Fried macaroni and cheese balls

Fried macaroni and cheese balls

by

Fried mac and cheese balls are the kind of food that if listed on the menu, I simply can’t help myself. It’s my go to appetizer of choice. I mean come on, there’s the greatest hits involved: cheese, pasta, fried breading, and – if you’re lucky – marinara sauce.

I still haven’t been able to serve these as an app at any house party I’ve been throwing, though, because every time I make them myself, they somehow disappear within an hour. So here’s my warning to you: be careful when making these. You can become highly addicted.

(Also technically this is cavatelli and cheese, but make no mention of the noodle).

Spaghetti sophie - mac and cheese balls

What you’ll need

For the mac and cheese:

  • 1/2 pound of macaroni
  • 2 tbsp of unsalted butter
  • 2 tbsp of flour
  • 1.5 cups of heavy cream
  • 6 oz. of shredded sharp cheddar
  • 6 oz. of shredded parm
  • 6 oz. of havarti cheese
  • 2 oz. of goat cheese
  • Salt, pepper
  • Of course, you can use store bought too. No one will judge you for using Kraft and it’s almost as good,

For making the mac balls:

  • 2 eggs
  • 2 cups of breadcrumbs
  • 2 cups vegetable oil for frying
  • Parm and marinara sauce to plate and top

How to make it

  1. Bring salted water to a boil and toss in your macaroni. Cook until al dente – make sure not to overcook!
  2. Heat the butter on medium heat in medium sauce pan. When the butter is fully melted, add some salt and pepper, then mix in the flour. When that has thickened, add the heavy cream and allow it to simmer for 3-5 minutes.
  3. Slowly mix in the cheeses, consistently whisking to avoid clumping and/ or burning.
  4. When cheese has thickened into a nice sauce, add the pasta and mix. If too thick, include some of the pasta water.
  5. This is the tricky part: let cool.
  6. When your mac and cheese has cooled, form into balls, about the size of a golf ball. Toss onto a sheet pan and put into your freezer for ~20 minutes.
  7. Heat the oil in a skillet for frying.
  8. Crack the eggs in a bowl and whisk. Pour breadcrumbs into a separate bowl. Remove your mac and cheese balls from the freezer and double coat them: toss into the egg, then breadcrumbs, then once again, the eggs and then breadcrumbs.
  9. Fry for 2-3 minutes on each side.
  10. Plate (with marinara, cheese), serve, enjoy, and be obsessed.