Cheeseburger Macaroni & Cheese

The Cheesecake Factory’s version doubles down on the cheese — fried mac and cheese patty AND cheddar cheese sauce.

Cheeseburger Macaroni & Cheese

• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Total Time: 50 minutes

Yield: 8 mac cheese

Ingredients

• 2 package Kraft Macaroni & Cheese, prepared
• 3 cups bread crumbs
• 2 tsp. dried basil
• 1 tsp. dried oregano
• 1 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon granulated garlic
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1 cup milk
• Oil for deep drying

Instructions

1. Prepare macaroni and cheese as directed. let it cool, then put it in the 9×13 pan with parchment paper, pressing down evenly. Cover and place in freezer for 2 hours or more, until needed.
2. Combine egg and milk in shallow dipping bowl. In a separate plate or large shallow bowl, combine bread crumbs, salt, oregano, peper flakes, oregano and garlic.
   Bring oil to 350-375.
3. Remove frozen macaroni from parchment and With a cup to cut out circles in the macaroni and cheese for use as buns. Dip each into egg wash, then coat with crumbs. Fry 5-6 in hot oil until both sides are golden brown. Remove from oil onto paper towels. Repeat until all macaroni has been used.
   With buns successfully made I put together the rest of the burger. (It ended up absolutely amazing with the mac and cheese!)