Copycat Panera Mac and Cheese Recipe

This copycat Panera mac and cheese is a bakery-inspired recipe that is easy to make at home on the stovetop with a creamy white cheddar sauce and tender pasta shells.

Love mac and cheese recipes? Try homemade mac and cheese or smoked gouda mac and cheese!

Copycat Panera Mac and Cheese Recipe

This Panera mac and cheese is so rich and delicious with a creamy white cheddar cheese sauce! Paired with a cup of broccoli and cheese soup, it’s so good I might not need to visit the restaurant again.

When it comes to Panera copycat recipes, my family requests this rich, smooth and ultra thick pasta recipe favorite over and over again. It’s easily made on the stove top in minutes and one of my new go-to side dish recipes!

Ingredients

Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.

• Pasta: To make this like Panera’s mac, I used medium shells but elbow macaroni and Cavatappi also work.
• White cheddar cheese: A high quality, freshly shredded Vermont white cheddar cheese is the key to making this Panera macaroni and cheese a true copycat!
• Roux. A roux is made with flour and butter and helps thicken the sauce.
• Ground mustard: Your white cheddar mac & cheese won’t taste like mustard. The dry mustard powder enhances the cheesy flavor.
• Milk and cream. Heavy whipping cream and whole milk make the best Panera mac & cheese. Don’t skip it or it will not taste like the restaurant version!
• Salt and black pepper. To enhance taste, adjust and taste as needed.

How to Make Panera Mac and Cheese

 In a large saucepan, boil pasta in salted water per the package instructions. Drain well.

Make a roux by melting butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add flour and whisk continuously for 1 minute. Slowly add heavy cream and milk then whisk until slightly thickened 3-5 minutes.

Reduce heat to low and add shredded sharp white cheddar cheese. Continue to stir and add salt, pepper and ground mustard. Whisk until smooth, remove from heat. Stir in cooked pasta and serve!

Panera Macaroni and Cheese Recipe Tips

• Thicker sauce or thinner sauce: If you want your sauce more thin, add more milk or cream. If you like a thicker sauce, add more cheese.
• Creamier sauce: Use one less cup of pasta for an even creamier pasta sauce.
• Veggies: If you want to sneak in some veggies, broccoli or peas are my go-to add-ins for this creamy white cheddar macaroni.
• Protein: Make it a one pot meal by adding some bacon, chopped ham or chicken.
• Other cheese: While white cheddar is key to a copycat Panera Bread mac and cheese, you can use gouda, mozzarella, white American cheese, gruyere or even Monterey Jack.
• Hot sauce: This sounds strange, but it actually enhances the taste! Add just a dash to this Panera Bread mac and cheese recipe if you would like.

Serving Suggestions

Just like Panera, serve it with a French baguette recipe and some broccoli cheddar soup. Or serve it with a sandwich combo like grilled cheese or Buffalo chicken sliders, it’s the best comfort food!

It would also be a great side dish with main dishes like grilled chicken or a meatball sub!

More Mac and Cheese Recipes

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