Mac 'n Cheese Cupcakes

Cupcakes for dinner, why not? Okay, so this isn't your typical cucpake...it's a mac 'n cheese cupcake and it's perfect for dinner, especially if you have kiddos. I have to be honest, though, it has taken me a few times to perfect this recipe to my kids' liking. I love this recipe for many reasons: it's super easy to make, most/all of the ingredients you probably have on hand, it is possible to make this entire recipe while holding a 25 pound sack of potatoes (baby girl), it's much tastier and healthier than the box mac 'n cheese, and you can customize it to everyone's liking.

The first time I made these I didn't add nearly enough salt and pepper and they were very bland. The next few times, they were much better, but still seemed to be missing something. Tonight, I feel like I nailed it...finally! I decided to top the cupcakes with something different for each of my children. For my baby girl, I topped hers with tomatoes. For my little man, I topped his with bacon (He LOVES bacon!) and for my older girl, I topped hers with parsley...because it's fancy and she likes fancy. And for mine, I decided to go with breadcrumbs. Everyone loved having their very own cupcake that was created just for them. It definitely added a little something extra by adding the toppings. I tried the tomato, bacon and breadcumb cupcakes and I couldn't decide which was my favorite. They were all so good! I'm already thinking about what I can top them with next...any fun, crazy ideas?

Mac 'n Cheese Cupcakes (adapted from Framed Cooks)

8 oz. elbow macaroni

2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, plus a little more for garnish

2 eggs

1 cup milk

Salt and Pepper

Diced tomatoes, bacon, breadcrumbs, parsley for toppings (optional)

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line a 12 cup muffin tin with paper or foil liners.

2. Cook the macaroni until done. Drain and immediately return to pot.

3. Add cheese and stir briefly, until almost melting.

4. Beat eggs into milk (add salt and pepper), and then pour mixture into macaroni. Mix well.

5. Ladle macaroni mixture into muffin tins. Sprinkle with remaining cheese and add toppings, if desired. Bake for 20 minutes. Cool slightly before serving.