Panera Mac and Cheese Recipe - (BEST Copycat!) (2024)

by Stephanie on April 15, 2020 (Updated March 3, 2024)162*This post may contain affiliate links. Read more »

Make Panera’s famous Mac & Cheese right at home with this spot-on copycat recipe. Serve it hot off the stove or enjoy it baked with a crunchy Ritz topping. You can’t beat the creamy Vermont White Cheddar sauce!

Be sure to serve this with my Baked Chili Cheese Dogs!

Panera Mac and Cheese Recipe - (BEST Copycat!) (1)

Panera Mac & Cheese Recipe

It’s an interesting time in history right now, on this April day in 2020. Like many of us, I’ve been missing trips to my favorite restaurants and have been relying heavily on all of my restaurant copycat recipes.

Panera is known most prominently for two things. Their Broccoli Cheddar Soup, and their super creamy White Cheddar Mac & Cheese.

I’ve tried all kinds of White Cheddar varieties in this recipe and I’ve come up with a clear winner. (See ingredient list below or in the recipe card.)

I’ve served this hot off the stove and have also added crumbled Ritz on top and baked it. Either way, it’s the best.

How to Make it

See recipe card at the bottom of post for ingredient quantities and full instructions

PRO TIP: Shred the cheese from a block, it won’t melt well if it’s pre-shredded from a bag. Allow it to come to room temperature prior to mixing into the sauce. This is the secret to an ultimate creamy consistency.Also ensure that the base is warm and not too hot when you add the cheese, otherwise you can end up with a gritty consistency.

Melt the butter in a soup pot over medium-high heat and whisk in flour. Continue to whisk until it begins to turn a light golden color.

Slowly add the heavy cream and milk. Add the seasonings and hot sauce. Whisk for about 3 minutes.

Panera Mac and Cheese Recipe - (BEST Copycat!) (2)

Reduce heat to low and gradually sprinkle in cheese, whisking continuously. Sauce will continue to thicken upon standing.

Panera Mac and Cheese Recipe - (BEST Copycat!) (3)

Add cooked pasta and stir to combine. Serve! See below for instructions on Baked Macaroni and Cheese or the Crock Pot Method.

Panera Mac and Cheese Recipe - (BEST Copycat!) (4)

Baked Version

To bake this mac & cheese, use 3/4 lb. pasta instead of the whole pound as it will continue to absorb the sauce as it bakes.

Boil the pasta for 1 minute less than al dente.

Combine with cheese sauce and transfer to a lightly greased 9 x 13 casserole dish.

Top with 1 cup of crushed Ritz crackers or Panko breadcrumbs. (Optional but tasty.)

Bake at 325 degrees for 15 minutes and let it sit for 5 minutes prior to serving.

Make Ahead/Crock Pot Method

  • Cook the pasta for 2-3 minutes less than al dente. Drain.
  • Prepare the cheese sauce and let it cool a bit after you’ve made it.
  • Use a silicone spatula to combine the pasta into the sauce until just combined, don’t overmix. It’s okay if it’s not all coated perfectly.
  • Refrigerate for 1-2 days. (If preparing ahead of time.)
  • Place in a Slow Cooker on low for 2 hours, stirring occasionally.

Other Cheese Options

If you want to use a variety of cheeses to change up the flavor of this dish, the following cheese combinations are great in macaroni and cheese, use as many different cheeses as you want!

  • Gouda
  • Mozzarella
  • Mild Cheddar
  • Monterey Jack
  • Gruyere

Refrain from using extra sharp or aged cheesesas those won’t melt as well.

Adding Hot Sauce to Mac & Cheese

The Hot Sauce is strictly used to enhance the flavor of the cheese.

It may sound surprising to add hot sauce to macaroni and cheese, especially if you plan to serve this to kids. However I can assure you that this doesn’t make the recipe spicyat all,and you can’t even taste it.

What to Add to Mac and Cheese

These options will takeany macaroni and cheese to the next level!

  • Bacon, Ham, Pulled Pork, Sausage, Buffalo Chicken, Kielbasa, Lobster, BBQ Chicken, Hot Dogs
  • Broccoli, Mushrooms, Peas, Corn, Spinach, Sun-dried Tomatoes, Pesto, Caramelized Onions, Chili

Storing Leftovers

  • Refrigerate for 3-4 days in an airtight container in the fridge.Although this can also be frozen, it doesn’t reheat as well due as the dairy separates a bit.

