Patti LaBelle's Macaroni and Cheese Recipe (2024)

Published on: March 9, 2021

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If you’re looking for a meal that’s sure to be a hit, look no further than Patti LaBelle’s macaroni and cheese recipe!

Patti LaBelle is not just an award-winning singer, she’s a pretty impressive home cook, as well. Case in point: her ridiculously delectable macaroni and cheese.

Think you’ve nailed the perfect mac and cheese recipe? I’ll bet this one will change your mind.

Oozing with four different kinds of cheese, Patti LaBelle definitely knows a thing or two about comfort food.

Patti LaBelle's Macaroni and Cheese Recipe (1)

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Patti LaBelle’s Macaroni and Cheese

Mac and cheese is the quintessential comfort food. How can you go wrong with pasta and cheese? It’s such a feel-good dish that one bowl is enough to cure the blues.

While I have no qualms about the classic mac and cheese, I enjoy it more when baked. It’s why Patti LaBelle’s recipe ranks at the top.

Something magical happens to cheese as it bakes.

It turns into a beautiful golden brown and forms a crisp crust that contrasts wonderfully with the firm pasta and ooey-gooey sauce.

The best part is that it’s a snap to make. There’s no need to make a roux. The rich ingredients in this recipe alone are enough to make a thick sauce.

Ingredients

  • Macaroni. The “mac” in mac and cheese.
  • Butter. For added richness. Use unsalted butter because the sauce is already pretty loaded with salt.
  • Cheeses. A combo of Muenster, mild cheddar, sharp cheddar, Monterey Jack, and Velveeta. Talk about a quadruple threat! To say that this mac and cheese is cheesy is an understatement.
  • Half-and-half. The liquid that makes up the sauce. You can also use whole milk.
  • 8 Ounces Velveeta Cheese, Cubed
  • Eggs. The binding ingredient used to thicken the sauce.
  • Salt and Pepper. To taste.

Tips for the Best Mac & Cheese

  • Shred your own cheese. Sure, using pre-shredded cheese is a lot easier, but it contains cellulose, an anti-caking agent that prevents the cheese from melting at its best.

If you grate the cheese yourself, not only will you get wonderfully melted cheese, you’ll also save a few bucks.

  • Mac and cheese calls for regular elbow macaroni pasta, but feel free to have fun with it! Any small, tubular pasta shells will work.
  • If you’re using elbow macaroni, go for the big ones. That way, the shells will get stuffed generously with the sauce. Yum!
  • Undercook the pasta for the perfect al dente consistency. Remember that you’ll bake it for 30 minutes, which means it will cook further in the oven. Once cooked, drain the pasta immediately and rinse in cold water to stop the cooking process.
  • If you have over-cooked the pasta by accident, here’s a simple fix: coat it with butter before baking. The coating will prevent the pasta from absorbing liquid during baking, stopping it from softening further.
  • You’re already making something sinful anyway, so why not go all-in? Wondering how to make your mac and cheese even better? Add bacon or ham!.
  • Spice it up with jalapenos, sriracha, or red chili flakes.
  • Be sure to taste as you go, especially if you plan on customizing the recipe. Add more or less of whatever ingredient you want to please your taste buds.
  • Do not overbake the mac and cheese, otherwise, the macaroni will be too mushy. Stop once the top is golden and the cheeses start to bubble.
  • Resist the temptation! Let the mac and cheese rest for a while before serving. This will allow the flavors to marry, giving you an even more irresistible meal.
  • Cover leftover mac and cheese (although I highly doubt you’ll have any) in plastic wrap and store it in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Patti LaBelle's Macaroni and Cheese Recipe (2)

Best Cheese Options

There is no such thing as wrong cheese. When making mac and cheese, you can use whatever type of cheese and you’ll still end up with a pretty epic dish.

