Parmigiano Reggiano Mac and Cheese Bites Recipe | We are not Martha (2024)

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These mac and cheese bites are packed with flavor thanks to Parmigiano Reggiano cheese and roasted garlic. They're perfect for serving at parties or for a grab-and-go meal!

Parmigiano Reggiano Mac and Cheese Bites Recipe | We are not Martha (1)

This post is sponsored by Parmigiano Reggiano®, but as usual, all opinions are 100% my own. Thank you for supporting We are not Martha!

They say that you learn something new every day. And while perhaps a bit cheesy, it's totally true. Some of these things blow your mind. Like, when you learn you've been saying the "Berenstain Bears" wrong your whole life (thank goodness I'm not the only one). Or that Sinbad was never actually in a movie called Shazam (why the heck did everyone think he was??)

Or that the parmesan cheese you've been eating may not actually be real parmesan cheese. What?! Truth.

WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PARMESAN CHEESE AND PARMIGIANO REGGIANO CHEESE?

For as long as I've been buying cheese, I just assumed Parmigano Reggiano and parmesan were the exact same thing. But they're not! Did you know that the name "parmesan" isn't regulated and pretty much anyone can call their cheese parmesan if they desire? Which means the parmesan cheese you're buying may not be the authentic cheese you think it is.

The word "parmesan" literally means "from Parma,"and the surrounding provinces (including Reggio Emilia, Modena and parts of the provinces of Mantua and Bologna), but unless you're buying Parmigiano Reggiano, your cheese probably isn't actually coming from there.

The only way to really know that you're eating real Italian cheese from Parma is to eat Parmigiano Reggiano. That's why they call it the King of Cheese!

For me, this was totally a case of "you don't know what you don't know," but once you learn it, everything changes. I am now completely fearful of saying "Berenstain Bears" in public (because honestly, who says it like that??) and I'm now shopping for my cheese in a completely different way.

I'm also a tiny bit nervous that I'm going to start trying to school people in my grocery store's cheese section. But would that really be the worst thing? The mac and cheese bites recipe in this post would definitely not be the same without real Parmesan Reggiano!

HOW TO TELL IF PARMESAN CHEESE IS "REAL"

So, how can you tell if your parmesan cheese is legit? Aside from making sure it's labeled with the full name, there's another easy way to tell if you're buying the best cheese.

Parmigiano Reggiano Mac and Cheese Bites Recipe | We are not Martha (2)

Look for the "Parmigiano Reggiano" dot text on the side of the rind.

Parmigiano Reggiano Mac and Cheese Bites Recipe | We are not Martha (3)

I admit I had no idea that I could have been buying parmesan cheese that wasn't really parmesan. But I can now tell you that doing a side-by-side taste test of the American stuff versus the real Parmigiano Reggiano, the difference is unmistakeable. And once you notice that difference, you will always be able to tell when your parmesan isn't real.

I could eat Parmigiano Reggiano by the handful (please grate directly into my mouth!), but I decided to feature it in mac and cheese bites for this post. I wanted the Parmesan Reggiano to be the standout flavor, but also wanted to add a complementary flavor, so I decided to roast a head of garlic for these mac and cheese bites.

HOW TO MAKE ROASTED GARLIC MAC AND CHEESE BITES

These mac and cheese bites are super easy to make and perfect for serving as a party appetizer. You probably already know how to whip up a pot of mac and cheese... The only difference with this pot is that you'll spoon it into muffin tins instead of a casserole dish before baking.

But first you'll want to roast a glorious head of garlic. This is very easy to do and can also be done in a muffin tin.

Parmigiano Reggiano Mac and Cheese Bites Recipe | We are not Martha (4)

After making the mac and cheese and spooning it into a muffin tin, you'll want to sprinkle a little panko over the tops because what's mac and cheese without a little crunch?

Parmigiano Reggiano Mac and Cheese Bites Recipe | We are not Martha (5)

Usually when I make mac and cheese, I add in a few different cheeses, but I absolutely loved the way the Parmigiano Reggiano stood out in this mac and cheese bites recipe.

That's one thing I noticed about real parmesan cheese; its flavor is super robust and pronounced. A little bit goes a long way, but the more, the better for me!

Parmigiano Reggiano Mac and Cheese Bites Recipe | We are not Martha (6)

The roasted garlic is a really nice complement in this Parmigiano Reggiano recipe. In my mind, there's nothing worse than a bland mac and cheese, so I was loving these full-flavored bold mac and cheese bites and loved the complex flavor.

Mac and cheese you can grab as a snack and eat without a fork? One more thing that's blowing my mind. In a really good way.

Parmigiano Reggiano Mac and Cheese Bites Recipe | We are not Martha (7)

I know that it can be easier to buy the pre-grated cheese to save time when preparing dinner, but I urge you to buy a wedge of this delicious cheese and grate it yourself for these mac and cheese bites and anything you're adding parmesan to!

