Description
Monster Mac and Cheese is a fun, spooky twist on classic mac and cheese, featuring green-dyed pasta, a creamy cheddar and cream cheese sauce, and edible mozzarella ‘eyeballs’—perfect for Halloween parties or family dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound (16 oz) elbow macaroni or small shells
- Green food coloring (gel or liquid)
- Salt, for boiling water
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup cream cheese, softened
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 cups whole milk
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Mini mozzarella balls (bocconcini or ciliegine size)
- Sliced black olives
- Chives or green onions, chopped
- Optional: red bell pepper strips
- Optional: pretzel sticks
- Optional: candy eyes (remove before eating)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook according to package directions (8-10 minutes). Drain and rinse briefly under cool water.
- Return drained pasta to the pot. Add green food coloring (start with 1/4 teaspoon gel or 10 drops liquid) and stir until evenly colored.
- In a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute.
- Slowly whisk in milk until smooth. Add cream cheese and stir until melted.
- Add cheddar cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Whisk until sauce is thick and creamy (about 4-5 minutes).
- Pour cheese sauce over green pasta and stir gently to coat.
- Spoon mixture into a 9×13-inch baking dish and smooth the top.
- Press mini mozzarella balls into the pasta for ‘eyeballs.’ Top each with a sliced olive ‘pupil.’ Scatter chives or green onions for ‘monster hair,’ and add bell pepper strips or pretzel sticks for ‘tongues’ or ‘horns.’
- Bake for 15-20 minutes, until bubbly and golden at the edges.
- Let cool for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
For gluten-free, use GF pasta and flour. Dairy-free cheese and milk work for allergies. Let kids help with monster toppings for extra fun. Rinse pasta briefly after boiling to set color. If prepping ahead, assemble and refrigerate, then bake before serving. Add a splash of milk when reheating leftovers to keep sauce creamy.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1 cup
- Calories: 375
- Sugar: 4
- Sodium: 550
- Fat: 18
- Saturated Fat: 10
- Carbohydrates: 28
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 15
Keywords: Halloween, mac and cheese, monster, kids, party, cheesy, spooky, easy, comfort food