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!
Table of Contents
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 creamy pasta recipes include this white sauce recipe, Alfredo sauce with cream cheese and creamy Tuscan chicken pasta.
More Mac and Cheese Recipes
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Copycat Panera Mac and Cheese
Video
Ingredients
- 1 pound medium pasta shells
Roux
- ¼ cup butter
- ¼ cup flour
White Cheddar Sauce
- 3-4 cups sharp white cheddar , grated and at room temperature
- 1 ¼ cups heavy cream
- 1 ¾ cups whole milk
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- ½ teaspoon ground mustard
Instructions
- Boil the pasta: In a large pot, boil the pasta per the package instructions. Drain well.
- Make a roux: While the pasta is boiling, make a roux by melting 1/4 cup butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add 1/4 cup flour and whisk continually for 1 minute. Slowly add 1 1/4 cups heavy cream and 1 3/4 cups milk, while whisking continuously. Whisk an additional 3-5 minutes, or until slightly thickened.
- Add cheese, seasonings and thicken: Reduce heat to low and add shredded cheese, while stirring. Add 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon pepper, 1/2 teaspoon ground mustard, and hot sauce (if desired.) Whisk until smooth. Remove from heat.
- Add pasta and serve: Add cooked pasta and serve!
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.
Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below!
Categorized as: 30 Minute Meals, 30 Minute Meals, American, Dinner, Kid-Friendly, Pasta, Stovetop
Jamielyn Nye is the founder and recipe creator at I Heart Naptime. She is the author of the I Heart Naptime Cookbook and shares easy family-friendly recipes and desserts for every occasion.
This mac n cheese is so creamy! Yum!