The Ultimate Make-Ahead Macaroni and Cheese in a Jar
November 9, 2023
super easy
This The Ultimate Make-Ahead Macaroni and Cheese in a Jar is the perfect side dish or appetizer for your next party. It is easy to make and the best part if you can make it ahead of time for the busy season!
Is it just me or does mac n cheese bring back some childhood memories? There are two types of people, the ones who crave homemade mac and cheese or the ones that crave the box. Growing up, my mom loved to make homemade mac and cheese and that love got passed down to me any my sister.
Sometimes, it really is the little things in life that add up. If you have an extra little helping hand in the kitchen, this is a great dish to have kids help you with. They love scooping it into the jars and topping with the crunch bread crumbs. Truth be told, during the pandemic I quickly found myself being a kindergarten teacher. I found that a great way to continue working on reading and math was to have my son help me in the kitchen. It covered a variety of lessons he would have received at school in a hands on way.
This recipe is created with a combination of cheeses and it is that variety that really adds the depth and flavor to it. In this recipe we use gruyere cheese as the star of the dish for it’s ability to melt easily. Sharp cheddar because it has a bite and still turns incredibly creamy. Be careful with extra sharp cheddar, it doesn’t have the same creaminess sharp or mild cheddar do. Finally some parmesan for it’s rich and tangy taste. You can play around with the cheese mixture to create your own favorite recipe. Just be sure you have a few good melting cheeses in it.
Making the The Ultimate Make-Ahead Macaroni and Cheese in a Jar:
Ingredients:
- 12 4 oz. mason jars
- 4 cups elbow macaroni
- 2 TBSP. butter
- 2 TBSP. einkorn flour
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1/2 tsp. dry mustard
- 1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper
- 1/2 tsp. salt
- 1/2 tsp. garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp. onion powder
- 2 cups gruyere cheese
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 cup parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup panko bread crumbs
To begin, bring a large pot of water to boil over medium high heat. Once boiling add in a dash of salt and the elbow macaroni. Cook until al dente and then strain the hot pasta and rinse under cold water. Set aside to mix in later.
In a pan add in the butter and melt over medium heat. Stir in the flour and create a paste. Once the paste has formed, add in the milk 1/2 a cup at a time and once it thickens continue adding in 1/2 cup at a time while whisking until a creamy sauce forms. Add in the dry mustard, cayenne pepper, salt, garlic powder and onion powder. Remove from the heat and add in the cheeses. Be sure to shred the cheese from the block instead of buying pre-shredded cheeses. The pre-shredded cheeses have additives that not only add preservatives, but make it so the cheese doesn’t melt as easily.
Combine the sauce and macaroni noodles together in a bowl.
This is my favorite part of the recipe, using a large scoop and place the macaroni into each of the 12 mason jars. Sprinkle the tops with the crunchy bread crumbs. Place the mason jars on a baking sheet and bake in the oven at 350 f for 15-20 minutes. You will want the top to become a nice golden brown.
Let the glass cool to room temperature and serve.
Variations:
There are many changes you can make and the easiest one is with the cheeses. You can swap out the gruyere for pepper jack and add in some crispy bacon for a southern twist. For a more mild flavor, you can also swap out the gruyere for Monterrey jack cheese. If you want to make this a fun dish you can play with different pasta shapes.
I love freezing these in the freezer, just be sure at the top of the jar you leave some space for expansion when it freezes.
Next time you have a holiday party, this is a great way to feed guests hearty food with less mess. The jars look adorable, just place out on platters and tiers and they are a new favorite way to change up your appetizer game. Mac and cheese in a mini jar is a delightful, sophisticated, and fun baked macaroni. The creamy, cheesy goodness combined with the individual servings in mini jars create a beautiful presentation that is also the ultimate comfort food. Let these become your go-to recipe for special occasions! So go ahead and add some elegance and fun to your next gathering with these delectable, gourmet mac and cheese delights. Your guests will thank you for it!
You can purchase the jars here.
The Ultimate Make-Ahead Macaroni and Cheese in a Jar
Ingredients
- 12 4 oz. mason jars
- 4 cups elbow macaroni
- 2 TBSP. butter
- 2 TBSP. einkorn flour
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1/2 tsp. dry mustard
- 1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper
- 1/2 tsp. salt
- 1/2 tsp. garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp. onion powder
- 2 cups gruyere cheese
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 cup parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup panko bread crumbs
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of water to boil over medium high heat. Once boiling add in a dash of salt and the elbow macaroni. Cook until al dente and then strain the hot pasta and rinse under cold water. Set aside to mix in later.
- In a pan add in the butter and melt over medium heat.
- Stir in the flour and create a paste.
- Once the paste has formed, add in the milk 1/2 a cup at a time and once it thickens continue adding in 1/2 cup at a time while whisking until a creamy sauce forms.
- Add in the dry mustard, cayenne pepper, salt, garlic powder and onion powder.
- Remove from the heat and add in the cheeses. Be sure to shred the cheese from the block instead of buying pre-shredded cheeses. The pre-shredded cheeses have additives that not only add preservatives, but make it so the cheese doesn't melt as easily.
- Combine the sauce and macaroni noodles together in a bowl.
- Use a large scoop and place the macaroni into each of the 12 mason jars.
- Sprinkle the tops of the jars with the crunchy bread crumbs.
- Place the mason jars on a baking sheet and bake in the oven at 350 f for 10-15 minutes.
- You will want the top to become a nice golden brown.
- Let the glass cool to room temperature and serve.
For more appetizers try these:
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