Let’s be honest. The only thing more comforting than a good meatball is a big bowl of mac ‘n cheese. Thankfully, Daniel Holzman, owner of The Meatball Shop, has invented a way for you to have both at the exact same time. And he came down to the Spoon University office to show us how to make it – hack style. Brace yourself for mac ‘n cheese meatballs.

This is episode 4 of our newest video series in collaboration with Food & Wine called, “The College Try.” We challenge our favorite, most adventurous chefs to create awesome food with typical college cooking equipment and ingredients. The results are pretty epic, so you should definitely start making the most of that dorm room life. Game on. (Check out Episode 1 to learn how to make mezcal worm salt.)

Mac 'n Cheese Meatballs

  • Prep Time:20 minutes
  • Cook Time:12 minutes
  • Total Time:32 minutes
  • Servings:6
  • Medium

    Ingredients

  • 10 cup water
  • 2 boxes macaroni
  • 3 tablespoon butter
  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 1/2 lb cheddar cheese
  • 1 egg
  • 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
  • 1 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 2 cup milk
  • 1 packet cheese powder from mac n cheese package
Photo by Max Bartick
  • Step 1

    Add both boxes of macaroni to a coffee pot.

    Gif by Max Bartick
  • Step 2

    Pour water into coffee pot and brew the water over the macaroni.

    Gif by Max Bartick
  • Step 3

    Add 1 tbsp butter to the mac.

    Gif by Max Bartick
  • Step 4

    Set your mac aside and add milk to the coffee pot.

    Gif by Max Bartick
  • Step 5

    Add 2 tbsp butter to the milk.

    Gif by Max Bartick
  • Step 6

    Turn your ‘keep-warm’ setting to high on your coffee machine to melt the butter.

    Gif by Max Bartick
  • Step 7

    Add ground beef, cheddar cheese, egg, breadcrumbs, salt, and macaroni to a bowl. Mix thoroughly.

    Gif by Max Bartick
  • Step 8

    Mold your mixture into 2-inch wide balls.

    Gif by Max Bartick
  • Step 9

    Place balls onto a greased baking sheet and bake in a toaster oven at 450ºF for 12 minutes.

    Gif by Max Bartick
  • Step 10

    Whisk cheese powder into the milk and butter mixture from before to make cheese sauce.

    Gif by Max Bartick
  • Step 11

    Plate the meatballs on top of a layer of cheese sauce.

    Gif by Max Bartick
  • Step 12

    Chow down.

    Gif by Max Bartick