Maple Meatballs Breakfast Mac and Cheese Recipe

This extraordinary Maple Meatballs Breakfast Mac and Cheese transforms your first meal of the day into something truly spectacular! Imagine waking up to creamy, cheesy pasta topped with maple-cherry glazed breakfast sausage meatballs and perfectly baked eggs. It’s a breakfast revolution that combines comfort, indulgence, and a touch of maple sweetness all in one skillet!

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Creamy Stovetop Mac and Cheese:

• Cavatappi or Elbow macaroni: These pasta shapes beautifully catch and hold the creamy cheese sauce in every bite.
• Butter: Creates the rich base for your cheese sauce and adds that unmistakable golden flavor.
• Egg yolks: Secret ingredient that brings incredible richness and silky texture to the cheese sauce.
• Milk: Provides the perfect creamy consistency without making the sauce too heavy.
• Dry mustard: Adds a subtle tang that balances the richness and enhances the cheese flavor without tasting “mustardy.”
• Cheese: A good sharp cheddar works wonderfully, but feel free to mix in some Gruyère or Gouda for depth of flavor.

For the Cherry Maple Meatballs:

• Garlic cloves: Adds aromatic depth to the meatballs that pairs beautifully with the sweet elements.
• Seasonings (salt, pepper, black pepper blend): Essential flavor foundations that enhance the sausage.
• Girl Carnivore Egg Blend: Adds complexity and helps bind the meatballs; substitute with a pinch of paprika and garlic powder if unavailable.
• Sage and thyme: Classic breakfast sausage herbs that complement the maple syrup perfectly.
• Cherry preserves: Provides surprising fruity sweetness and helps create a gorgeous glaze.
• Maple syrup: The star sweetener that transforms ordinary meatballs into breakfast perfection.
• Country breakfast sausage: Already seasoned with breakfast spices, making it the perfect protein foundation.

For Assembly:

• Eggs: Creates stunning golden pockets of richness throughout the dish.
• Parsley: Adds fresh color and a peppery contrast to the rich flavors.
• Salt and pepper: Final seasoning adjustments for perfect balance.

Variations

Protein Switches

Swap the breakfast sausage for ground turkey mixed with maple syrup and sage for a lighter option, or use plant-based breakfast sausage for a vegetarian twist.

Cheese Adventures

Try smoked Gouda for a more complex flavor profile, or add some pepper jack for a spicy kick that balances the sweet maple elements.

Seasonal Twists

• Fall Harvest: Add diced apple to the meatballs and substitute apple butter for the cherry preserves.
• Spring Fresh: Incorporate chopped spinach into the mac and cheese and top with fresh chives instead of parsley.
• Summer Special: Use blueberry preserves instead of cherry and add fresh blueberries as garnish.

How to Make Maple Meatballs Breakfast Mac and Cheese

Step 1: Prepare the Pasta

Cook your pasta in generously salted water until just al dente (it will continue cooking in the oven). Drain well and rinse briefly to stop the cooking process.

Step 2: Create the Cheese Sauce

Return your pot to low heat and melt the butter until just bubbling. Whisk in egg yolks, milk, and dry mustard until smooth. This creates your flavor base. Gradually add cheese, stirring continuously until melted and velvety. Fold in your cooked pasta, ensuring every piece is gloriously coated.

Step 3: Form the Meatballs

In a large bowl, combine all meatball ingredients. Use your hands to gently mix everything together – don’t overmix or you’ll end up with tough meatballs! Form into roughly 28 small meatballs, about an inch in diameter.

Step 4: Cook the Meatballs

Heat a large oven-safe skillet over medium heat. Working in batches to avoid crowding, cook the meatballs, turning frequently until browned on all sides and cooked to 160°F internal temperature, about 15 minutes total. Transfer to a plate lined with paper towels.

Step 5: Assemble and Bake

Preheat your oven to 350°F. Combine the mac and cheese with about 12 meatballs and transfer to your skillet. Create four little wells in the surface using the back of a spoon – these will cradle your eggs. Crack eggs into each depression, sprinkle with additional cheese, and bake for 25 minutes until the eggs are set and everything is bubbling with joy.

Step 6: Garnish and Serve

Top your masterpiece with remaining meatballs, fresh parsley, and a final sprinkle of salt and pepper. Serve immediately while the eggs are perfectly set and the cheese is molten.

How to Serve

This magnificent breakfast creation deserves to be the centerpiece of your table! Serve it directly from the skillet for a rustic presentation that keeps everything warm.

Perfect Pairings:

• Fresh fruit salad with berries and mint for a refreshing contrast
• Simple arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette to cut through the richness
• Toasted sourdough bread for sopping up the magnificent sauce and egg yolks
• Spicy Bloody Marys or mimosas for a complete brunch experience

Serving Style:

For individual portions, create mini versions in ramekins with a single egg on top – perfect for personalized brunches!

Make Ahead and Storage

Preparing Components Ahead:

You can prepare the meatballs and mac and cheese separately up to a day ahead. Store refrigerated in separate containers, then assemble and add eggs just before baking.

Storing Leftovers:

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The eggs won’t remain runny upon reheating, but the flavor will still be fantastic.

Freezing:

The mac and cheese with meatballs (minus the eggs) freezes beautifully for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then reheat and add fresh eggs if desired.

Reheating:

Reheat portions in the microwave for 1-2 minutes or in a 350°F oven until warmed through, about 15-20 minutes. Add a splash of milk if the sauce needs loosening.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

This Maple Meatballs Breakfast Mac and Cheese transforms the ordinary into the extraordinary, proving that breakfast truly can be the most exciting meal of the day. The combination of creamy cheese sauce, sweet-savory meatballs, and perfectly baked eggs creates a symphony of flavors that will have everyone at your table asking for the recipe. Whether for a special weekend brunch or a “breakfast for dinner” evening, this dish delivers comfort, creativity, and pure deliciousness with every bite!

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