With a nice box grater, it's super easy to do and it really, really makes a difference in freshness and flavor. I love grated parmesan in so many different dishes, but especially when it's grated over pasta Also, did you know you can add the Parmigiano Reggiano rind to your homemade stock for added flavor? Worth it!

Parmigiano Reggiano Mac and Cheese Bites Recipe | We are not Martha (8)

I'm so happy I've been schooled on Italian cheese; my weekly (OK, sometimes daily) visits to my grocery store's cheese counter are forever changed. And so are my homemade mac and cheese bites.

Did you know Parmigiano Reggiano was the only real parmesan? Have you recently learned something about food that blew your mind?

Want more great Parmigiano Reggiano recipes? This Jalapeño Lemon Parmesan Popcorn is the best snack and this Meatball Flatbread with Parmesan Peppercorn Crust makes for a delicious meal. And these Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Parmesan from Noshing with the Nolands look absolutely incredible!

📖 Recipe

Parmigiano Reggiano Mac and Cheese Bites Recipe | We are not Martha (9)

Parmigiano Reggiano Roasted Garlic Mac and Cheese Bites

These mac and cheese bites are packed with flavor thanks to Parmigiano Reggiano cheese and roasted garlic. They're perfect for serving at parties or for a grab-and-go meal!

5 from 6 votes

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Course: Appetizer

Cuisine: American, Eclectic

Keyword: Finger Food, Mac and Cheese Recipes, Party Appetizers, Party Food

Prep Time: 30 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 50 minutes minutes

Total Time: 1 hour hour 15 minutes minutes

Makes: 12 bites

Author: Sues

Ingredients

  • 1 head garlic
  • 1 Tbsp olive oil
  • ½ lb elbow macaroni
  • 3 Tbsp unsalted butter, divided
  • 1 ½ Tbsp all-purpose flour
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • ¼ tsp black pepper
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 1 ½ cups shredded Parmigiano Reggiano cheese
  • cup panko
  • 2 tsp chopped parsley

Instructions

  • Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees.

  • Cut off top head of garlic to expose cloves just a little bit. Place garlic cut-side-up in the cavity of a muffin tin and rub olive oil over the exposed cloves. Wrap foil over the garlic.

  • Roast garlic for 30-35 minutes, until cloves are soft and golden. Remove from oven and let cool enough to handle. Once cooled, remove each clove of garlic by gently squeezing. Place in bowl and set aside.

  • Lower oven temperature to 375 degrees and spray a 12-cavity muffin tin lightly with cooking spray.

  • Boil elbow macaroni in a pot of lightly salted boiling water, about 2 minutes less than package recommends for al dente (the macaroni will finish cooking in the oven). Drain and set aside.

  • While macaroni is cooking, melt 2 Tbsp butter in a large saucepan over medium high heat. Whisk flour into butter until smooth, about 1 minute. Add salt and pepper.

  • While continuing to whisk, slowly pour milk into mixture. Stir for about 3 minutes as mixture thickens and comes to a simmer. Don't let mixture come to a full boil.

  • Lower heat to medium-low and stir in roasted garlic cloves and Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, until sauce is smooth.

  • Add macaroni to pot and stir to full coat pasta with sauce.

  • Melt remaining 1 Tbsp butter in a small bowl and stir in panko.

  • Evenly divide macaroni mixture among cavities in prepared muffin tin. Sprinkle panko mixture over the top and top with chopped parsley.

  • Bake for 15 minutes, until panko is golden. Let mac and cheese cups cool for about 5 minutes before removing from muffin tin and serving.

Share a Photo of Your Finished Recipe!Mention @wearenotmartha and share a photo if you've made the recipe!

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Parmigiano Reggiano Mac and Cheese Bites Recipe | We are not Martha (2024)

FAQs

Can I use Parmigiano Reggiano instead of Parmesan cheese? ›

Though you can theoretically substitute Parmigiano Reggiano with parmesan cheese, it's important to understand that parmesan is not genuine Parmigiano Reggiano. If a recipe calls for Parmigiano Reggiano, it's worth getting the real stuff.

Is Parmigiano Reggiano the same as shredded Parmesan? ›

The main differences between parmesan and Parmigiano-Reggiano are their aging processes and how their ingredients are regulated. For a cheese to be classified as Parmigiano-Reggiano, it must come from particular regions of Italy and contain only certain approved ingredients.

Is Parmigiano Reggiano crumbly? ›

(Parmigiano Reggiano) has a granular, crumbly structure – even though it is considered a “hard” cheese, if you stick the tip of a knife in it and twist it will break into irregular nuggets, much like a boulder shattered with a sledgehammer. The cheese contains tiny crunchy granules which give it a very unique texture.

