My husband and I went to the Cheesecake Factory to celebrate my birthday in July and we tried the deep-fried mac and cheese balls. I knew right then I had to find the recipe! And I finally made some… 6 months later, but whatever.
These are the most delicious balls of fried mac and cheese ever! The outside is light and crispy, and when you break it open, the cheese just oozes out! Hungry yet?!
Ingredients:
- 1 pound (one box) large elbow macaroni
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 2 cups whole milk heated and warmed
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 1/2lb. grated sharp cheddar cheese
- 1/2lb. smoked Gouda cheese (grated)
- 1/2lb. shredded Italian blend cheese — Fresh Parmesan, Asiago, Romano, Mozzarella, Provolone cheese
- salt/pepper, to taste
- 3 eggs
- 3 tablespoons milk
- 1 box Panko bread crumbs
Step-by-Step Instructions:
Slightly under-cook your elbow macaroni according to directions. Drain and rinse with cold water and set aside.
In a big saucepan, melt your butter.
Once it melts, slowly whisk in your flour – stirring out the lumps.
Add the milk into the mixture. Cook on medium heat for about 4 minutes until the sauce thickens.
Remove from heat and slowly add all of the freshly grated cheeses.
Stir well until it is melted and smooth.
In a large glass pan, fold in the macaroni and mix well with the cheese sauce.
Season with salt and pepper.
Chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours.
Then shape the cold mac and cheese into balls. Mine are pretty large (like the Cheesecake Factory) but you could make them bite-size too.
Place the balls on a cookie sheet lined with foil in the freezer for about 45 mins.
Compress the balls to make them firmer and tighter and put them back in the freezer.
In a small bowl, whisk your 3 eggs and your 3 tablespoons of milk. Set aside.
In another bowl, place your Panko bread crumbs and set aside. (It’s important to use the Panko brand!)
Heat your oil in a pan or fryer.
One by one, take your mac and cheese balls and dip them in the egg mixture – then roll them in the Panko bread crumbs.
Coat each ball really good and fry them in the oil.
They will be a crispy light brown when they are done. Set on a paper towel to drain the oil.
Top with some freshly grated cheese. Serve with marinara sauce.
I’ve never heard of this before but WOW. Looks amazing!
I remember I had some and thought I was in heaven it was too much for me but so good. I may try some for the new year for guests.
I read the title, and was all like, “Aw! Did you know the Cheesecake Factory has those?!” And then… you did. You’re right. They are awesome. I dip mine in marinara. Mmmmm. Cheeeeeese!
Ummm….yum! And, I think I just felt my booty grow three sizes just looking at these amazing little balls of fried mac and cheese goodness!
I have never heard of fried macaroni and cheese balls. It sounds like a good excuse to go to The Cheesecake Factory soon though!
We make something like this form time to time at home. It is ALWAYS a hit with the kids (and the adults like it as well).
Holy Moly those look amazing! Definitely pinning this for a not too distant meal! 🙂
I’ve had those and yours looks just like them and I bet they taste just as good. Great photos you took too!!
OMG, these sound absolutely amazing. My husband would love me forever and ever if I made these.
These are so good. We made them a few months ago and the kids have been begging for them ever since.
My kids and I LOVE mac and cheese so these would sure be a hit at m house. They look YUMMY!
my father and I were just talking about making these. I like your recipe, i’m going to send it to him now.
I’ve so tried the ones at The Cheesecake Factory and they were delicious. I didn’t know what to expect from them but yummy they were.
I will definitely try these as they look easy enough to make without burning down my kitchen.
Hi Amy! Thank you so much for sharing these delicious mac & cheese balls with us at last week’s Get Crafty Friday! You’ve been featured this week! I hope you will stop by and share with us again. Have a wonderful weekend!
-Amy
http://www.thestitchinmommy.com/2014/01/get-crafty-friday-55.html
Congratulations…this post is featured on Create It Thursday #36! Thanks for sharing such a great idea with us last week!
I have had a heart attack just looking at these yummy photos. What a great food for game day. Thanks for linking up to friday frenzy this week. Hope to see you again next week.
Wow these look delicious. I’m definitely going to pin this. I want some now. lol
These look absolutely delcious. I wish I had this recipe over the holidays. Definitely bookmarking it for my next dinner party!
These look delicious! Pinned your recipe — I need to try them!
OMG!!!!! I NEED to have/make these!! I bet you get invited to all the parties after you bring these (well if you decide to share…) phaha!!
Hi! Found you on The Pin it Party Link Up. These look AMAZING! One day when I have the time I will have to try making. Pretty sure my 2 year old who loves mac and cheese would love these! Pinned and now following you via Pinterest.
Ok Amy these look insanely heavenly (yummy photos)! As soon as these hit my dinner table my kids are going to request these every week. Thanks for sharing, coming from Turn it Up Tuesday! Please share the follow, gurvygreen.com
I can see my fiancé eating these while complaining I make him fat! Macaroni and cheese is one of my favorite foods, but Iv’e never seen fried mac and cheese balls before. Amazing!
Oh wow, these look delicious!
I would love to have you hop over and share with us at Tell Me About It Tuesday! http://www.sweetsillysara.com/2014/02/tell-me-about-it-tuesday-4.html
Sara
sweetsillysara@gmail.com
http://www.sweetsillysara.com
I saw these once on Diner, Drive-ins, and Dives and was so intrigued by them. Now I can make them. Thanks for the recipe and for sharing it at our Making Monday link party. Have a great weekend.