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!
Well the snow came. And it came in massive amounts. I think we got around 14 inches. School was cancelled yesterday, so it was a day at home playing with my 10 year old. Not that we would have gone anywhere, but my husband had to take my car into work to make sure he could actually get out of the neighborhood.
So we baked cookies, he played in the snow, and definitely made some hot chocolate. I am kind of over winter, but an impromptu day off once in awhile is nice! And Crock Pot Chili is always on the menu when you have a snow day. Plus you have to have corn bread, right? These Corn Muffins are a staple with chili in our house.
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. I have done Idaho Nachos from Granite City. Pasta Milano from Macaroni Grill. The pork recipe from Cafe Rio. And plenty of others. Now you can add a copycat Panera mac and cheese to the list!
So with all the snow, I need a dinner that is cozy and comforting. Pretty sure macaroni and cheese fits the bill perfectly. But not just any mac and cheese will do. We need copycat Panera mac and cheese. Panera is pretty darn famous for their mac and cheese, and it was time to make it at home.
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!
Want more? Check out all of the other One Pan Dinner Recipes here and here are some more you might like:
Lemon Garlic Pork Chops
Shrimp & Avocado Tostadas
One Pan Balsamic Chicken & Veggies by Chelsea’s Messy Apron
One Pot Chicken Alfredo Skillet by The Cookie Rookie
- 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
- 1 tsp dry mustard
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 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
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. If you are not familiar with Aimee, you will want to head over and check out her site. She has some incredible desserts like Frosted Gooey Chocolate Cake Bars. Great dinners like this Saucy Cheesesteak Hoagies. And even appetizers like Hot Jalapeno Corn Dip. Plus she is just one of the nicest people I know!
Be sure to follow along on Pinterest to see all the great new recipes I am pinning!
Other Recipes You Might Like:
Slow Cooker Macaroni and Cheese
Pasta Milano (Copycat Macaroni Grill)
Sheet Pan Shrimp Boil
Bacon Macaroni and Cheese
Copycat Red Lobster Tartar Sauce
Sausage Pasta Skillet
Cheeseburger Macaroni Skillet
Cheesy Skillet Chili Mac
One Pot Cajun Pasta
Creamy Sausage Spinach Pasta
Enchilada Pasta Skillet
Cheesy Skillet Gnocchi
Lora @savoringitaly says
It’s so true that it’s hard to fathom paying those high prices for a salad you could make better at home! And mac and cheese is a favorite here…we have to try your version!!
Jamielyn@iheartnaptime says
This looks amazing! They do have the best, I can’t wait to try this!
Gerry @ Foodness Gracious says
Love Panera and never had a bad thing to eat from it. This mac looks stupendous!!
Sharon @ What The Fork Food Blog says
This looks like a creamy, dreamy bowl of deliciousness! I’ve never had Panera’s Mac and Cheese (I’m a bacon turkey bravo girl every single time) but now I can make it on days it’s just me and my one year old since we’re the ones that can eat gluten and dairy lol
Jenny | Honey and Birch says
I can never leave Panera without mac and cheese and a dozen asiago cheese bagels. My waistline thanks you for letting me never enter Panera again. 🙂
Aimee @ ShugarySweets says
You’re so sweet! Your version looks insanely delicious 🙂 And I’m sorry about the snowed in thing…although deep down I’m kinda jealous 🙂
Becky Hardin | The Cookie Rookie says
One of my faves from Panera!!! Will have to try this for sure.
Cookin Canuck says
Wow, you definitely got a good dump of snow! Comfort food like this mac ‘n cheese seems like the only logical thing to eat when it’s chilly outside.
Christiane ~ Taking On Magazines says
Thank you for the comment about not getting a salad when you’re out to eat! I’ve never understood why people do that and feel the same way you do about getting real food. Sophie adores mac and cheese but I’ve yet to find a version that comes even close to her love of the blue box variety. This looks really, really good.
Concetta Stella Altieri says
I wish people would leave comments AFTER they have made the dish. I agree, it LOOKS amazing but it’s a pasty tasteless dish.
I wasted a ton of ingredients as I had to throw it all out while my family looked at me in horror. I followed the recipe exactly as posted, after a special trip to the store to buy all fresh ingredients. This is NOT a good recipe. I looked at similar recipes on line and they are all pretty much the same, small variations…. the only thing they all have in common is that people like me that actually made the dish screamed in horror.
Sorry, THIS one is a no go.
Heaven says
Agreed it’s awful I added more dried mustard than it calls for and some how it still tasted like cardboard
Rachel Marie says
Mine turned out perfect. It was delicious and super easy. I’m a teen who barely knows how to turn on the oven and I thought this dish was easy. It’s super tasty and perfect consistency too! My brother tried some and vowed that if he could, he’d marry the mac&cheese from this recipe. What noodles did you use? Sometimes that makes a difference for me. Also, I didn’t have or want to buy all those ingredients either, so I bought super cheap extra sharp cheddar (Food Club) and some flimsy American cheese slices. I also used cavatappi noodles.
Rachel Marie says
I’m in love with Panera’s mac and cheese and have tried out a few recipes before this one. I found this one to be the best! So, so, so good and super easy to make!