Patti Labelle’s Mac and Cheese

A comforting dish of cheesy macaroni with a golden-brown finish.

Patti Labelle’s Mac and Cheese

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 40

Patti Labelle’s Mac and Cheese is the ultimate comfort food with macaroni, Muenster, cheddar, Monterey Jack, Velveeta, butter, and half-and-half baked to golden, bubbly perfection.

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Servings

Ingredients

1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 pound elbow macaroni
8 tablespoons 1 stick butter, plus 1 tablespoon for topping
½ cup Muenster cheese shredded
½ cup mild cheddar cheese shredded
½ cup sharp cheddar cheese shredded
½ cup Monterey Jack cheese shredded
2 cups half-and-half
8 ounces Velveeta cheese cubed
2 large eggs lightly beaten
¼ teaspoon seasoned salt
⅛ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly butter a 2 ½-quart baking dish to prevent sticking and ensure a golden crust.
In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil. Add the macaroni and 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil to prevent sticking. Cook the macaroni until just tender, approximately 7 minutes. Drain well and return it to the pot.
Melt 8 tablespoons of butter in a small saucepan. Pour the melted butter over the cooked macaroni, stirring to evenly coat the pasta.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the shredded Muenster, mild cheddar, sharp cheddar, and Monterey Jack cheeses. Set aside ½ cup of the mixture for topping.
Add 1 ½ cups of the shredded cheese mixture, the cubed Velveeta, half-and-half, lightly beaten eggs, seasoned salt, and ground black pepper to the macaroni. Stir thoroughly to ensure the cheese begins to melt and the ingredients are evenly distributed.
Transfer the macaroni mixture into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the reserved ½ cup of shredded cheese evenly over the top. Dot the surface with the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter.
Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 30–35 minutes, or until the edges are golden and bubbling. Allow the dish to cool slightly before serving warm.

Notes

To make this recipe gluten-free, substitute the elbow macaroni with gluten-free pasta. Ensure the Velveeta cheese and seasonings are labeled gluten-free to avoid any cross-contamination. This adaptation maintains the creamy texture and rich flavor while accommodating gluten-free needs.

Nutrition

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