What can you do with Parmigiano Reggiano? ›

  • Red onion, thyme and Parmigiano Reggiano tart. ...
  • Wafer of Parmigiano Reggiano with grilled pears, radicchio, nuts and honey. ...
  • Asparagus flans with Parmigiano Reggiano sauce. ...
  • Crispy Parmigiano Reggiano and sage ravioli. ...
  • Spinach and Parmigiano Reggiano muffins. ...
  • Parmigiano Reggiano fondue. ...
  • Parmigiano Reggiano puddings with saffron.

What is the difference between Parmesan cheese and Parmigiano Reggiano? ›

Parmigiano-Reggianos are aged at least two years. Parmesan cheese labeled stravecchio has been aged three years, while stravecchiones are four or more years old. Their complex flavor and extremely granular texture are a result of the long aging.

Which is better, Parmesan or Parmigiano Reggiano? ›

Ultimately, the flavor, texture, and complexity of true Parmigiano Reggiano is hard to beat and is worth seeking out—especially in cases where you'll be eating the cheese on its own. But, in a pinch, a high-quality Parmesan grated over a plate of pasta will certainly do the trick.

What makes Parmesan reggiano so special? ›

Parmigiano Reggiano is aged longer than ordinary cheeses, and aging is one of the reasons for its rich flavor and granular texture. Parmigiano Reggiano has a sharp, complex fruity/nutty taste with a strong savory flavor and a slightly gritty texture.

Does grated Parmesan melt like shredded Parmesan? ›

Because grated Parmesan melts quickly, it's optimally used sprinkled on pizza or soup (i.e. already prepared food), as well as in homemade pasta sauce recipes. Merlot, For a more artistic topping on salad, choose shaved or shredded Parmesan. It also provides texture to casseroles, risotto, and baked dishes.

Does Costco sell Parmigiano Reggiano? ›

Whole Wheel Parmigiano Reggiano, 72 lbs. Costco.

What is the best way to eat Parmigiano Reggiano? ›

Perhaps most important of all—the best way by far to enjoy Parmigiano Reggiano is always to break it into small rough-texture pieces. The eating experience is significantly more interesting because you get more cheese exposed to your tongue. The uneven surface allows you to experience the cheese's full complexity.

How long does Parmigiano Reggiano last in the fridge? ›

Duration of storage in refrigerator

Parmigiano Reggiano with a maturation of 12-18 months and a higher moisture content can be kept for about 15 days. Parmigiano Reggiano with a maturation of 24 months or more can be kept for about 1 month.

What are the crunchy bits in Parmigiano Reggiano? ›

The proteins in Parmesan cheese are composed of amino acids, including tyrosine. Over time, the tyrosine molecules bind together, forming small, crunchy crystals that give the cheese a unique texture. The crystals in Parmesan cheese can range in size from small, sand-like granules to larger, crunchy pieces.

Is Parmigiano Reggiano good for alfredo? ›

The short ingredient list—pasta, butter, and Parmesan—means this is the place to be choosy, particularly with the cheese. Parmigiano-Reggiano (look for its name stamped on the side) is the classic choice and will absolutely give you the best flavor, but there are less expensive substitutes.

How do Italians use Parmigiano Reggiano? ›

Excellent served on its own as snack or antipasto, Parmigiano Reggiano cheese can be grated over pasta and risotto, shaved atop salads, or stirred into soups, broths, and sauces to add depth of flavor.

What is the best substitute for Parmesan cheese? ›

Asiago cheese, especially aged Asiago, is a great melting cheese and makes a good Parmesan substitute for classic Italian-American dishes. It's got a nice bite and toasty woodsiness, and those flavors get sharper the longer Asiago ages. This cow's milk cheese is widely available and reasonably priced.

Can I use Parmigiano Reggiano instead of Parmesan in Alfredo sauce? ›

Fresh parmesan or Parmigiano-Reggiano are hands down your best options for flavor.

What can you substitute for Parmesan cheese in a recipe? ›

11 Best Ingredients for Parmesan Substitute
  • Grana Padano. Grana Padano is a cheese that is also made in Italy and resembles the strong nutty flavor you would get from Parmesan. ...
  • Asiago. ...
  • Pecorino Romano. ...
  • Mozzarella. ...
  • Manchego. ...
  • Sap Sago. ...
  • Cojita. ...
  • Aged White Cheddar.
Jan 4, 2023

What should I use instead of Parmesan? ›

Pecorino

Like Parmigiano Reggiano, pecorino is also a hard, aged Italian cheese, but it's made from sheep's milk instead of cow's milk ("pecora" means "sheep" in Italian). Pecorino can be a great substitute for Parmesan cheese, although the flavor of pecorino is less similar to Parmesan than the flavor of Grana Padano.

References

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