Panera Mac and Cheese Copycat Recipe – homemade macaroni and cheese that tastes just like what you can buy at Panera. Made on the stove top in just minutes!
What do you think of when you think of comfort food? For me, it is some of those classic dishes like the Best Meatloaf or homemade macaroni and cheese. When I was a kid there were a couple staple comfort food dishes in our house and they seemed to stem around pasta. Old Fashioned Goulash was top of the list.
Today things haven’t changed too much, but Crock Pot Chili is always on the menu when you have a snow day for help warm us up. . Plus you have to have corn bread, right? These Corn Muffins are a staple with chili in our house. So I have branched out a little with my comforts.
I love to go out to eat, but we don’t do it very often. A big part of the reason is, it is just so bad for you. Super giant portions, and pretty high calorie food. Because, let’s face it. If I am going out for dinner, I am not going to pay $18 for a salad. I can make a salad at home. I want real food.
But, I can make some of our restaurant favorites at home.
Copycat Starbucks Passion Tea Lemonade – Skip the line at Starbucks and make your own cool and refreshing Iced Passion Tea Lemonade at home! Just a few simple ingredients and you can be enjoying this drink in minutes. Copycat Red Lobster Tartar Sauce – Make fish and chips at home and enjoy dipping in a homemade tartar sauce that is a copycat of Red Lobster! Copycat Granite City Idaho Nachos – a restaurant favorite appetizer at home! Crispy waffle fries topped with bacon, green onions and lots of melty cheese! Copycat Tokyo Joes Chicken Spring Rolls – almost no cooking required to make this easy copy cat recipe for chicken spring rolls. Cheddar Bay Biscuits – a quick and easy homemade Cheddar Bay Biscuit recipe, just like at Red Lobster Pokey Sticks - Homemade cheese breadsticks that are the perfect addition to your next pizza night! Café Rio pork just like you’d get in the restaurant. Now you can make it at home in your slow cooker! Cafe Rio dressing you can make at home! Get excited, because it is SO good!Copycat Recipes
Copycat Starbucks Passion Tea Lemonade
Copycat Red Lobster Tartar Sauce
Copycat Granite City Idaho Nachos
Copycat Tokyo Joes Chicken Spring Rolls
Cheddar Bay Biscuits
Pokey Sticks
Cafe Rio Pork
Cafe Rio Dressing
Italian Nachos with Sausage
Continue Reading 
If you have ever been to Panera, you know they are pretty popular for their macaroni and cheese. It is a staple on the kids menu, but the adults go crazy for it as well. So I had to find a way to make a copycat Panera mac and cheese.
It is done on the stove top, and is super quick and easy to do. The results are super creamy, comforting and perfect for when you just want to hide away and stay warm. Or if you are just busy and want a quick and easy dinner you know the whole family will eat!
How to Make Panera Macaroni and Cheese
It all comes together on the stove top, so you can make it in minutes with no oven required!
- Start by boiling your water for the pasta. You can use traditional elbow noodles or small shells or whatever short cut pasta you like.
- In a saucepan you start by melting the butter and mixing in the flour. This is the start of a roux. You want to mix in the flour enough that it starts to turn golden and there are no white spots left.
- Whisk in the milk and cream until it is smooth and no longer lumpy.
- Next it is time for the cheese! We are using American and White Cheddar here. You can find American cheese at the deli where they will weigh it for you, don’t buy the fake stuff that is wrapped in plastic.
- After the cheese is all melted and smooth season your sauce with salt, pepper and dried mustard.
- Now mix in your cooked pasta until everything is nice and cheesy.
- That is it, super easy and oh so delicious!
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As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.Copycat Panera Mac and Cheese
Ingredients
Instructions
Recommended Products
Nutrition Information
Yield
6 Serving Size
1
Amount Per ServingCalories 574 Total Fat 39g Saturated Fat 23g Trans Fat 1g Unsaturated Fat 12g Cholesterol 116mg Sodium 1510mg Carbohydrates 37g Fiber 2g Sugar 8g Protein 20g
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Erin S
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Lori @ RecipeGirl says
Big time fave!
Krista says
This is a great copycat recipe! Kids all over are going to be so happy!
Taylor W. says
SO creamy and delicious!! Can’t wait to try!
Aysegul D Sanford says
I can eat this every single day of my life. WOW!
Christy Denney says
I love Panera’s mac and cheese and this is so good!
Beth Pierce says
My kids loved this! Thanks for the fabulous recipe!
Carrian says
Have mercy! All that cheese! My kids will go crazy for this!