Elizabeth Reis's Over-the-Rainbow Macaroni and Cheese

The Dirt Alert keeps Elizabeth Reis busy. Did you know she is also an amazing cook?
Here is her favorite Thanksgiving side.

Elizabeth Says:
"Full disclosure here…this is Patti LaBelle’s recipe for Mac and Cheese. It is the best Thanksgiving side…I truly believe the pilgrims would love it were they here today. J My friend hosts a pre-Thanksgiving feast on the weekend before T-giving every year for all of our friends…I now have to bring two dishes of this because everyone loves it so much!"

Over-the-Rainbow Macaroni and Cheese
1 tablespoon vegetable oil

1 pound elbow macaroni

8 tablespoons (1 stick) plus 1 tablespoon butter

1/2 cup (2 ounces) shredded Muenster cheese

1/2 cup (2 ounces) shredded mild Cheddar cheese

1/2 cup (2 ounces) shredded sharp Cheddar cheese

1/2 cup (2 ounces) shredded Monterey Jack

2 cups half-and-half

1 cup (8 ounces) Velveeta, cut into small cubes

2 large eggs, lightly beaten

1/4 teaspoon seasoned salt

1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper



View full recipe

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly butter a deep 2 1/2-quart casserole.

Bring the large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the oil, then the elbow macaroni, and cook until the macaroni is just tender, about 7 minutes. Do not overcook. Drain well. Return to the cooking pot.

In a small saucepan, melt eight 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. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer to the buttered casserole. Sprinkle with the remaining 1/2 cup of shredded cheese and dot with the remaining one tablespoon of butter.

Bake until it’s bubbling around the edges, about 35 minutes. Serve hot