Fried Macaroni and Cheese Balls

Name: Fried Macaroni and Cheese Balls
Prep time: 120 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 125 min
Yield: 8
Ingredients: 1 lb elbow pasta; 2 tbs butter; 2 cups milk, warmed; 2 tbs warmed milk, for egg wash; 1 lb cheddar cheese, grated; 1 lb smoked Gouda cheese, grated; 2 large eggs; kosher salt and black pepper to taste; 3 cups seasoned bread crumbs; vegetable oil for frying; marinara or Alfredo sauce for serving

Ingredients

1 lb elbow pasta
2 tbs butter
2 cups milk, warmed
2 tbs warmed milk, for egg wash
1 lb cheddar cheese, grated
1 lb smoked Gouda cheese, grated
2 large eggs
kosher salt and black pepper to taste
3 cups seasoned bread crumbs
vegetable oil for frying
marinara or Alfredo sauce for serving

This is a wonderful way to prepare macaroni and cheese as an appetizer. These mac and cheese balls are made with elbow pasta, cheddar and smoked Gouda cheese.

Cook pasta according to package directions.
Drain and rinse pasta under cold water to stop the cooking.
In a large saucepan, using medium heat add the butter and flour and whisk to combine for about 2-3 minutes.
Whisk the warm milk into the flour mixture and whisk until all lumps disappear.
Cook until the sauce thickens, then remove from the heat.
Add the cheeses and stir to form a smooth mixture, then season with salt and pepper.
Add the cooked macaroni to the sauce pan and combine with the cheese sauce. Combine to coat well.
Pour the macaroni into a shallow pan, cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
Once the macaroni mixture is totally chilled, using your hands or an ice cream scoop form the macaroni mixture into meatball sized balls and place then on a wax paper lined tray, cover and freeze the balls overnight.
Beat the eggs and 2 tbs of milk together to form an egg wash, and pour into a shallow bowl.
Place the bread crumbs into another bowl.
Remove the mac and cheese balls from the freezer, then dip then one at a time dip them into the egg wash and then into the bread crumbs to coat them thoroughly. Remove any excess.
Place the balls back onto the tray and put back into the freezer until ready to fry.
In a large sauce pan or deep fryer, fill 1/2 full with vegetable oil and heat to 350 degrees.
Fry the balls in batches until golden brown and the center is heated. About 5 minutes.
Serve with dipping sauces of your choice.