Best 2 Panera Mac Cheese Recipes

Panera Mac and Cheese is a beloved American comfort food, known for its creamy texture, cheesy flavor, and elbow macaroni. This dish is a staple at the popular bakery-cafe chain Panera Bread, and its popularity has inspired many copycat recipes. Our article offers three versions of Panera Mac and Cheese: a classic stovetop recipe, a one-pot version, and a slow-cooker variation. Each recipe is carefully crafted to capture the essence of the original dish, ensuring a rich and flavorful macaroni and cheese experience. Whether you prefer the traditional stovetop method or the convenience of a one-pot or slow-cooker approach, we have a recipe that will satisfy your craving for this iconic dish.

Here are our top 2 tried and tested recipes!

PANERA MAC & CHEESE

Panera Mac & Cheese image

I have been looking for this yummy, very filling recipe and finally found it on a People magazine website. I think it tastes exactly like Panera, especially when reheated. Don't forget to add milk when reheating. I am writing this recipe as published, adding my little notes. Please read my edits before attempting to make this...I copied the recipe as written but I do not put anyour hot sauce in mine. 12/13/11 - I am changing the hot sauce to optional...The second time I made this, my DH put a little more than the 1/4 tsp (probably 1 extra drop) and all you could taste was hot sauce. I started making it without the hot sauce and it's fine. 3/21/16...I looked up this recipe for the milk measurement and the only word I saw was GROSS...lol...anyway...I DO NOT use hot sauce when I make mine...put too much in once and it was gross...when I put the dijon mustard in...I put half the amount in and taste it and go from there...Do not use yellow mustard because it will be tangy.

Provided by Chef Shelby

Categories Pasta Shells

Time 40m

Yield 6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 10

Ingredients

1 (16 ounce) package small shell pasta
1/4 cup butter
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
2 1/2 cups 2% low-fat milk (I used 1% milk)
6 slices American cheese, chopped (I used Land O Lakes white, presliced from the deli)
1 cup extra-sharp white cheddar cheese, shredded (I used an 8 oz block of Cabot Vermont extra sharp and cut into small pieces for better melting)
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard (I used a store brand-start with half the amount and taste as you go)
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon hot sauce (optional-I do not recommend using it. If you add too much then all you taste is the hot sauce)
paprika (optional-I use smoked paprika)

Steps:

Prepare pasta according to package directions.
Melt butter in a Dutch oven over low heat. (I just used a regular pan) Whisk in flour and cook 1 minute, whisking constantly.
Gradually whisk in milk, cook over medium heat, whisking until mixture thickens and is bubbly. Remove from heat.
Add cheeses, mustard, salt, and hot sauce, stirring until cheese melts and sauce is smooth.
Stir in pasta and cook over medium heat, 1 minute or until thoroughly heated. Sprinkle with paprika if desired. Serve immediately.

PANERA MAC & CHEESE

Panera Mac & Cheese image

Categories Pasta

Number Of Ingredients 9

Ingredients

1/4 cup Butter (unsalted)
1/4 cup Flour
1 cup Milk
2 cups Heavy Cream
8 ounces Cheddar (white, shredded)
1 teaspoon Salt
1 teaspoon Black pepper
1 teaspoon Dry mustard
1 pound Pasta (cavatappi)

Steps:

Cook pasta according to instructions, drain and set aside until ready to use.
In a large pot, melt butter over medium-high heat, then whisk in flour to cook for one minute. Reduce heat to medium and add milk, cream, salt, pepper and mustard. Whisk until it begins to simmer, then reduce to low and add cheese, whisking until melted.
Add cooked pasta and stir until combined. Allow to sit for 5 minutes to thicken.

Tips:

Use high-quality cheese. The type of cheese you use will greatly impact the flavor of your mac and cheese. Use a blend of sharp cheddar, Gruyère, and Parmesan cheeses for a rich, flavorful sauce.
Cook the macaroni al dente. Overcooked macaroni will become mushy and ruin the texture of your mac and cheese. Cook the macaroni according to the package directions, but be sure to taste it before draining it to make sure it is still slightly firm.
Make a roux. A roux is a mixture of butter and flour that is used to thicken the sauce. This will help to create a smooth, creamy sauce that coats the macaroni evenly.
Use milk and cream. Milk and cream add richness and flavor to the sauce. Use a combination of whole milk and heavy cream for the best results.
Season the sauce to taste. Add salt, pepper, and garlic powder to taste. You can also add other seasonings, such as paprika, cayenne pepper, or onion powder, to taste.
Top with bread crumbs. Bread crumbs add a crispy topping to the mac and cheese. You can use plain bread crumbs or seasoned bread crumbs. If you are using plain bread crumbs, be sure to season them with salt, pepper, and garlic powder before topping the mac and cheese.
Bake until golden brown. Bake the mac and cheese in a preheated oven until the top is golden brown and bubbly. This will take about 30 minutes.

Conclusion:

Panera Mac and Cheese is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for any occasion. With a few simple ingredients and a little bit of time, you can create a dish that the whole family will love. Whether you are serving it as a main course or a side dish, Panera Mac and Cheese is sure to be a hit.