Fried Mac n Cheese Balls with Marinara Sauce
9:04 PM
I seriously love comfort food, fried food, and fried comfort food. Every time I would go to a fair/boardwalk, there would be tons of deep fried comfort food (Twinkies, Oreo's, etc)everywhere but I haven't tried them because I always think (know) that they're very unhealthy and they look scary/deadly. Until one day, I saw this fried mac-n-cheese appetizer at The Cheesecake Factory and it seemed like the perfect fried comfort food. I was skeptical at first, but i told myself "why not?!" so I tried it.. and I loved every bite! It's not too cheesy, too salty, or too pasta-eee. In short, it's not overpowering. It's just the right combination of everything. That's when i thought to myself that i should probably try to make my own version of this yummy goodness. So I tried to experiment last Sunday and it turned out great! Everyone who tried it LOVED it!! I hope you love it too!!!
* This recipe makes at least 24-30 Mac-n-cheese balls.*
For Pasta:
- 500 g elbow macaroni
- salt
- oil
- water
Instructions:
-Boil a pot of water. Add salt & oil.
- Put pasta in boiling water, stirring frequently. Cook for 7 minutes till pasta is al dente.
- Drain & cool.
For Bechamel Cheese Sauce:
- 4 tbsp butter
- 4 tbsp flour
- 2 1/2 cup milk
- 1 1/2 cup water
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 3 cups cheese (I used Cheddar, Mozzarella, & Jack combo) (You can use whatever cheese you want )
- 1/4 cup sour cream
Instructions:
- In a saucepan, melt butter over medium low heat.
- Add flour and stir until smooth to make a roux.
- Cook for about 2 minutes.
- Pour half of milk slowly while mixing to avoid lumps.
- Once smooth, add the remaining milk and whisk.
- Add water and season it with salt.
- Bring it to a boil.
- Add cheese and mix it until it is smooth and creamy.
- Turn off the stove.
- Add sour cream and mix.
- Pour in cooked macaroni into the bechamel sauce pot.
- Add more cheese if desired.
- set aside and let it cool.
- Portion a heaping tablespoon for each mac-n-cheese ball on a baking sheet/plate.
- Chill in freezer for about 30-40 mins until it is formed.
- Once formed, Shape it into balls and freeze for about 10- 20 mins.
For Crust/Coating:
- 3 eggs
- 4 cups Japanese breadcrumbs
- vegetable oil (for frying)
Instructions:
- Prepare two bowls, one is for the beaten eggs and the other one is for the Japanese breadcrumbs.
- Coat mac n cheese balls in egg, make sure they're coated well.
- Generously coat it with breadcrumbs after.
- Deep fry balls until golden brown. Drain on paper towel and set aside.
For Marinara Sauce:
- 2 to 3 cloves of garlic
- 1/2 of medium sized onion, diced
- 3 tbsp tomato paste
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 2 medium tomatoes, sliced
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 2 tbsp Italian seasoning
- 2 tbsp dried basil
- 2 cups water
Instructions:
- Saute onions in olive oil over medium heat for about 2 minutes.
- Add garlic and let it cook with the onions for 1 minute.
- Stir in fresh tomatoes and mash it for a chunky texture. Cook for about 5 minutes.
- Add sugar, salt, and pepper
- Add Italian seasoning and dried basil
- Add tomato paste. Cook for about 2 minutes.
- Add water and mix.
- Let it simmer in low heat for 10 minutes.
* Don't forget to turn off the stove*
* Serve Mac-n-cheese balls with marinara sauce. *
ENJOY!
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