Macaroni Cheese Pies
Crispy on the Outside, Creamy on the Inside
Macaroni cheese pies combine two beloved comfort foods into one irresistible dish. Creamy, cheesy macaroni is wrapped in a golden, flaky crust, baked until crisp on the outside and gooey on the inside. These pies are perfect for lunches, parties, picnics, or as a fun twist on classic mac and cheese.
Portable, satisfying, and full of flavor, macaroni cheese pies are loved by kids and adults alike.
Why You’ll Love These Pies
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Creamy, cheesy filling
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Crispy pastry shell
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Great for make-ahead meals
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Perfect for parties and lunchboxes
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Freezer-friendly
Ingredients (Makes 8–10 small pies)
For the Macaroni Cheese Filling
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250 g (9 oz) macaroni pasta
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2 tbsp butter
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2 tbsp all-purpose flour
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2 cups milk
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2 cups grated cheddar cheese
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¼ cup grated Parmesan (optional)
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Salt and black pepper, to taste
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Pinch of paprika or mustard powder (optional)
For the Pies
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2 sheets ready-rolled puff pastry or shortcrust pastry
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1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
Instructions
1. Cook the Macaroni
Cook macaroni in salted boiling water until just al dente.
Drain well and set aside.
2. Make the Cheese Sauce
In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat.
Stir in flour and cook for 1 minute.
Gradually whisk in milk until smooth.
Cook, stirring, until thickened.
Remove from heat and stir in cheddar, Parmesan, salt, pepper, and paprika or mustard powder.
3. Combine
Stir cooked macaroni into the cheese sauce until fully coated.
Allow mixture to cool slightly—this helps with pie assembly.
4. Prepare the Pastry
Preheat oven to 200°C (400°F).
Cut pastry into circles to fit your pie tins or muffin pan.
Line each cavity with pastry, leaving a slight overhang.
5. Fill and Seal
Spoon macaroni cheese into each pastry case.
Cover with another pastry circle or fold edges over.
Brush tops with beaten egg.
6. Bake
Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until golden brown and crisp.
Allow to cool for 5 minutes before removing from tins.
Tips for Perfect Macaroni Cheese Pies
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Use strong cheddar for best flavor
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Let filling cool before filling pastry
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Don’t overfill pies
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Bake on the lower rack for crisp bottoms
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Chill assembled pies for 10 minutes before baking if pastry is soft
Variations
Bacon Mac & Cheese Pies
Add cooked, chopped bacon to the filling.
Three-Cheese Version
Use cheddar, mozzarella, and Gruyère.
Spicy Macaroni Cheese Pies
Add chili flakes or jalapeños.
Gluten-Free
Use gluten-free pasta and pastry.
Serving Suggestions
Macaroni cheese pies are delicious served with:
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Green salad
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Coleslaw
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Tomato relish or ketchup
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Pickles or chutney
Perfect for lunch, brunch, or party platters.
Storage & Freezing
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Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days
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Freeze unbaked or baked pies for up to 2 months
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Reheat in the oven for best texture
Why This Recipe Works
The creamy macaroni filling contrasts perfectly with the crisp pastry shell. Cooling the filling ensures the pies hold their shape, while baking at a high temperature creates golden, flaky crusts every time.
Final Thoughts
Macaroni cheese pies are the ultimate comfort-food mash-up. Crispy, creamy, and packed with cheesy goodness, they’re guaranteed to disappear fast—whether served at a party or enjoyed as a cozy meal at home.