Best Panera Mac and Cheese Recipe (Easy Copycat)
Enjoy a restaurant-quality meal at home with my Panera Mac and Cheese! This recipe is perfect if you’re craving comfort food.
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons salted butter
- 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 3 cups half & half
- 2 cups shredded white cheddar cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon fresh cracked black pepper
- 1 teaspoon mustard powder
- 16 ounces cavatappi pasta cooked according to package instructions
Instructions
- In a heavy bottom large pot, melt the butter over medium heat.
- Whisk in the flour and cook for about 1-2 minutes until well combined and smooth.
- Gradually whisk in the half and half, making sure there are no lumps.
- Cook the mixture for about 5-7 minutes, stirring constantly, until it thickens and comes to a simmer.
- Reduce the heat to low and stir in the shredded white cheddar cheese, salt , black pepper, and mustard powder. Mix until the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy.
- Add the cooked cavatappi pasta to the pot and stir until the pasta is evenly coated with the cheese sauce.
- Taste and adjust the seasonings to your liking.
- Serve the mac and cheese hot and enjoy!.
Notes
You can customize your mac and cheese by adding other ingredients such as crispy bacon, sauteed onions, or diced tomatoes.
If the sauce becomes too thick, you can add a little more half and half to achieve your desired consistency.
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
Nutrition
Serving: 1 | Calories: 680cal | Carbohydrates: 67g | Protein: 23g | Fat: 36g | Saturated Fat: 21g | Cholesterol: 100mg | Sodium: 579mg | Sugar: 7g | Fiber: 3g | Calcium: 417mg | Iron: 1mg