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–+ servings
Panera Mac and Cheese Recipe

Panera Mac and Cheese Recipe

This Panera Mac and Cheese Recipe is creamy, cheesy, and packed with flavor, perfect for any occasion.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Baking Time 15 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Course main dish
Cuisine American
Servings 6 servings
Calories 588 kcal

Equipment

  • large pot
  • Saucepan
  • whisk
  • Silicone spatula
  • casserole dish

Ingredients
  

Pasta

  • 1 lb. medium pasta shells or elbow macaroni

Roux

  • ¼ cup butter
  • ¼ cup flour

White Cheddar Sauce

  • 3 cups Cracker Barrel Vermont Sharp White Cheddar Cheese, shredded
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 2 cups milk, preferably whole

Seasonings

  • ¾ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon pepper
  • 1 teaspoon mustard powder can sub Dijon mustard
  • ¼ teaspoon hot sauce Optional

Instructions
 

Preparation

  • Shred the cheese first and set aside. It should be close to room temperature when added to the sauce.
  • Boil a large pot of water and cook according to pasta package instructions. Drain well when finished. Prepare the sauce while the water boils and the pasta cooks.
  • Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in the flour for 1 minute, until it begins to turn a light golden color.
  • Slowly whisk in the heavy cream and milk. Whisk for about 3 minutes.
  • Add the seasonings and hot sauce.
  • Reduce heat to low. Slowly sprinkle in the shredded cheese, stirring as you do so.
  • Whisk continuously until smooth and thickened. Remove from heat.
  • Add boiled pasta and stir to combine. Serve!

If Baking

  • Use ¾ lb. pasta instead of the whole pound as it will continue to absorb sauce while it bakes.
  • Boil for 1 minute less than Al Dente.
  • Transfer to a lightly greased 9 x 13 inch casserole dish. (Optional: Top with 1 cup of crushed Ritz crackers.)
  • Bake at 325 degrees for 15 minutes. Let it sit 5 minutes prior to serving.

Notes

Feel free to switch this recipe up to add different flavors, use as many different cheeses as you'd like, like Gouda, Mozzarella, Mild Cheddar, Monterey Jack, or Gruyere. The hot sauce is strictly used to enhance the flavor without making it spicy.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 588kcalCarbohydrates: 50gProtein: 21gFat: 34gSaturated Fat: 21gCholesterol: 107mgSodium: 576mgPotassium: 271mgFiber: 2gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 1138IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 407mgIron: 1mg
Keyword Baked Mac and Cheese, Cheesy Pasta, Comfort Food, Mac and Cheese, Panera Mac and Cheese Recipe, quick dinner
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