Panera Mac and Cheese Copycat Recipe – Thick and creamy homemade stovetop macaroni and cheese that tastes just like what you get at Panera! So quick and easy your family is going to want this for dinner tonight!
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.
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!
What’s In Panera Mac and Cheese
- Pasta – you can use whatever short cut pasta that you have
- Butter
- Flour
- Milk
- Heavy Cream
- Cheese – I think white cheddar and American cheese is best
- Seasonings – salt, pepper, and dry mustard
Recipe Tips & Tricks
- Use your favorite shape of pasta. You want something short like shells, cavatappi, rotini or the classic elbows
- To get this done in about 20 minutes cook your pasta in one pan, and in the other make the sauce. They will be ready about the same time and then you just have to mix them together.
- Make it your own! My husband likes all things spicy, so he adds a little hot sauce to his. Chipotle Tabasco is his favorite.
- Shred the cheese yourself. You won’t want to use the pre-shredded cheese because it has a coating on it and will not melt nearly as smooth as the block you shred on your own.
- If you have leftovers store in the fridge. When you reheat you may need to stir in a little milk or cream to get it nice and creamy again. The pasta will absorb some of the creaminess as it sits in the fridge.
How to Make Panera Mac 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!
Other Copycat Recipes You Will Love
- Cheddar Bay Biscuits (Red Lobster)
- Copycat Red Lobster Tartar Sauce
- Cafe Rio Pork (Cafe Rio)
- Pokey Sticks (Gumby’s Pizza)
- Idaho Nachos (Granite City Brewery)
- Pasta Milano (Macaroni Grill)
- Chicken Gnocchi Soup (Olive Garden)
- Mexican Pizza (Taco Bell)
Copycat Panera Mac and Cheese
Copycat Panera Mac and Cheese - homemade macaroni and cheese that tastes just like what you can buy at Panera. Made on the stove top in just minutes!
Ingredients
- 1 pound small cut pasta, (I used shells)
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1/4 cup flour
- 2 cups skim milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup white cheddar cheese
- 1 cup American cheese
- 2 tsp dry mustard
- 2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to the package directions
- Meanwhile in a saucepan melt butter and whisk in flour. Cook for 2 or 3 minutes, stirring constantly. Whisk in milk and heavy cream.
- Slowly add cheese, stirring until smooth and completely melted. Season with dry mustard, salt and pepper.
- Add cooked pasta and mix until well combined.
- Serve immediately
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Nutrition Information
Yield
6Serving Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 574Total Fat 39gSaturated Fat 23gTrans Fat 1gUnsaturated Fat 12gCholesterol 116mgSodium 1510mgCarbohydrates 37gFiber 2gSugar 8gProtein 20g
Nutrition Disclaimer: All information presented on this site is intended for informational purposes only. I am not a certified nutritionist and any nutritional information shared on dinnersdishesanddesserts.com should only be used as a general guideline.
I saw the original recipe for this over at my friend Aimee’s site (Shugary Sweets). I changed it up just a tiny bit to come up with my version.
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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!
Melissa says
We love Panera Mac & Cheese! Thanks for the recipe my family loved it!
Demeter says
You have nailed this recipe! It looks amazing!
Tara says
Great job on this copycat panera mac n cheese. It is one of my favorite places to get mac n cheese and have always wanted to make it.
Cathy says
Panera mac & cheese is my kids’ favorite. Love that I can make it at home and they love it just as much!
Annie says
This recipe is spot on!! Loved it!
Sara Welch says
What a creamy and delectable dish! Adding this to my dinner line up for the week! Looks too good to pass up!
Amanda says
I have always loved this, I have to make this ASAP!
Kimberly says
My kids are going to love this, can’t wait to try it, thanks for the copycat recipe!
Catalina says
Yum! Mac and cheese is always a favorite in our house. This looks so inviting!
Toni Dash says
Everyone at my house loved it!! Can’t wait to make it again!
Beth says
My son loves mac and cheese from Panera! I’m so excited that I can make it from home! Looks so tasty and yummy!
Cathy says
Oh my gosh… this is my kids’ favorite!
Sandra McCollum says
This quickly became a favorite at my house!!
Maureen says
What is American Cheese
Erin S says
It is a processed cheese that is usually made from cheddar, Colby, or similar cheeses. It is mild with a creamy and salty flavor, and melts very quickly and smoothly. You can find it in the deli section at most grocery stores in the US>