35 mins
15 mins
Serves 6
Recipes » Orzo Mac and Cheese Bites with Sundried Tomato Fonduta

Orzo Mac and Cheese Bites with Sundried Tomato Fonduta

Everyone’s favourite side gets an upgrade. These bites are perfect for serving a crowd. See their smiles as they dip these cheese bites into this rich, creamy sauce.
Share This Recipe:

Ingredients

  • 1/2 lb Italpasta Orzo
  • 3/8 lb Fontina, Gruyere or Gouda cheese, shredded
  • 1/4 cup butter
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 cup whole milk
  • 1 cup half and half cream
  • 2 clove garlic, finely minced
  • 1 shallot / small onion, peeled, finely chopped
  • 1 1/2 tbsp mustard powder
  • 1/2 tsp Cayenne Pepper
  • 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg, ground
  • 2 egg, whisked
  • 1/4 cup Parmesan Cheese, grated
  • 1/4 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 1/2 tsp salt, add to taste
  • fresh basil, add to garnish

Bread Crumb Topping

  • 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 3 tbsp butter
  • 1/4 cup Parmesan Cheese, grated
  • 1/2 tsp salt, add to taste
  • 1/2 tsp pepper, add to taste

Sundried Tomato Fonduta

  • 1 tsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/2 cup sundried tomatoes
  • 1 cup reserved cheese sauce
  • 2 Roma tomatoes, diced
  • 1/2 tsp salt, add to taste
  • 1 pinch Crushed Red Pepper, add to taste
US – Metric

Instructions

  • In a large saucepan of boiling salted water, cook orzo until al dente, following package instructions. Drain and set aside.
  • Melt butter for cheese sauce in a medium-large pot over medium heat. Sauté shallot until translucent and then add garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute. Whisk in flour and cook while whisking for another minute. Gradually pour in half and half cream, followed by milk, whisking constantly. Continue to whisk until sauce thickens, about 10 to 12 minutes. Add mustard, cayenne pepper, nutmeg and salt. Gradually whisk in cheese until completely melted. Season with salt to taste, remembering that the cheese adds some saltiness to it already. Remove from heat, reserve 1/3 of cheese sauce and set aside. Whisk in eggs. Then gradually stir in pasta and set aside.
  • Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Spray or grease nonstick mini muffin tins and dust each cup with Parmesan cheese and panko and set aside.
  • In a large skillet melt butter for breadcrumbs over medium heat. Stir in breadcrumbs and toast them in the pan, stirring constantly until golden brown, about 5 to 10 minutes. Re-move from heat and season with salt and pepper to taste and set aside.
  • Divide mac and cheese evenly into mini muffin tins, pressing down on each one gently. Sprinkle each with Parmesan cheese followed by bread crumbs and bake until golden brown and heated through, about 10-12 minutes. Remove from oven and place on a baking rack. Let sit in muffin tin until they can maintain their shape and are set, about 10 minutes. Using a small spoon, carefully loosen the mini mac and cheese bites, and transfer to a platter.
  • While the mini mac and cheese bites are baking, begin making the fonduta. In a medium skillet, heat oil on medium and add both fresh and sun-dried tomatoes and chili flakes. Cook, stirring often, for 10 to 12 minutes until fresh tomatoes have completely broken down and most of the moisture has evaporated. Season with salt to taste and remove from heat. In a food processor, purée the mixture along with reserved cheese sauce until smooth. Serve alongside mini mac and cheese bites and sprinkle them with chopped basil.
Share This Recipe:

You may also like:

Sorry. No recipes found.

Nutritional Analysis

Calories: 92kcalCarbohydrates: 7gProtein: 4gFat: 6gCholesterol: 23mgSodium: 83mgFiber: 0.5gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 300IUVitamin C: 0.8mgCalcium: 70mgIron: 0.4mg