Deep-Fried Macaroni & Cheese Balls

Deep fried Mac and Cheese Balls are legendary in the world of deep fried. I mean, they are really, really THAT good. You can pop it in your mouth as it is, or dip it with Marinara sauce; either way, you won't be disappointed. And you know what's even better? They can be served as appetizers, after school snacks, or even main entree.. You pick!

 Ingredients:

- 1 pound (one box) large elbow macaroni

- 3 tablespoons butter

- 2 cups whole milk heated and warmed

- 2 tablespoons flour

- 1/2lb. grated sharp cheddar cheese

- 1/2lb. smoked Gouda cheese (grated)

- 1/2lb. shredded Italian blend cheese — Fresh Parmesan, Asiago, Romano, Mozzarella, Provolone cheese

- salt/pepper, to taste

- 3 eggs

- 3 tbsp milk

- 1 box Panko bread crumbs

Directions:

Slightly under-cook your elbow macaroni according to directions. Drain and rinse with cold water and set aside.

In a big saucepan, melt your butter.

Once it melts, slowly whisk in your flour – stirring out the lumps.

Add the milk into the mixture. Cook on medium heat for about 4 minutes until the sauce thickens.

Remove from heat and slowly add all of the freshly grated cheeses.

Stir well until it is melted and smooth.

In a large glass pan, fold in the macaroni and mix well with the cheese sauce.

Season with salt and pepper.

Chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours.

Then shape the cold mac and cheese into balls. Mine are pretty large but you could make them bite-size too.

Place the balls on a cookie sheet lined with foil in the freezer for about 45 minutes.

Compress the balls to make them firmer and tighter and put them back in the freezer.

In a small bowl, whisk your 3 eggs and your 3 tablespoons of milk. Set aside.

In another bowl, place your Panko bread crumbs and set aside. 

Heat your oil in a pan or fryer.

One by one, take your mac and cheese balls and dip them in the egg mixture – then roll them in the Panko bread crumbs.

Coat each ball really good and fry them in the oil.

They will be a crispy light brown when they are done. Set on a paper towel to drain the oil.

Top with some freshly grated cheese. Serve with marinara sauce.