If there is a comfort food for teens, it’s mac and cheese. Spenser and Shelbi absolutely love it! These little mac-and-cheese cups are both fun to make and great to eat. Adding panko bread crumbs creates a nice crunch that will satisfy adults as well.

　　

Ingredients

makes 12 cups

　　8 ounces elbow macaroni

　　Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

　　3 tablespoons butter, plus more for greasing

　　1 small shallot, finely chopped

　　2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

　　2 cups whole milk, warm

　　1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

　　2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

　　1/2 cup panko bread crumbs

　　

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter a twelve-cup muffin tin.

　　

Step 2

Cook the pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water until al dente, then drain in a colander.

　　

Step 3

Melt the butter in a large saucepan. Add the shallot, and sauté until tender, about 3 minutes. Add the flour, and stir until it thickens and reaches a golden-blond color, about 2 minutes. Slowly whisk in the warm milk, bringing up to a simmer, and stir until it thickens. Stir in mustard, and season with salt and pepper. Let the sauce simmer on low heat for 5 minutes, until thick enough to coat the back of a spoon. Stir in the cheese a handful at a time, then stir in the cooked macaroni.

　　

Step 4

Divide the macaroni among the cups in the muffin tin, and sprinkle with bread crumbs. Bake for 15 minutes, or until they’re nicely golden brown on top. Let them rest for 5 minutes, then slide a knife around the edges to remove from the muffin tin, and serve.

　　Reprinted with permission from The Neelys' Celebration Cookbook by Pat and Gina Nelly. Copyright © 2011 by Pat and Gina Nelly with Anna Volkwein. Excerpted by permission of Knopf, a division of Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.Pat and Gina Neely are restaurateurs, best-selling authors, popular speakers, and hosts of the Food Network hit series Down Home with the Neelys. They recently opened their first New York City restaurant, Neely's Barbecue Parlor. They live with their daughters in Memphis, where they enjoy cooking at home with family and friends.Ann Volkwein is a best-selling food and lifestyle author based in New York City and Austin, Texas. Her previous books include: The Arthur Avenue Cookbook, Chinatown New York, Mixt Greens (with Andrew Swallow), and, with Guy Fieri: Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives; More Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives; and Guy Fieri Food.