Patti LaBelle’s version already has a ton of cheese in it, but here are more top-notch cheeses to try:

  • Gruyere
  • Swiss
  • Mozzarella
  • Parmesan
  • Bleu Cheese (just a bit, though, because the flavor is really sharp.)
  • Gouda
  • Brie
  • Cream Cheese
  • Goat Cheese
  • Colby Jack

Ideas for Serving

The beauty of mac and cheese is that you can serve it either as a side or a main dish. To complete your meal, pair mac and cheese with these scrumptious dishes:

  • If you find it too rich, balance it out with a refreshing salad. Use a bright vinaigrette dressing to contrast the cheesy dish.
  • Here’s another light dish to counteract the heavy dish: roasted vegetables. Choose from broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, and asparagus. You can mix and match, too!
  • Looking for something meaty? Pick from oven-fried chicken, ham, turkey, pork chops, pulled pork, or steak.

More Mac and Cheese Recipes to Try

Cracker Barrel Mac and Cheese
Trisha Yearwood’s Mac and Cheese

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Patti LaBelle's Macaroni and Cheese Recipe (3)

Patti LaBelle’s Macaroni and Cheese Recipe

Servings

8

servings

Cooking time

45

minutes

Calories

632

kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil

  • 1 pound macaroni

  • 9 tablespoons butter, separated

  • 1/2 cup Muenster cheese, shredded

  • 1/2 cup mild cheddar cheese, shredded

  • 1/2 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded

  • 1/2 cup Monterey Jack cheese, shredded

  • 2 cups half-and-half

  • 8 ounces Velveeta cheese, cubed

  • 2 eggs, beaten

  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

  • 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground pepper

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Grease a deep, 2 1/2-quart baking dish with butter.
  • Fill a large pot with water. Mix in the vegetable oil and bring to a boil. Add the macaroni and cook until al dente, about 7 minutes. Drain well and rinse with cold water.
  • Melt 8 tablespoons of butter in the microwave or a saucepan. Pour the butter into the macaroni and stir.
  • In a large bowl, combine the shredded Muenster, mild cheddar, sharp cheddar, and Monterey Jack cheeses.
  • Add 1 1/2 cups of the cheeses to the macaroni. Stir in the half-and-half, Velveeta, and eggs; season with salt and pepper.
  • Transfer the mac and cheese into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of shredded cheese evenly. Top with the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter.
  • Bake for 30 to 35 minutes or until the top turns golden brown and the cheeses start to bubble. Serve hot. Enjoy!
Patti LaBelle's Macaroni and Cheese Recipe (4)

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Patti LaBelle's Macaroni and Cheese Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What cheeses does Patti Labelle use for mac and cheese? ›

In a small saucepan, melt 8 tablespoons of the butter. Stir into the macaroni. In a large bowl, mix the Muenster, mild and sharp Cheddar, and Monterey Jack cheeses. To the macaroni, add the half-and-half, 1 1/2 cups of the shredded cheese, the cubed Velveeta, and the eggs.

How does Gordon Ramsay make the best mac and cheese? ›

Preparation
  1. In a large pot over medium heat, combine the pasta and milk. ...
  2. Once the pasta is cooked, remove the pan from the heat and add the butter, cheddar cheese, salt, and pepper. ...
  3. Divide between serving bowls and top with the bread crumbs.
  4. Enjoy!
  5. All your favorite recipes, stored in one place.
May 4, 2023

What's the best cheeses for macaroni and cheese? ›

Gruyere is a classic addition because it melts much like Cheddar, but has a lovely nutty flavor. Other classics include Gouda, Muenster, Parmesan, fontina, Havarti and Monterey Jack. Brie works well too, just make sure you remove the rind before mixing it in.

What Mac n cheese does Texas Roadhouse use? ›

YES, they serve KRAFT macaroni and cheese. I chose this as a side dish and I do like this mac n' cheese, but not while dining out. I was shocked when the boxed dish arrived. I expected to see and taste a homemade version, but it was a cold version of the Kraft.

