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    Home » What We're Eating » Jack-O-Lantern Mac and Cheese Cups

    Jack-O-Lantern Mac and Cheese Cups

    Published: Oct 26, 2015 by Blair Lonergan

    Jump to Recipe
    Long collage image of Jack O Lantern Mac and Cheese Cups

    Treat your kids to a festive Halloween dinner with these Jack-O-Lantern Mac and Cheese Cups! Before they load up on candy or head out to trick-or-treat, fill up little tummies with an easy, tasty and FUN Halloween party food!

    A close up of a mac and cheese cup in a halloween pumpkin cup

    This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Horizon Organic. The opinions and text are all mine.

    Hi, friends! If you haven't noticed by now, we LOVE Halloween around here! It's BY FAR Keith's favorite holiday, and the boys have quickly learned to share in his excitement. In fact, I'm pretty sure that Gibbs and Casey have been plotting their costumes for about 6 months now!

    I love to spoil the kids on holidays and make them feel special by preparing some of their favorite foods in festive ways. Whether you're hosting a Halloween party for children or just serving a quick and easy dinner before your kids go trick-or-treating, these Jack-O-Lantern Mac & Cheese Cups will soon become a favorite.

    After all, when you're busy getting ready for a night of celebrations, the last thing that you need to worry about is slaving over a hot stove!

    Empty plastic cups with a halloween jack o lantern drawn on them

    How To Make Mac And Cheese Cups

    Here's the VERY simple 5-minute "recipe!"

    First, you'll need to grab a black permanent marker and some clear plastic cups. Draw Jack-O-Lantern faces on the side of your cups, or enlist your older children to help with the artwork!

    Slice part of a seedless cucumber into 2-inch spears (no peeling necessary!),

    cucumber chopped up on a wooden surface with a knife

    and cook your Horizon Classic Mac in the microwave! I love the microwaveable cups because they're ready in 2.5 minutes, and they are the perfect size for each of my boys. If you prefer to use the larger stove-top box, you will be able to fill two plastic serving cups with each box.

    Horizon Classic Mac and cheese packages on a wooden surface

    After your mac & cheese has a chance to cool for a few minutes, you can spoon it into the decorated cups, top with a cucumber "stem," and serve!

    A close up of Jack-O-Lantern Mac & Cheese Cups topped with cucumbers

    My three boys adore this stuff! While Gibbs was in school one day, my younger two hung over my shoulder as I snapped a few photos of the Jack-O-Lantern cups before letting them dig in.

    Boys Eating mac and cheese cups

    They were very happy campers, and I can assure you that this fun and easy meal idea will make a return appearance on Halloween day. I hope you'll share it with your family, too!

    A boy eating mac and cheese cups with a spoon

    Looking for even more fun ways to celebrate Halloween with your kids? Try these favorites:

    • Slow Cooker Pumpkin Chili
    • Jack-O-Lantern Smoothies
    • 4-Ingredient Monster Green Smoothies
    Print Pin
    5 from 1 vote

    Jack-O-Lantern Mac and Cheese Cups

    Fun and delicious mac and cheese cups that are perfect for halloween parties
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine American
    Keyword mac and cheese, party food
    Prep Time 5 minutes
    Cook Time 3 minutes
    0 minutes
    Total Time 8 minutes
    Servings 4 servings
    Calories 365kcal
    Author Blair Lonergan

    Ingredients

    • 4 (2.1 oz) cups microwaveable mac and cheese
    • ½ seedless cucumber, sliced into 2-inch spears
    • 4 clear plastic cups
    • 1 black permanent marker

    Instructions

    • Use marker to draw a Jack-O-Lantern face on the side of each plastic cup.
    • Cook macaroni & cheese cups in microwave according to package instructions.
    • Allow mac & cheese to cool for at least 5 minutes before transferring to plastic cups. If you put the hot pasta in the plastic cups when it's too hot, the plastic cup will warp!
    • Stick a cucumber spear in the top of each cup for the pumpkin's stem. Serve!

    Notes

    Scale this recipe to make as many mac and cheese cups as you need. If you're preparing cups for a big party, make a big box of mac and cheese on the stovetop and spoon into serving cups when ready to enjoy.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1cup | Calories: 365kcal | Carbohydrates: 51g | Protein: 13g | Fat: 11g | Sodium: 825mg | Potassium: 267mg | Vitamin A: 40IU | Vitamin C: 1.1mg | Calcium: 162mg | Iron: 2.3mg

    « Weekend Recap!
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Emily

      August 22, 2018 at 11:57 am

      5 stars
      What a fun idea for Halloween and so easy!

      Reply
      • Blair

        August 22, 2018 at 2:11 pm

        Thanks!

        Reply
    2. Tina

      October 31, 2020 at 2:32 pm

      While I used this recipe as inspiration, I used a scratch macaroni recipe...not to self - we warped the poor Jack-o-lantern! 😛 https://photos.app.goo.gl/Q1ip4droxNXeRCYq6

      Reply

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    Hey, I'm Blair!

    Welcome to my farmhouse kitchen in the foothills of Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains. Inspired by local traditions and seasonal fare, you'll find plenty of easy, comforting recipes that bring your family together around the table. It's down-home, country-style cooking!

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