Panera Bread is one of those fast food places that tastes more like a clean, slightly-faster-than-normal restaurant, and one of its most popular items to get is their Mac & Cheese (and for good reason!). This Copycat Panera Bread Mac & Cheese Recipe will surprise you with how similar it is to the real thing!
What to Serve With Copycat Panera Bread Mac & Cheese
Since this is a Panera-style dish, you’ll probably want to serve it alongside other Panera Bread-themed foods!
- Flatbread
- Bruschetta
- Sandwich (toasted)
- BLT
- Greek salad
Take a look at the Panera Bread menu to see what other copycats you can come up with to go with your mac & cheese!
Copycat Panera Mac & Cheese Recipe
Scroll to the bottom for the printable version of this recipe!
Ingredients
- 1 pound elbow macaroni (or whatever pasta you like best)
- 2 cups shredded sharp white cheddar
- 1 cup milk
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp pepper
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp dry mustard
This recipe yields about 8 servings, depending on how hungry your family is. Double or half this recipe according to your family or guest size.
Copycat Panera Bread Instructions
Before you get started on your Copycat Panera Mac & Cheese, grab your equipment. You’ll need:
- 2 large pots
- Colander
- 2 wooden spoons (or whatever spoons you cook with)
- Measuring cup
- Teaspoon
1.) Cook Pasta
Using a large pot, cook pasta according to the directions on the package. Drain and set aside when finished. You can begin on the sauce while the pasta is cooking.
2.) Prepare Sauce
In another large pot, melt butter on medium-high heat. Whisk in the flour and cook until thoroughly mixed, about a minute. Turn the stove down to medium and whisk in your milk, heavy cream, mustard, salt, and pepper. Reduce to low and add white cheddar once the mixture begins bubbling.
Keep stirring until all of the ingredients are thoroughly combined.
3.) Combine & Serve
Remove from the heat, add cooked pasta to the sauce, and stir until pasta is coated with the sauce. Let sit for 5 minutes to allow the sauce to thicken, then serve.
And voila! An easy peasy Copycat Panera Bread Mac & Cheese recipe!
Don’t forget to check out some of MomDot’s other Mac & Cheese creations before you go:
- Baked Macaroni and Cheese Recipe
- Mac & Cheese Soup Recipe With Buffalo Chicken Strips
- Mac N Cheese Pockets
- Onion Lovers Bold Velveeta Mac & Cheese
Leave a rating and comment to let us know how you liked the recipe! Thanks, and ENJOY!
Copycat Panera Bread Mac & Cheese
Create a fast-food favorite right at home with this AMAZING Copycat Panera Bread Mac & Cheese recipe!
- 2 large cooking pots
- 2 wooden or cooking spoons
- Colander
- Measuring cup
- Teaspoon
- 1 lb Elbow macaroni ((or your preferred pasta))
- 2 cups White cheddar cheese ((sharp, shredded))
- 1 cup Milk
- 1/4 cup Unsalted butter
- 2 cups Heavy cream
- 1/4 cup All-purpose flour
- 1 tsp Ground black pepper
- 1 tsp Fine sea salt
- 1 tsp Dry mustard
Cook Pasta
-
Using a large pot, cook the pasta according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside when finished. You can prepare your sauce as the pasta cooks.
Prepare Sauce
-
In another large pot, melt butter on medium-high heat. Whisk in flour until combined with butter, about 1 minute. Turn stove down to medium heat and whisk in heavy cream, milk, mustard, salt, and pepper.
-
When mixture begins to bubble, reduce stove to low, add white cheddar, and mix until thoroughly combined.
Combine & Serve
-
Remove sauce from heat, add cooked pasta, and stir until pasta is coated in sauce. Let sit for 5 minutes to thicken and serve.