Ham and Cheese Mac Bites

Ingredients

• Yield: 24 - 36 two bite mini mac and cheese
• 8 ounces ditalini pasta, cooked per package directions
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 2 tablespoons all purpose flour
• 1 cup low fat milk
• 1 cup (4 ounces) grated sharp cheddar cheese
• 1 cup (4 ounces) grated monterey jack cheese
• 1 cup diced ham
• 1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
• 1/4 teaspoon paprika
• pinch of cayenne
• 1/2 cup grated cheddar cheese for garnish

Frito Crust

• 2 cups Fritos

Directions

1. Pre-heat oven to 425 degrees F.
2. In a large saucepan melt butter on medium high heat. Add flour and whisk until flour is incorporated and has had time to cook; 2 - 3 minutes. Slowly whisk in milk until boiling, about 5 minutes.
3. Reduce heat and whisk in cheese until completely melted. Remove from heat and stir in ham, paprika, mustard, cayenne and pasta.
4. Spray two 12 cup mini muffin tins with canola or olive cooking spray. Spoon heaping tablespoons of macaroni and cheese mixture into each cup and lightly pat down (this helps the pasta bind together). Top with extra grated cheddar.
5. Bake the mac and cheese bites for 10 minutes or until tops have started to brown and bites are sizzling.
6. Remove from oven and let sit for 10-15 minutes. Gently remove bites with a spoon and set on serving platter. Garnish with chopped parsley or chives.

Frito Crust

1. In a food processor combine two fun size packages of Fritos (approximately 2 cups), a tablespoon of finely grated parmesan and 1 tablespoon of melted unsalted butter. Pulse until mixture resembles cornmeal. After greasing muffins tins place a little less than 1 teaspoon of mixture at bottom of each cup. Place mac and cheese mixture on top and follow recipe above.