comfort food lover too and this adaptation is so fun! Plus, the addition of veggies makes me feel like I can eat an extra :)
Vianney Rodriguez says
My kiddos would love this!!
Jenn says
Oh the things you could stuff in the mac and cheese cups.. the possibilities could be endless!!
Rachel {mother's mementos} says
This looks delightful! My boys would definitely eat this up!
Elizabeth @Mango_Queen says
What a delightful way to serve veggies to the family. I must try this. Thanks for sharing it & thanks for the blog-love ! I love yours, too. Will be back for more soon.
SerenaB says
These look amazingly delish and I’m sure my kids would love it! I look forward to looking around your blog and reading more! Have a great week!
Jen at The Three Little Piglets says
That is a great idea! Even more so because you can do some with and some without so everyone is happy!
Isabelle @ Crumb says
Oh my goodness… these little “muffins” are too cute for words! I love a gooey, cheesy mac n’ cheese, and based on the gorgeous strings of melty cheese in the photo, this is definitely a winner (plus I can feel less guilty, because there’s healthy veggies in there… score!). This is totally going on the must-try list.
Steve @ the black peppercorn says
Love these. They are so clever and would taste amazing!
Katrina {In Katrina's Kitchen} says
Love this one, Georgia!
Eric @ Happy Valley Chow says
Wow those look delicious and are so simple, what a great idea! Can’t wait to try them :)
Lisa @ The Gonzo Gourmet says
Mac and cheese is the ultimate comfort food and you’re right – just like a hug. I love the addition of veggies. Baking in the muffin tin must add a nice crisp crust to the muffins?
Lindsay @ Delighted Momma says
WOW your blog rocks! These looks so yummy and all your food pictures are SO so good.
sweetcarolinescooking.com says
Comfort food indeed! I absolutely love these. Such a great idea, Georgia. I would gobble that entire tray up in no time. Woops! x
Bianca @ Confessions of a Chocoholic says
I love all kinds of mac and cheese, but I love the simple kinds the most. This is great that it’s so easy to make and I can use use all different kinds of veggies! Doesn’t hurt that they’re cute too :)
Reem | Simply Reem says
Georgia my dear!!!
These look adorable!!! I could have never thought of this.
How creative and healthy and delicious.
Kiran @ KiranTarun.com says
Roasted macaroni & cheese?!? Sign me up!! That looks so drool-worthy :)
Lisa says
Georgia..very nice to meet you – speaking of gorgeous blogs, that is. I need to self-host soon aka put on my makeup l) These macaroni and cheese cups look so incredibly good, the veggies not only add nutrion and all that good stuff, but they turn them into little, colorful beauties. I will definitely try these. Stunning photos! Looking forward to reading through your blog and everything that comes after :)
Georgia | The Comfort of Cooking says
Thanks for your kind comments, everyone! I’m so glad you all like this recipe.
@Lisa (The Gonzo Gourmet) – The crisp crust comes from surrounding the muffin cups with bread crumbs before placing in the mac and cheese.
purecomplex.com says
Wow.. I am totally in awe over these wonderful mac and cheese cups. They just look so darn cute and wonderful for any day of the year. Wonderful post
wendyweekendgourmet says
Yum…what a cute side dish or appetizer. And Lent-approved too!
Lynda @ TasteFood says
My family will love this!
Maureen says
What a deliciously clever idea!
Angela @ Mind Over Batter says
I think every member of my family would break my door down for these! Very clever idea – Wonderful post!
Jen @ Jen's Favorite Cookies says
This is the most fabulous idea I have seen in a long time!! What a fun little appetizer or snack! I love the broccoli on top, too.
Beth says
Mac and cheese is the best comfort food ever. These cups are so cute!
Health Buzz says
Wow! Great!
Choc Chip Uru says
These cups are super cute and healthy – a meal on the go :D
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Latest: Giant Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup Stuffed Peanut Butter M&M Cookie For One
Melanie says
My kids will love these! I’ve seen variations around the internet but love yours the best for the stacked veggies. Plus, your gorgeous photos could sell me on making just about anything!
Becki's Whole Life says
So cute! This would make a great easy side dish since it has the veggie and the starch all in one little cup. Will definitely try this out:-)
Roxana GreenGirl {A little bit of everything} says
what a great twist on mac&cheese. I love individual size portions and these cups look great! and the roasted veggies on top, perfect dinner!
Erin says
So cute! I always have trouble coming up with appetizer ideas, and this looks like a great one to keep in mind! :)
Shawn @ I Wash...You Dry says
I want this right now! That is my idea of comfort food!!
nidhi@whats cooking mom says
Amazing recipe. your photos are superb. I am definitely tyring these.
Magic of Spice says
You seriously know the way to my heart…Wow, is about all I can say, just wow!
Nuts about food says
I love the idea of roasting the pasta in individual servings in a muffin pan. Thanks for the tip and off to read more of your blog!
Bree says
How CLEVER! Love it!So glad I found your blog.
pinksrecipediary says
Georgia, u have a lovely blog and thanx for dropping by my blog, glad to have discovered ur blog and count me as ur new reader.
claire @ the realistic nutritionist says
Georgia, these are BEAUTIFUL!!!!
Anonymous says
Would this work if I wanted to make regular size servings? If so, what would the baking time be and what would the size of the pan be? Thanks, they look delicious!
Georgia | The Comfort of Cooking says
Hi Anonymous – Not sure what you mean by “regular size servings,” could you clarify? These are made in a standard size muffin tins, not mini. If you mean to say you just want a full pot of mac & cheese, just roast the vegetables quickly and toss them in.
Sconnie Mommy says
Has anyone tried freezing these? I love the idea of just pulling one out of the freezer and popping it in the microwave, but I’m curious to know how the tomatoes will hold up (obviously, I could omit but my 2 year old loves them).
Georgia | The Comfort of Cooking says
I’ve never frozen them, but I think they would do just fine in a resealable bag or container. Just warm up in the oven or microwave!
Lora says
My goodness, I can’t wait to try these. This is also going on my “must have” party menu. Thank you
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