Mac and Cheese Crescent Rings (Printable Version)

Flaky crescent rings filled with creamy cheddar macaroni for a craveable, shareable snack or appetizer.

# What You'll Need:

→ Mac and Cheese Filling

01 - 1 1/2 cups elbow macaroni
02 - 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
03 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
04 - 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
05 - 1 cup whole milk
06 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
07 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
08 - 1/4 teaspoon paprika (optional)

→ Crescent Dough & Assembly

09 - 2 (8 oz) cans refrigerated crescent roll dough (16 triangles total)
10 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
11 - 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)

# Steps to Follow:

01 - Preheat oven to 375°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - Boil elbow macaroni according to package directions until al dente. Drain thoroughly and set aside.
03 - In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt butter. Whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly.
04 - Gradually whisk in milk, stirring continuously until sauce is smooth and thickened, about 2–3 minutes.
05 - Remove saucepan from heat. Stir in salt, black pepper, paprika, and 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar until cheese is fully melted.
06 - Add drained macaroni to cheese sauce and mix until well coated. Allow mixture to cool slightly.
07 - Unroll crescent dough triangles and arrange in a circle on prepared sheet, overlapping wide ends to form a ring with points facing outward.
08 - Spoon mac and cheese evenly around the ring, placing filling near the base of each triangle.
09 - Sprinkle remaining 1/2 cup cheddar cheese evenly over the mac and cheese filling.
10 - Fold triangle points over the filling and tuck under the ring to secure.
11 - Brush top of ring with melted butter. Bake for 18–20 minutes, until golden brown and crisp.
12 - Allow rings to cool for 5 minutes. Garnish with chopped parsley if desired, then slice and serve warm.

# Additional Tips::

01 -
  • Uses simple ingredients you likely have on hand
  • Kid-friendly and guaranteed crowd pleaser
  • Perfect for potlucks, game day or cozy nights in
  • Hands-on and fun to shape
  • Ready in under an hour from start to finish
02 -
  • High in comforting cheesy flavor and kid appeal
  • Easy to adapt for different tastes or dietary needs
  • Bakes up golden brown with irresistible cheese pulls
03 -
  • Do not overcook the pasta since it will continue to soften while baking
  • Shred your own cheese for smoother melting and better taste
  • Take time to seal the dough well so each slice holds its cheesy center

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