Mac and Cheese Stuffed Fried Zucchini
Try this Mac and Cheese Stuffed Fried Zucchini recipe, or contribute your own.
Try this Mac and Cheese Stuffed Fried Zucchini recipe, or contribute your own.
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1/4 cup flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt and pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- toothpicks
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/4 teaspoon mustard powder
- 1 pound elbow pasta
- 2 3/4 cups warm milk (i used 2%)
- 2 1/2 cups sharp cheddar cheese shredded
- 1 cup fontina cheese shredded (add an extra 1/4 cup...if you want!)
- 1 1/4 cups havarti cheese shredded
- zucchini:
- 1 1/3 cups freshly grated parmesan cheese
- 1 1/2 cups panko bread crumbs
- 3 eggs beaten
- 3 medium zucchini sliced into 1/4 inch rounds*
- Carbohydrate 19.6046508312724 g
- Cholesterol 44.0439901430555 mg
- Fat 10.4483285933654 g
- Fiber 0.587170451991578 g
- Protein 10.5843330620545 g
- Saturated Fat 6.17814530926325 g
- Serving Size 1 1 -30 FRIED MAC AND CHEESE STUFFED ZUCCHINI SAMMIES (94g)
- Sodium 285.600594892415 mg
- Sugar 19.0174803792808 g
- Trans Fat 0.77293500635011 g
- Calories 214 calories
Step-by-step
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Boil the pasta until al-dente. Drain.
- In the same pot you boiled the pasta in, melt the 4 tablespoons butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour. Reduce the heat to medium-low and let cook/bubble for 1 minute, stirring once or twice to avoid burning. Gradually whisk in the milk and raise the heat up to medium-high. Bring the mixture to a boil, whisking frequently until the sauce has thickened, about 2-3 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in all of the cheese, mustard powder, cayenne, salt and pepper. Stir until the cheese is fully melted. Stir in the pasta and transfer to the prepared baking dish. Cover the mac and cheese and refrigerate 1-2 hours or overnight.
- In a shallow pie plate or bowl, toss together the parmesan cheese, bread crumbs, flour, salt and pepper. In another separate bowl whisk together the eggs.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place your zucchini rounds in stacks of two. Grab one zucchini round, now scoop out about 1 tablespoon of mac and cheese, place the mac and cheese on top of the bottom round. Now add the top round like you would a sandwich. You want the mac and cheese to just fit inside the rounds. Push down slightly on the top slice of zucchini to secure the mac and cheese in between the slices. Place on the baking sheet and repeat with the remaining slices of zucchini. You will not use all of the mac and cheese.
- Using your hands grab one zucchini sandwich at a time and dip it into the eggs. Make sure to coat the sandwich fully in eggs. It's gonna slip all over the place, but just do your best. Once the zucchini is coated in egg, stick a toothpick through the middle to secure everything in place. Dip the zucchini through the bread crumb mixture until completely coated all around. Make sure the mac and cheese that is not covered by zucchini gets coated as well. Place back on the baking sheet and repeat the process until all the zucchini sandwiches have been breaded. Place the tray in the fridge while you heat the oil. If it is hot in your kitchen and the mac and cheese seems warm, keep the zucchini in the fridge until the mac and cheese is firm again, about 30 minutes.
- Heat a few inches of oil (enough to submerge the zucchini's) in a heavy bottom high sided skillet or pot to 350 degrees F.
- Once hot, remove the zucchini's from the fridge and place only a few at time in the oil. Fry for for 1-2 minutes, flipping throughout cooking if need. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Repeat with the remaining zucchini sandwich. Eat while hot!
My Unexpected Culinary Journey: Mac and Cheese Stuffed Fried Zucchini
As a busy working mom, finding time to cook healthy and delicious meals is a constant challenge. My days are a whirlwind of deadlines, school runs, and after-school activities. Weekends are usually dedicated to catching up on chores and spending quality time with my family. So, when I stumble upon a recipe that's both satisfying and surprisingly simple, it becomes an instant win. That's exactly how I felt when I discovered this Mac and Cheese Stuffed Fried Zucchini recipe. Initially, I was hesitant; the idea of frying zucchini seemed a bit unusual, but oh boy, was I wrong!
The beauty of this recipe lies in its versatility. It's a perfect blend of comfort food and healthy eating. Zucchini, a low-calorie vegetable packed with nutrients, forms the base. The crispy, golden-brown exterior gives way to a creamy, cheesy interior – the perfect match. It's the ultimate fusion of unexpected flavors and textures, a delightful culinary journey in every bite. The kids adore them, and even my picky husband has seconds. That's a testament to how good this recipe is! And let's not forget the incredible aroma it fills your kitchen with - warm, cheesy, and utterly irresistible.
The process itself is remarkably straightforward. I usually prep the mac and cheese the night before, allowing the flavors to meld beautifully. This saves precious time in the morning. Assembling and frying the zucchini is a relaxing task, a small moment of mindfulness amidst the chaos of daily life. The satisfying crunch as I bite into these golden nuggets provides a small but significant burst of joy. It’s more than just a meal; it's a brief escape, a moment of pure culinary bliss.
This recipe has become a regular feature in our family’s culinary calendar, a welcome addition to our otherwise hectic schedule. It’s a reminder that even amidst the pressures of modern life, we can still find time to create delicious, memorable meals. The process of making this dish has brought an unexpected sense of calm and satisfaction – a perfect balance of creativity and ease. It proves that cooking doesn't have to be stressful. It can be an enjoyable, fulfilling experience, especially when the outcome is as scrumptious as this Mac and Cheese Stuffed Fried Zucchini.
Beyond the recipe itself, this dish has become a symbol of something more: a celebration of simplicity, a testament to the power of creativity in the kitchen, and a reminder that even on the busiest of days, there's always room for a little bit of culinary joy. This recipe isn’t just about making a delicious meal; it's about creating memories and strengthening bonds over a shared plate of food. It's about slowing down, even if just for a little while, and appreciating the simple things in life, one crispy, cheesy bite at a time.
I encourage you to try this recipe. It’s a game-changer, a reminder that healthy eating doesn't have to be boring, and that even the simplest ingredients can create an extraordinary culinary experience. So, gather your ingredients, put on some music, and let the deliciousness unfold. You won't be disappointed!
