Baked Macaroni and Cheese Cupcakes

1

Ingredients

  • Vegetable cooking spray
  • 140g dried bread crumbs, divided
  • 1 tbsp olive oil, plus extra for drizzling
  • 250g ground turkey or chicken, preferably dark meat
  • 1/2 tsp salt, plus extra for seasoning
  • 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper, plus extra for seasoning
  • 250g small pasta, such as pennette, shells or elbows
  • 200g grated Parmesan
  • 150g grated white Cheddar
  • 125g cherry tomatoes, quartered
  • 150g chopped broccoli, blanched*
  • 500g asparagus, cut into 3-cm pieces, blanched

Use imperial measurements

Method

How to make Baked Macaroni and Cheese Cupcakes

Preheat the oven to 190°C/gas Mark 5. Spray 2 (12-cup) muffin or cupcake pans with vegetable cooking spray. Using 70g of the bread crumbs, coat the inside of each muffin cup with bread crumbs, shaking off any excess.

In a medium skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the ground turkey or chicken, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper, Cook, stirring frequently, until cooked through, about 5 to 8 minutes. Set aside and cover to keep warm.

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook until tender but still firm to the bite, stirring occasionally, about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain and add to a large bowl. Stir in the cooked turkey and the cheeses. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Spoon the prepared pasta mixture into the cupcake moulds, filling evenly to about 2/3 full. Arrange a few pieces of tomato, broccoli and asparagus into each cup. Top with a thin layer of the remaining bread crumbs and drizzle with olive oil.

Bake until golden brown, about 15 to 20 minutes. Let cool for a few minutes and carefully unmould with a spoon onto a serving platter.

*Cook's Note: To blanch vegetables, bring a large saucepan of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the vegetables and cook for 1 to 2 minutes until very crisp. Using a small strainer, remove the vegetables and immediately plunge into a bowl of iced water. Drain and use.

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