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Mac and cheese bites on a blue plate.
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Homemade Mac and Cheese Bites with Butternut Squash (BLW Recipe)

These homemade Mac and Cheese Bites make for the perfect on-the-go healthy snack or lunch with extra veggies to boot for babies, toddlers, kids, and even parents too.
Course Snack
Cuisine American
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings 72 bites
Calories 47kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 lb chickpea macaroni
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 1/2 yellow onion finely diced
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 3 tbsp whole wheat flour
  • 1 3/4 cups whole milk
  • 2 cups frozen butternut squash cubes thawed
  • 1 tsp dijon mustard
  • 1/4 tsp paprika
  • 1 cup grated cheddar
  • 1 cup grated fresh mozzarella
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 2 eggs beaten
  • 2 tbsp hemp hearts
  • 2 tbsp finely grated parmesan cheese
  • 1 tbsp ground flax

Instructions

  • Cook the pasta al dente according to box directions. Set aside.
  • To a medium skillet with high sides, over medium heat, heat the butter.
  • Add the onions and garlic and cook until softened and fragrant, about 2-3 minutes.
  • Add the flour and stir to make a roux.
  • Add the milk and cook over medium low heat, stirring frequently until the milk bubbles slightly and thickens.
  • Add the butternut squash, mustard and paprika and cook for an additional 4-5 minutes until they are soft.
  • Transfer to a blender and puree until smooth. Return the sauce back to the pot over medium low heat and add the cheddar and mozzarella cheese. Cook until the cheese melts. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  • Take the sauce off the heat and add to the pasta.
  • Beat the eggs and quickly mix with the sauce and pasta.
  • Spray 72 mini muffin tins with nonstick spray (ideally use silicon like these ones). Fill the muffin tins with the mixture and top with flax, hemp hearts and parmesan.
  • Bake for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown and set in a 350 degree oven.
  • Serve right away, or transfer to a freezer bag to pull out as easy on the go snacks.

Notes

  • I recommend grating your own cheese instead of buying pre-grated cheese. Pre-grated cheese doesn't melt as nicely as cheese that you grate yourself.
  • You can add panko on top of the mac and cheese bites before baking to give them more of a crunch.
  • If you are looking to buy a muffin tin for this, I recommend a silicone muffin tin as you can easily pop the mac and cheese bites out in a flash.

Nutrition

Calories: 47kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 9mg | Sodium: 37mg | Potassium: 29mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 473IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 36mg | Iron: 1mg