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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.
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
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!
- 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.
- 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.
- Add Cheese. Add in the cheese and mix until it is melted and smooth.
- Season. Season with salt and pepper and mustard and taste to adjust to your liking.
- Add Pasta. Add in the cooked pasta and stir until everything is nice and cheesy.
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 Red Lobster Tartar Sauce
- Pokey Sticks (Gumby’s Pizza)
- Pasta Milano (Macaroni Grill)
- Chicken Gnocchi Soup (Olive Garden)
- Mexican Pizza (Taco Bell)
Copycat Panera Mac and Cheese
Video
Ingredients
- 1 pound small cut pasta, (I used shells)
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 cups skim milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup white cheddar cheese
- 1 cup American cheese
- 2 teaspoons dry mustard
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to the package directions1 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
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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Yum! Mac and cheese is always a favorite in our house. This looks so inviting!
Everyone at my house loved it!! Can’t wait to make it again!
My son loves mac and cheese from Panera! I’m so excited that I can make it from home! Looks so tasty and yummy!
Oh my gosh… this is my kids’ favorite!
This quickly became a favorite at my house!!
What is American Cheese
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>
Would it make a difference if you used 2% milk instead of Skim milk?
Nope, that works great!
I love this Copycat Panera Mac and Cheese recipe, seems amazing and unique . Thanks for sharing this one with us.
Super excited to try this Copycat Panera Mac and Cheese recipe , seems amazing and unique . Thanks for sharing this one with us.