Fried Macaroni and Cheese Balls Recipe

If you love the Fried Mac and cheese balls at the Cheesecake Factory then you are going to love this easy copycat recipe. Tender elbow noodles with gooey cheese that are then deep fried to perfection, topped with sauce and shredded cheese. This recipe works great as an appetizer for a weeknight dinner or a game day snack.

Made with simple ingredients, that you probably already have in your pantry you can make this Fried Mac and Cheese balls recipe at home without having to go out to dinner!

Fried Mac and Cheese Balls Recipe

When we lived in New Jersey we had a Cheesecake Factory close by. Every time I used to go there for date night or when my friends and I went out for ladies’ night I got the Fried Macaroni and cheese balls. 

When we moved to Pennsylvania there was not one within driving distance. 10 years later there still is not, so I continue to make my favorite menu item at home. 

It took me a bit to get this recipe just right. I tested things many times until I got these fried balls of macaroni and gooey cheese perfect! Thankfully no one in my house complained about being taste testers while I figured out the exacts for this fried mac and cheese bites copycat recipe.

My whole family loves this easy to make fried macaroni and cheese recipe. There is just something about the flavor combinations that makes it so amazing!

This fried mac and cheese ball recipe is the perfect recipe for when you want an amazing restaurant-style recipe at home. This fried mac and cheese balls recipe tastes just like what you get at The Cheesecake Factory. And boy are they delicious!

Copy Cat Recipes

• Starbucks Copycat drink Recipes
• Copy Cat Olive Garden Ziti al Forno
• Auntie Anne’s CopyCat Cinnamon Sugar Pretzel Bites
• Copycat Cracker Barrel Chicken and Dumplings

Tips For Making this Recipe

Mac and cheese. I think these Fried Mac and Cheese balls are best made with homemade mac and cheese or the mac and cheese variation that is included with this recipe, but if you are in a pinch you can make them with a box of mac and cheese if needed.

Pasta. I find the best pasta to use is elbow noodles. 

Pasta Sauce. You can use jarred sauce or you can use a homemade pasta sauce homemade marinara sauce already made then you can use that to make these as well instead of using jarred pasta sauce.

How to Fry Macaroni and Cheese Balls

Using a deep fryer.

• You can use a deep fryer with a basket set at 350. 
• Place the mac and cheese balls in the basket in a single layer and cook in the deep fryer for 3-5 minutes. 
• Start at 3 minutes and then check them and cook up to 5 minutes if they need it. 

Fry in a pan on the stove. 

• In a heavy-bottomed skillet, sauce pan or frying pan, pour enough oil to submerge the mac and cheese balls. 
• Heat the oil over medium-high heat until it reaches a temperature of around 350°F. Carefully place the coated mac and cheese balls into the hot oil, making sure not to overcrowd the pan. 
• Fry them in batches, if necessary, to maintain the oil temperature and ensure even cooking. Cook the balls for about 3-4 minutes, turning occasionally, until they are golden brown and crispy on all sides.

Can I meal prep Mac and Cheese Balls ahead of time?

If you want to prep them ahead of time to enjoy later you can. Once you’ve formed them into balls, you have two options.

• Freeze the Uncooked Balls. Make the mac and cheese balls up until the cooking step. Place the shaped mac and cheese balls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and place them in the freezer until they are firm. Once frozen, transfer them to a freezer-safe container or bag for long-term storage. They can be kept frozen for up to 1-2 months. Cook from frozen state according to recipe instructions.
• Freeze the Cooked Mac and cheese balls. Cook the mac and cheese balls according to the recipe instructions and then allow them to cool completely. place them on a baking sheet and then place in the freezer until they are fully frozen. Remove the frozen mac and cheese balls from the baking sheet and store in a freezer bag. To reheat the mac and cheese balls, you can pop them in the oven at 350°F for a few minutes until heated through, pop them in an air fryer for 3-4 minutes at 350°F or you can microwave them for a quicker option. Serve with your favorite dipping sauce and enjoy!

How to Store Leftovers

Allow the fried mac and cheese balls to cool before transferring them to an airtight container. Store them in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days.

To reheat the mac and cheese balls, you can pop them in the oven at 350°F for a few minutes until heated through, pop them in an air fryer for 3-4 minutes at 350°F or you can microwave them for a quicker option. Serve with your favorite dipping sauce and enjoy!

Fried Mac and Cheese Balls Recipe Ingredients

• Elbow Macaroni
• Cheddar cheese
• Cream cheese
• Breadcrumbs
• Eggs
• Pasta sauce
• Milk

How to Make Fried Mac and Cheese Balls Recipe

Cook the pasta according to the box instructions. Once cooked drain the pasta and then add the pasta back into pot.

Chop up the cheddar cheese and the cream cheese into cubes.

Add the cream cheese, cheddar cheese to the pasta and stir the cheese into the pasta until the cheese is melted and coats the pasta. 

Let the pasta cool until you can use your hands with it. It will take about 20 minutes, you can also move the pasta to a large bowl that has not been used to cook the pasta so it is not warm and the pasta mixture cools quicker. 

Line 2-3 baking sheets with wax paper or parchment paper. 

