Yahoo Lifestyle This Copycat Recipe for Panera's Macaroni and Cheese Tastes Just Like the Comfort Food Classic
Most people would agree that a creamy natural cheese sauce paired with shell macaroni makes the best mac and cheese recipe. It can be served for lunch, as a snack or a dinner side dish to satisfy your hungry eaters. And if you're a fan of Panera Bread, then surely you've sampled Panera's mac and cheese, which is addictive, to say the least. Can't get to a Panera near you? Make it come to you, with this best Copycat Panera Macaroni and Cheese recipe.
Related: Copycat Panera Broccoli Cheddar Soup
What kind of cheese is in Panera's macaroni and cheese?
Panera's macaroni and cheese recipe uses shell pasta and a Vermont White Cheddar Cheese sauce. Still, some other popular cheeses you can use in this crowd favorite include sharp or mild cheddar, gouda, gruyere, mozzarella, cream cheese, goat cheese and Parmesan cheese.
How many calories are in Panera's macaroni and cheese?
Panera's mac and cheese has 500 calories per serving.
Related: Panera's Tomato and Basil Bisque Recipe
How to make Panera Macaroni and Cheese
Mac and cheese can be identified into two different categories: no-bake mac and cheese done completely on the stovetop, or baked mac and cheese when it spends some time in the oven. Panera's version is a no-bake mac and cheese, also known as "soft macaroni and cheese."
Pro tip: Cooking your noodles in milk instead of water makes your resulting mac and cheese creamier, rich and smooth when they get tossed with the cheese sauce.
Related: Best Macaroni and Cheese Recipes
Because mac and cheese is such a classic combination, it can be a starting point for so many other ingredient add-ins like crushed tomatoes, crumbled bits of bacon, other cooked vegetables and buttered bread crumbs to name a few. Have fun trying this recipe at home the next time you're craving macaroni and cheese!
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Related: The Panera Mac and Cheese Ordering Hack We Wish We’d Known About Sooner
Copycat Panera Mac and Cheese Recipe
Ingredients
¼ cup unsalted butter
¼ cup all-purpose flour
1 cup milk
2 cup heavy cream
2 cup shredded white cheddar
1 tsp kosher salt
1 lb cooked pasta shells
Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and set aside until ready to use.
In a large pot on medium-high heat add butter and allow to slowly melt. Whisk in the flour and cook for about one minute. Reduce heat to medium and slowly pour in milk and heavy cream. Continue whisking until mixture begins to thicken and bubble. Reduce to low and add shredded white cheddar. Stir until melted.
Add cooked pasta. Stir until combined and season with salt. Remove from heat and allow to set for about 5 minutes.
