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Fried Mac and Cheese Balls Recipe
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Fried Macaroni and Cheese Balls Recipe

If you love the Fried Mac and cheese balls at the Cheesecake Facory then you are going to love this easy copy cat recipe. Tender elbow noodles with gooey cheese that are then deep fried to perfection, topped with sauce and shredded cheese. This recipe works great as an appetizer for a weeknight dinner or a game day snack.
Course Appetizer
Cuisine Italian
Keyword fried mac and cheese, fried mac and cheese balls
Prep Time 1 hour
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 40 minutes
Servings 15
Calories 303kcal
Author Lauren

Ingredients

  • 1 pound elbow Macaroni
  • 1 pound block cheddar Cheese shredded
  • 4 ounces block cream cheese
  • 1 cup bread crumbs
  • 4 eggs
  • 1/2 cup shredded cheese just to sprinkle on top
  • 24 ounces Pasta Sauce
  • 1/2 cup milk

Instructions

  • Cook the pasta according to the box instructions. Once cooked drain the pasta and then add the pasta back into pot.
  • Chop up the cheddar cheese and the cream cheese into cubes.
  • Add the cream cheese, cheddar cheese to the pasta and stir the cheese into the pasta untill the cheese is melted and coats the pasta.
  • Let the pasta cool until you can use your hands with it. Will take about 20 minutes, you can also move the pasta to a large bowl that has not been used to cook the pasta so it is not warm and the pasta mixture cools quicker.
  • Line 2-3 baking sheets with wax paper or parchment paper.
  • Using your hands form the pasta into balls and place them on the baking sheet. Once you have made pasta balls with all of the pasta, put the baking sheet into the freezer to freeze solid. They will take 2-3 hours to freeze solid.
  • Once the pasta balls are frozen, prep the ingredients for frying.
  • In a medium sized bowl add the breadcrumbs. In another bowl add 3 eggs and 1/4 milk and mix well with a fork or a whisk.
  • Take each frozen mac and cheese balls and dip balls into the milk and egg mixture. Then dip the mac and cheese balls into the bread crumbs and coat completely. Do this 2 times for each mac and cheese ball. Be sure they are completely covered with breadcrumbs.
  • If the macaroni and cheese balls have gotten a little soft from being out place the coated mac and cheese balls back in the refrigerator for 15-20 minutes to have them reharden.
  • After you have coated all the mac and cheese balls it is time to fry them. You can fry them in a deep fryer with a basket or on the stove with a pan using the cooking directions above.
  • Once cooked, use a slotted spoon or tongs to transfer the fried mac and cheese balls to a plate lined with paper towels to drain off excess oil.
  • If you are using block cheese shred the cheese and set aside until the pasta sauce is done heating.
  • Once you are done cooking the macaroni and cheese balls, heat the pasta sauce. Heat the pasta sauce in a microwave safe bowl in the microwave or in a saucepan on the stove top over medium heat until heated all the way thru.
  • Serve the balls immediately while they're hot and crispy.
  • Place the mac and cheese balls on a plate and top with the pasta sauce and then sprinkle the shredded cheese on top.

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 303kcal | Carbohydrates: 29g | Protein: 16g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 80mg | Sodium: 339mg | Potassium: 162mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 410IU | Calcium: 299mg | Iron: 1.2mg