Panera Mac and Cheese Recipe - (BEST Copycat!) (5)

Try These Next

Tuscan Mac and Cheese
Easy Ravioli Sauce
Chili Mac

Bacon Mac and Cheese
Mushroom Chicken
Chicken Spaghetti

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Panera Mac and Cheese Recipe - (BEST Copycat!) (12)

Panera Mac & Cheese Recipe

Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes minutes

4.96 from 46 ratings

Servings: 8

Tap or hover to scale

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This SUPER creamy White Cheddar Mac & Cheese Recipe is just like the Panera version! Serve it right off the stove top, in the Crock Pot, or enjoy it baked. Delicious additions include bacon, crushed Ritz crackers, and more!

Ingredients

  • 1 lb. medium pasta shells, or elbow macaroni

Roux

  • 1/4 cup butter
  • 1/4 cup flour

White Cheddar Sauce

  • 3 cups Cracker Barrel Vermont White Cheddar, shredded, 1 block = 2 cups
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 2 cups milk, preferably whole

Seasonings

  • 3/4 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon pepper
  • 1 teaspoon mustard powder, can sub Dijon mustard
  • 1/4 teaspoon hot sauce, Optional, see notes

Instructions

Shred the Cheese

  • Shred the cheese first and set aside. It should be close to room temperature when added to the sauce.

Boil the Pasta

  • Boil a large pot of water and cook according to pasta package instructions. Drain well when finished. Prepare the sauce while the water boils and the pasta cooks.

Prepare the Sauce

  • PRO TIP: Measure out all of your ingredients and have them ready when you start the sauce. This is especially true of the cheese as it shouldn't be cold when added to the base.

  • Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in the flour for 1 minute, until it begins to turn a light golden color.

  • Slowly whisk in the heavy cream and milk. Whisk for about 3 minutes.

  • Add the seasonings and hot sauce.

  • Reduce heat to low. Slowly sprinkle in the shredded cheese, stirring as you do so.

  • Whisk continuously until smooth and thickened. Remove from heat.

  • Add boiled pasta and stir to combine. Serve!

If Baking

  • Use 3/4 lb. pasta instead of the whole pound as it will continue to absorb sauce while it bakes.

  • Boil for 1 minute less than Al Dente.

  • Transfer to a lightly greased 9 x 13 inch casserole dish.(Optional: Top with 1 cup of crushed Ritz crackers.)

  • Bake at 325 degrees for 15 minutes. Let it sit 5 minutes prior to serving.

Notes

Other Cheese Options

Feel free to switch this recipe up to add different flavors, use as many difference cheeses as you'd like!

  • Gouda
  • Mozzarella
  • Mild Cheddar
  • Monterey Jack
  • Gruyere

About the Hot Sauce

The Hot Sauce is strictly used to enhance the flavor of the cheese.

It may sound surprising to add hot sauce to macaroni and cheese, especially if you plan to serve this to kids. However I can assure you that this doesn't make the recipe spicyat all,and you can't even taste it.

Make Ahead / Crock Pot Method

  • Cook the pasta for 2-3 minutes less than al dente. Drain.
  • Prepare the cheese sauce and let it cool a bit after you've made it.
  • Use a silicone spatula to combine the pasta into the sauce until just combined, don’t overmix. It's okay if it's not all coated perfectly.
  • Refrigerate for 1-2 days. (If preparing ahead of time.)
  • Place in a Slow Cooker on low for 2 hours, stirring occasionally.

Storage

Refrigerate for 3-4 days in an airtight container in the fridge.Although this can also be frozen, it doesn't reheat as well due as the dairy separates a bit.

Nutrition

Calories: 588kcal, Carbohydrates: 50g, Protein: 21g, Fat: 34g, Saturated Fat: 21g, Cholesterol: 107mg, Sodium: 576mg, Potassium: 271mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 5g, Vitamin A: 1138IU, Vitamin C: 1mg, Calcium: 407mg, Iron: 1mg

Did you try this recipe?Mention @TheCozyCook on Instagram or tag #thecozycook!

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Author: Stephanie

Panera Mac and Cheese Recipe - (BEST Copycat!) (2024)

FAQs

What are the ingredients in Panera mac and cheese? ›

Cooked Pasta (Semolina Wheat Flour, Egg Whites, Niacin, Ferrous Sulfate, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid), Pasteurized Process Cheese Spread (Cheddar Cheese [Pasteurized Milk, Cheese Culture, Salt, Enzymes], Water, Whey, Whey Protein Concentrate, Milkfat, Skim Milk, Sodium Citrate, Lactic Acid, Salt), ...