What's in Bob Evans mac and cheese? ›

Cooked Enriched Pasta (Water, Elbow Macaroni [Semolina (Wheat), Niacin, Iron (Ferrous Sulfate), Thiamin Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid]), Milk, Water, Pasteurized Process Cheese Spread (American Cheese [Pasteurized Milk, Cheese Culture, Salt, Enzymes], Water, Whey, Sodium Phosphate, Contains Less than 2% of ...

What can I add to mac n cheese to make it better? ›

8 Ways to Elevate Your Macaroni and Cheese Dinners
  1. Add extra cheese to your dish.
  2. Mix in some hot sauce and chicken to make buffalo chicken mac n' cheese.
  3. Add in vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower and spinach.
  4. Sprinkle some bacon bits or breadcrumbs on the top of your dish.
  5. Add spices and fresh herbs to your dish.
May 21, 2022

Why add milk to mac and cheese? ›

The use of milk makes the pasta itself creamier, and reserving it keeps any starch washed off the pasta in the milk, which is then used to make the sauce. Some milk is absorbed into the pasta as it cooks, but you need to reserve enough to make your sauce.

Why do people put sour cream in mac and cheese? ›

But why add it to mac and cheese? Tastessence says that sour cream is the perfect ingredient to substitute for milk when making mac and cheese without sacrificing taste and texture. If anything, it will give your pasta a creamier, richer flavor.

How do you cook Bob Evans mac and cheese? ›

Peel back corner or cut a small slit in film to vent. Microwave on high power for 1.25 - 1.5 minutes. * Completely remove film and stir. Let product stand for 2 minutes prior to serving.

What is the best cheese according to chefs? ›

24 Cheeses These Chefs Always Have in Their Fridges
  • Gouda. "At home, we have many aged cheeses to snack on in the fridge. ...
  • Bianco Sardo. "At Saint Theo's, we always keep Bianco Sardo stocked in our fridge. ...
  • Mimolette. ...
  • Raclette. ...
  • Camembert. ...
  • Mobay. ...
  • Mozzarella.
Sep 11, 2023

What kind of milk is best for mac and cheese? ›

Milk: Keeps our cheese sauce super creamy. I use whole milk or reduced-fat milk. Mustard and spices: A combination of Dijon mustard, nutmeg, cayenne pepper, black pepper, and salt makes this macaroni and cheese extra delicious. Cheese: I use white cheddar and parmesan or pecorino cheese.

What is the best melting cheese for mac and cheese? ›

  • Monterey Jack is perhaps the ultimate melting cheese.
  • Fontina is a crowd-pleasing melter that was born to pair with pasta.
  • Baby swiss has a natural creaminess that is perfect for mac & cheese.
  • Mozzarella is the classic melter pairs well with any pasta.

What pasta makes the best mac and cheese? ›

Avoid long, thin shapes like spaghetti or linguine. Elbow enthusiasts should also note that there's a new kid in town: Cavatappi, a curly, ribbed noodle that's longer than an elbow, may very well be the platonic ideal for baked macaroni and cheese.

What does Muenster cheese taste like? ›

American muenster is a semi-soft cheese with a creamy white color, an orange rind and a mild, slightly nutty/buttery flavor that develops more complexity with age. While muenster cheese has excellent melting properties, it can also be easily sliced or grated, making it a highly versatile table cheese.

What is the difference between Gouda and Cheddar cheese? ›

Taste: Both cheeses share a subtle nutty undertone. However, Gouda leans towards sweetness, while Cheddar offers a buttery essence. Texture: Cheddar's harder consistency makes it perfect for grating, whereas Gouda's creaminess facilitates easier slicing.

Is Velveeta real cheese? ›

Though Velveeta is no longer an FDA-defined genuine cheese, it does have some similarities, namely pasteurized milk and cheese culture.

Why does cheese separate in mac and cheese? ›

I'll spare you any more science-y talk, but the main culprits in curdled or split mac and cheese are too much heat and what kind of cheese you use. When you toss a bunch of cheese all at once into a béchamel mixture (milk-cream-roux) that's too hot (I like to keep the temp between 140 and 180°F) the sauce will split.

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