Baked Mac and Cheese Patti LaBelle's Recipe

 I got this recipe out of the Washington post. I cut the recipe in half for those who have smaller families. If you have a larger family just make the full recipe at Patti LaBelle's Mac and Cheese Washington Post Recipe   

NOTE: I made this recipe cut in half and it still made a large amount for 2 people, so if you don't want to make that much maybe cut it in half again and put it in a smaller casserole dish. 

8 ounces elbow macaroni uncooked

1 ounce shredded Monterey Jack cheese

1 ounce shredded parmesan cheese

2 ounces shredded sharp cheddar cheese

2 ounces shredded muenster cheese

4 ounces Velveeta cheese

1 1/2 TBLS butter

1 1/2 TBLS flour

1 3/4 cup of half and half

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 tsp cayenne pepper

1/8 tsp black pepper

Boil noodles in boiling water and 1/2 tsp salt for around 4-5 minutes, drain

While the noodles are boiling, shred and measure the 5 cheeses in a bowl (don't use preshredded cheese, it has a caking agent in the preshredded cheese and it makes it not melt as nice)

In a pan, melt butter, add flour. cook for a couple minutes until the raw flour cooks out, don't burn it. 

Slowly add in the half and half whisking the entire time to prevent from getting lumps.

Add in the salt, cayenne and pepper. 

Slowly add in the cheese, reserving around a 1/4 of a cup for the top of it when you bake it. 

add in the noodles to the cheese mixture. 

Add to a buttered casserole dish.

Bake 350 degrees for 25 minutes until bubbly

PRINTABLE RECIPE

That is how much half the recipe makes.