Where does Panera get their mac and cheese? ›

How does Panera make their mac and cheese? Like at many chain restaurants, Panera's mac and cheese arrive at their stores pre-made and frozen.

How does Panera heat their mac and cheese? ›

The shell-shaped pasta with creamy cheese sauce comes from the freezer in a vacuum-sealed bag, gets submerged into boiling water, removed, opened and plated.

How does Gordon Ramsay make the best mac and cheese? ›

Preparation
  1. In a large pot over medium heat, combine the pasta and milk. ...
  2. Once the pasta is cooked, remove the pan from the heat and add the butter, cheddar cheese, salt, and pepper. ...
  3. Divide between serving bowls and top with the bread crumbs.
  4. Enjoy!
  5. All your favorite recipes, stored in one place.
May 4, 2023

What kind of cheese is in Panera's Mac & cheese? ›

About This. Tender shell pasta in a blend of rich cheeses including our tangy aged white cheddar cheese sauce.

Does Panera use artificial ingredients? ›

Our Food Beliefs serve as a compass, helping us provide meals that are delicious, and made with high-quality, select ingredients. Clean Foods - Clean simply means we don't fill our pantry with the artificial preservatives, sweeteners, flavors, and colors from artificial sources that are listed on our No No List.

Does Panera use real cheese? ›

Gooey, creamy grilled cheese sandwiches aren't just for kids these days. Our Country White Bread is layered with cheddar, gruyere and fontina cheeses and topped with crispy bacon to make this sandwich extra special.

What brand of apple chips does Panera use? ›

The brand that Panera uses is called Seneca Apple Chips. Thinly Sliced Tomatoes – You can also use cherry tomatoes or grape tomatoes. Crumbled Gorgonzola Cheese – If you don't like gorgonzola cheese, you can use feta cheese or blue cheese.

Who owns the most Panera franchises? ›

THE STORY OF COVELLI ENTERPRISES

Today, there are no McDonald's Restaurants in the Covelli portfolio. Instead, the Covelli family moved to Panera Bread franchises and is now the largest franchisee of the brand with over 300 locations in 8 states. The company also owns O 'Charley's Restaurants and Dairy Queens.

How healthy is Panera mac and cheese? ›

Panera Bread Mac & Cheese

Out of those calories, 580 calories come from fat, making it a high-fat option. The mac and cheese contain 64 grams of fat, including 35 grams of saturated fat and 2 grams of trans fats, which can negatively impact cardiovascular health.

What hot sauce does Panera use? ›

Panera Forms Partnership with Yellowbird Hot Sauce.

Does Panera mac and cheese come in a bag? ›

Panera's mac and cheese is made offsite, in a centralized kitchen, then shipped frozen to locations. Employees reheat bags of the mac and cheese individually when customers order the dish.

What are the 3 best cheeses for mac and cheese? ›

Cheddar, Gruyère, Monterey Jack, mozzarella, Fontina, and Gouda cheese are good options.

What is the most perfect cheese to use on Mac & cheese? ›

For a mac and cheese recipe, consider the combination of sharper cheddar cheeses and a flavorful Parmesan. This cheese adds a boost of fruity, nutty notes to your favorite macaroni recipes. Parmesan is also ideal for grating on top of mac and cheese before you bake it to add golden color.

Is Panera Bread Mac n cheese healthy? ›

Panera Bread Mac & Cheese

Out of those calories, 580 calories come from fat, making it a high-fat option. The mac and cheese contain 64 grams of fat, including 35 grams of saturated fat and 2 grams of trans fats, which can negatively impact cardiovascular health.

What is mac and cheese made of? ›

Pasta: Elbow macaroni is the classic mac and cheese shape, but any other short noodle will work like small shells, cavatappi, gemelli, campanelle, or radiator. Unsalted Butter + All-Purpose Flour: The combination of these creates a roux, which thickens the cheese sauce. Milk: The base of the cheese sauce!

Is Panera mac and cheese vegan? ›

If you've ever been to Panera, I am sure you have had their signature white cheddar mac and cheese. It's creamy, decadent, and total comfort food. Before I went plant-based, I used to love Panera's mac and cheese, however, since it has dairy, I don't eat it anymore. I knew everyone would love a vegan version.

What is mac and cheese cheese made of? ›

While cheddar cheese is most commonly used for macaroni and cheese, other cheeses may also be used — usually sharp in flavor — and two or more cheeses can be combined. Other cheeses can be used such as Gruyère, Gouda, Havarti, and Jarlsberg cheese.

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