Ingredients
8 servings
- ā¢1 (7.25 ounce) package macaroni and cheese mix
- ā¢2 tablespoons butter
- ā¢0.25 cup milk
- ā¢1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
- ā¢0.75 cup pimento cheese spread
- ā¢1 cup shredded Italian cheese blend
- ā¢4 cups peanut oil for frying, or as needed
- ā¢2 cups Italian seasoned bread crumbs
- ā¢0.5 teaspoon paprika
- ā¢0.5 teaspoon chili powder
- ā¢0.5 teaspoon ground black pepper
- ā¢0.5 teaspoon white sugar
- ā¢0.25 teaspoon salt
- ā¢1 pinch cayenne pepper, or to taste
- ā¢4 large eggs
- ā¢3 tablespoons milk
Instructions
- Fill a pot with lightly salted water and bring to a rolling boil over high heat. Stir in macaroni, and return to a boil. Cook, uncovered, stirring occasionally until macaroni is cooked through but still firm to the bite, about 7 minutes. Drain. Stir in butter, 1/4 cup milk, and cheese packet from the macaroni and cheese package.
- While macaroni is still hot, stir in Cheddar cheese, pimento cheese spread, and Italian cheese blend, and continue to stir until melted.
- Place the macaroni and cheese mixture into a container and refrigerate until firm, about 4 hours.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Remove the macaroni mixture from the refrigerator, and using a cookie scoop, scoop into balls. Place mac balls on the prepared baking sheet and freeze for at least 2 hours.
- Heat oil in a deep fryer or large saucepan to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
- Make a breading station: Whisk bread crumbs with paprika, chili powder, black pepper, sugar, salt, and cayenne in a shallow dish; set aside. Beat eggs with 3 tablespoons milk in a small bowl. Remove the mac balls from the freezer, coat in egg mixture, and then dredge in breading.
- Fry the mac balls in hot oil in small batches until golden brown, 3 to 5 minutes. Drain briefly on a paper towel-lined plate; serve hot.
Nutritional Facts
Per 8 servings
- Calories: 543
- Carbohydrate: 42g
- Fat: 32g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 20g
- Sugar: 7g