Using your hands form the pasta into balls and place them on the baking sheet. Once you have made pasta balls with all of the pasta, put the baking sheet into the freezer to freeze solid. They will take 2-3 hours to freeze solid. 

Once the pasta balls are frozen, prep the ingredients for frying. 

In a medium sized bowl add the breadcrumbs. In another bowl add 3 eggs and 1/4 milk and mix well with a fork or a whisk. 

Take each frozen mac and cheese balls and dip balls into the milk and egg mixture. Then dip the mac and cheese balls into the bread crumbs and coat completely. Do this 2 times for each mac and cheese ball. Be sure they are completely covered with breadcrumbs. 

If the macaroni and cheese balls have gotten a little soft from being out place the coated mac and cheese balls back in the refrigerator for 15-20 minutes to have them reharden.

After you have coated all the mac and cheese balls it is time to fry them. You can fry them in a deep fryer with a basket or on the stove with a pan using the cooking directions above. 

Once cooked, use a slotted spoon or tongs to transfer the fried mac and cheese balls to a plate lined with paper towels to drain off excess oil. 

If you are using block cheese shred the cheese and set aside until the pasta sauce is done heating.

Once you are done cooking the macaroni and cheese balls, heat the pasta sauce. Heat the pasta sauce in a microwave safe bowl in the microwave or in a saucepan on the stove top over medium heat until heated all the way thru. 

Serve the balls immediately while they’re hot and crispy. 

Place the mac and cheese balls on a plate and top with the pasta sauce and then sprinkle the shredded cheese on top. 

My Favorite Appetizers Recipes

• Bacon Deviled Eggs
• Bacon Ranch Pinwheels
• 7 Layer Dip
• Buffalo Chicken Dip recipe
• Taco Dip Recipe
• Pinecone Cheese Ball
• Easy Caprese Salad Skewers
• Buffalo Cauliflower Bites
• Cajun Unfried Chicken Wings

Fried Macaroni and Cheese Balls Recipe

Created by Lauren

3.89 from 43 votes

Prep Time 1 hour hr

Cook Time 40 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 40 minutes mins

Servings 15

Print Recipe Pin Recipe Rate Recipe

If you love the Fried Mac and cheese balls at the Cheesecake Facory then you are going to love this easy copy cat recipe. Tender elbow noodles with gooey cheese that are then deep fried to perfection, topped with sauce and shredded cheese. This recipe works great as an appetizer for a weeknight dinner or a game day snack.

Ingredients

• 1 pound elbow Macaroni
• 1 pound block cheddar Cheese shredded
• 4 ounces block cream cheese
• 1 cup bread crumbs
• 4 eggs
• 1/2 cup shredded cheese just to sprinkle on top
• 24 ounces Pasta Sauce
• 1/2 cup milk

Instructions

• Cook the pasta according to the box instructions. Once cooked drain the pasta and then add the pasta back into pot.
• Chop up the cheddar cheese and the cream cheese into cubes.
• Add the cream cheese, cheddar cheese to the pasta and stir the cheese into the pasta untill the cheese is melted and coats the pasta.
• Let the pasta cool until you can use your hands with it. Will take about 20 minutes, you can also move the pasta to a large bowl that has not been used to cook the pasta so it is not warm and the pasta mixture cools quicker.
• Line 2-3 baking sheets with wax paper or parchment paper.
• Using your hands form the pasta into balls and place them on the baking sheet. Once you have made pasta balls with all of the pasta, put the baking sheet into the freezer to freeze solid. They will take 2-3 hours to freeze solid.
• Once the pasta balls are frozen, prep the ingredients for frying.
• In a medium sized bowl add the breadcrumbs. In another bowl add 3 eggs and 1/4 milk and mix well with a fork or a whisk.
• Take each frozen mac and cheese balls and dip balls into the milk and egg mixture. Then dip the mac and cheese balls into the bread crumbs and coat completely. Do this 2 times for each mac and cheese ball. Be sure they are completely covered with breadcrumbs.
• If the macaroni and cheese balls have gotten a little soft from being out place the coated mac and cheese balls back in the refrigerator for 15-20 minutes to have them reharden.
• After you have coated all the mac and cheese balls it is time to fry them. You can fry them in a deep fryer with a basket or on the stove with a pan using the cooking directions above.
• Once cooked, use a slotted spoon or tongs to transfer the fried mac and cheese balls to a plate lined with paper towels to drain off excess oil.
• If you are using block cheese shred the cheese and set aside until the pasta sauce is done heating.
• Once you are done cooking the macaroni and cheese balls, heat the pasta sauce. Heat the pasta sauce in a microwave safe bowl in the microwave or in a saucepan on the stove top over medium heat until heated all the way thru.
• Serve the balls immediately while they’re hot and crispy.
• Place the mac and cheese balls on a plate and top with the pasta sauce and then sprinkle the shredded cheese on top.

Calories: 303kcal | Carbohydrates: 29g | Protein: 16g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 80mg | Sodium: 339mg | Potassium: 162mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 410IU | Calcium: 299mg | Iron: 1.2mg

fried mac and cheese, fried mac and cheese balls

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