Copycat Panera Mac and Cheese

4.69 from 154 votes
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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. 

copycat panera mac and cheese in a bowl

 

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 You’ll Need

Be sure to scroll to the bottom of the post for the FULL PRINTABLE recipe card.

  • 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 combo
  • Seasonings – salt, pepper, and dry mustard
copycat panera mac and cheese in a bowl

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! 

  1. Cook Pasta. Start by boiling your water for the pasta. You can use traditional elbow noodles or small shells or whatever short cut pasta you like.
  2. Make Roux. In a saucepan melt the butter over medium heat. Mix in the flour until it starts to turn golden brown and no white streaks remain. Whisk in the milk and cream until it is smooth and no longer lumpy.
  3. Add Cheese. Add in the cheese and mix until it is melted and smooth.
  4. Season. Season with salt and pepper and mustard and taste to adjust to your liking.
  5. Add Pasta. Add in the cooked pasta and stir until everything is nice and cheesy.  
copycat panera mac and cheese in a bowl

Recipe Tips & Tricks

  • Use your favorite shape of pasta. You want something short like shells, cavatappi, rotini or the classic elbows
  • Use two pans. 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.
  • Storage. 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.

Other Copycat Recipes

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!
4.69 from 154 votes

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!
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 20 minutes
Total: 25 minutes
Servings: 6

Video

Ingredients 

Instructions 

  • Cook pasta according to the package directions
    1 pound small cut pasta
  • Meanwhile in a saucepan melt butter and whisk in flour. Cook for 2 or 3 minutes, stirring constantly. Whisk in milk and heavy cream.
    1/4 cup butter, 1/4 cup all-purpose flour, 2 cups skim milk, 1 cup heavy cream
  • Slowly add cheese, stirring until smooth and completely melted. Season with dry mustard, salt and pepper.
    1 cup white cheddar cheese, 1 cup American cheese, 2 teaspoons dry mustard, 2 teaspoons salt, 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • Add cooked pasta and mix until well combined.
  • Serve immediately

Nutrition

Calories: 574kcal | Carbohydrates: 37g | Protein: 20g | Fat: 39g | Saturated Fat: 23g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 12g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 116mg | Sodium: 1510mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 8g

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Author: Erin Sellin
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Course: Dinner Recipes
Cuisine: American
Servings: 6
Calories: 574
Like this recipe? Leave a comment below!

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About Erin Sellin

Welcome to Dinners, Dishes, & Desserts where my love of food meets my busy life. My name is Erin and Iโ€™m a casual home cook who loves to feed people. On this blog, youโ€™ll find hundreds of quick and easy recipes made mostly from scratch. My days are spent in the kitchen, creating new recipes to share with family and friends.

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53 Comments

  1. My son loves mac and cheese from Panera! I’m so excited that I can make it from home! Looks so tasty and yummy!

    1. 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>

  2. I love this Copycat Panera Mac and Cheese recipe, seems amazing and unique . Thanks for sharing this one with us.

  3. Super excited to try this Copycat Panera Mac and Cheese recipe , seems amazing and unique . Thanks for sharing this one with us.