Panera Copycat White Cheddar Macaroni and Cheese
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup Butter
- 1/4 cup Flour
- 1 1/2 cups Whole Milk
- 1 1/2 cups Heavy Cream
- 4 ounces Sharp White Cheddar Cheese)
(cut into cubes
- 8 ounces White American Cheese *)
(Boar's Head from deli
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 1/2 teaspoon Pepper
- 3/4 teaspoon Dried Mustard
- 1 lb. Pasta)
(such as orecheiette, macaroni, etc
Directions
- 1
Heat water in a large pot on high until it reaches boiling point. Generously add salt to the water. Once it begins to boil, add pasta and cook according to package instructions.
- 2
As the water is warming up, make the sauce. Heat a pot over medium heat and add butter. Once the butter is melted, whisk in the flour until a paste forms. Make sure to have the milk nearby because you will want to have it ready. Whisk in milk and heavy cream. Let it simmer for 8-10 minutes.
- 3
Slowly add in the chunks of cheese in small increments, whisking after each addition. You don't want to add it in all at once or the mixture may clump. Add in salt, pepper, and dried mustard. Let the cheese melt and once the sauce has thickened, add the drained pasta. Taste for seasonings.
- 4
Serve warm.
Panera Copycat White Cheddar Macaroni and Cheese
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Based on 15 ratings
Rating Breakdown
About this Recipe
Craving that signature creamy, cheesy comfort of Panera's famous mac and cheese? Now you can recreate the magic at home with this incredible copycat recipe, delivering rich flavor and satisfying texture that rivals the original.
The secret to this incredibly rich and velvety sauce lies in the precise combination of sharp white cheddar and creamy white American cheese. This blend expertly mimics that distinct Panera taste and melt-in-your-mouth texture, setting it apart from other homemade versions.
You'll discover an unbelievably smooth and luxurious cheese sauce that perfectly clings to every piece of pasta. The interplay of sharp white cheddar and the delicate qualities of Boar's Head White American cheese creates a deeply savory flavor profile that's both nostalgic and incredibly satisfying. This dish is the epitome of comfort food, offering a decadent texture that's surprisingly quick to achieve, with just 5 minutes of prep and 15 minutes of cooking.
For the pasta, feel free to use your favorite short shapes; orechiette or classic macaroni noodles are excellent choices that capture the creamy sauce beautifully. While the specified cheese blend is crucial for the Panera copycat flavor, ensure you use a high-quality white American cheese from the deli for the best melting performance.
This creamy mac and cheese makes an indulgent weeknight meal on its own or a show-stopping side dish that's sure to be a crowd-pleaser for any gathering.