Cheesy Rainbow Delight Macaroni
This luscious 'Cheesy Rainbow Delight Macaroni' is a vibrant twist on the classic macaroni and cheese, inspired by a beloved recipe from Patti LaBelle. Perfect for cookouts, potlucks, and family gatherings, this dish features a rainbow of rich flavors and a creamy texture that will leave your guests craving more. With a blend of four delicious cheeses and a touch of seasoning, each bite is a testament to cheesy goodness!
N/A
Servings
542
Calories
12
Ingredients
Ingredients
Vegetable oil
1 tablespoon (for cooking macaroni)
Elbow macaroni
1 lb (uncooked)
Butter
8 tablespoons (plus 1 tablespoon for dotting)
Muenster cheese, shredded
1 cup
Mild Cheddar cheese, shredded
1 cup
Sharp Cheddar cheese, shredded
1 cup
Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
1 cup
Half-and-half
2 cups
Velveeta cheese, cubed
1 cup (cut into small cubes)
Eggs
2 large (lightly beaten)
Seasoning salt
1/4 teaspoon
Black pepper
1/8 teaspoon (freshly ground)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly butter a deep 2 1/2-quart casserole dish.
2
Fill a large pot with water, add salt, and bring it to a rolling boil. Once boiling, add the vegetable oil and elbow macaroni. Cook for 7 minutes until the macaroni is just tender, ensuring you do not overcook it. Drain well and return the macaroni to the cooking pot.
3
In a separate small saucepan, melt 8 tablespoons of butter over low heat. Once melted, stir this into the cooked macaroni to coat it evenly.
4
In a large mixing bowl, combine the shredded Muenster, mild Cheddar, sharp Cheddar, and Monterey Jack cheeses. Reserve 1 1/2 cups of the mixed cheese for topping the dish.
5
To the macaroni, add the half-and-half, the reserved cheese (2 1/2 cups), cubed Velveeta cheese, and lightly beaten eggs. Season with seasoning salt and pepper. Mix everything together until well combined.
6
Transfer this creamy macaroni mixture into the prepared casserole dish. Top with the reserved 1 1/2 cups of shredded cheese and dot the top with the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter.
7
Bake in the preheated oven for about 35 minutes, or until golden and bubbling around the edges. Serve hot and savor the cheesy goodness!
Nutrition Information
32g
Fat
48g
Carbs
20g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Cheesy Rainbow Delight Macaroni?
Cheesy Rainbow Delight Macaroni is a vibrant and creamy twist on the classic macaroni and cheese, featuring a blend of five different cheeses and inspired by a recipe from Patti LaBelle.
Who inspired this macaroni and cheese recipe?
This recipe is inspired by a beloved macaroni and cheese recipe from the legendary Patti LaBelle.
How many types of cheese are used in the Cheesy Rainbow Delight Macaroni?
The recipe uses a total of five cheeses: Muenster, Mild Cheddar, Sharp Cheddar, Monterey Jack, and Velveeta.
What are the specific shredded cheeses needed?
You will need one cup each of shredded Muenster, Mild Cheddar, Sharp Cheddar, and Monterey Jack cheese.
What is the recommended oven temperature for baking?
The oven should be preheated to 350 degrees Fahrenheit or 175 degrees Celsius.
How long should the elbow macaroni be boiled?
The macaroni should be boiled for exactly 7 minutes until it is just tender, making sure not to overcook it.
What should be added to the water when boiling the pasta?
You should add salt and one tablespoon of vegetable oil to the boiling water.
How much butter is required for the entire recipe?
A total of 9 tablespoons of butter is used: 8 tablespoons are melted and stirred into the macaroni, and 1 tablespoon is used for dotting the top.
What size casserole dish should I use?
A deep 2.5-quart casserole dish is recommended for this recipe.
Do I need to grease the casserole dish?
Yes, the instructions specify that you should lightly butter the casserole dish before adding the macaroni mixture.
How much half-and-half is used in this dish?
The recipe calls for 2 cups of half-and-half to ensure a creamy texture.
What role do eggs play in this macaroni and cheese?
Two large, lightly beaten eggs are added to the mixture to act as a binder and add richness to the sauce.
How much cheese is reserved for the topping?
You should reserve 1.5 cups of the mixed shredded cheeses to sprinkle on top of the casserole before baking.
What seasonings are used to flavor the dish?
The dish is seasoned with 1/4 teaspoon of seasoning salt and 1/8 teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper.
How long does the Cheesy Rainbow Delight Macaroni take to bake?
The casserole should bake for about 35 minutes in the preheated oven.
How do I know when the macaroni is finished baking?
The dish is ready when the cheese is golden and the edges are bubbling.
How many calories are in a serving of this macaroni?
There are approximately 542 calories per serving.
What is the protein content per serving?
Each serving provides 20 grams of protein.
How much fat is in one serving?
There are 32 grams of fat per serving.
How many carbohydrates are in this dish?
One serving contains approximately 48 grams of carbohydrates.
Is this recipe suitable for large gatherings?
Yes, it is specifically described as perfect for cookouts, potlucks, and family gatherings.
How should the Velveeta cheese be prepared?
The Velveeta cheese should be cut into small cubes before being added to the macaroni mixture.
Can the macaroni be overcooked during the boiling phase?
The instructions specifically warn not to overcook the macaroni, suggesting 7 minutes is the ideal time.
What is the very first step of the recipe?
The first step is to preheat the oven and butter the casserole dish.
What happens to the 8 tablespoons of melted butter?
The melted butter is stirred into the drained macaroni to coat it evenly before other ingredients are added.
What are some common tags for this recipe?
Common tags include comfort food, party food, family favorite, and creamy.
How many ingredients are in the Cheesy Rainbow Delight Macaroni?
There are 12 total ingredients listed for this recipe.
When do you add the eggs and half-and-half?
These are added to the macaroni after the melted butter and before the mixture is transferred to the casserole dish.
How do you finish the top of the dish before it goes into the oven?
Top it with the reserved 1.5 cups of shredded cheese and dot it with 1 tablespoon of butter.
Is this a chef-recommended dish?
Yes, it carries the 'chef's special' tag, indicating it is a high-quality, flavorful recipe.