panera mac and cheese recipe copycat creamy recipe

Panera Mac and Cheese Recipe: The Creamiest Copycat You’ll Ever Make

/4 Comments/in /by Mary Hunt
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There’s nothing quite like a bowl of creamy, comforting mac and cheese, and when it comes to restaurant favorites, Panera Bread’s version is top-notch. But what if I told you that you could make a Panera mac and cheese recipe at home that’s even better—and cheaper? This creamy mac and cheese recipe is smooth, rich, and features a secret ingredient that takes it to the next level. Get ready to wow your family with this delicious homemade treat!

panera mac and cheese recipe copycat creamy recipe

The Secret to Panera’s Mac and Cheese Recipe

This copycat Panera’s mac and cheese recipe is, in my family’s opinion, even better than the real Panera menu item—and a whole lot cheaper! The secret lies in a small amount of Velveeta cheese, which, when combined with sharp white cheddar, creates a silky, creamy texture that is simply irresistible. I promise, your family will go nuts for this mac and cheese. Just don’t mention the V-word. It’ll be our little secret.

Why This Creamy Mac and Cheese Recipe is Better Homemade

Making this creamy mac and cheese recipe at home has several advantages. First, you have complete control over the ingredients, ensuring a fresher, higher-quality dish. You can also tweak the recipe to suit your family’s tastes—perhaps a little more cheese, a bit of extra seasoning, or even some added veggies for a nutritional boost. Plus, you’ll save money by avoiding restaurant prices, and there’s nothing quite as satisfying as serving up a homemade meal that everyone loves.

Save Money with Homemade Mac & Cheese

I took a moment to make an online visit to the Panera Bread nearest to me and placed an order for one bowl of their famous Mac & Cheese. Here’s the checkout total: $12.59+ $1.01 tax + $2 tip = $15.60. Lock eyeballs with that total for a moment.

Granted, the large Panera mac n’ cheese could possibly feed two (its portion size is two cups). Even so, the raging, out-of-control cost of eating out still brings tears to my eyes. Save yourself the expense and whip up this homemade creamy mac and cheese recipe for a fraction of the cost—your wallet will thank you!

Ingredients for the Ultimate Panera Mac and Cheese Recipe

The key to recreating Panera’s mac and cheese at home is using high-quality ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need:

  • Pasta (cavatappi, elbow, or shells)
  • Butter
  • All-purpose flour
  • Evaporated milk (or any milk except skim)
  • Heavy cream
  • Sharp white cheddar, shredded
  • Velveeta, cubed
  • Salt (more or less to taste)
  • Black pepper (more or less to taste)
  • Dry mustard powder

Step-by-Step Guide to Making Panera Mac and Cheese at Home

Now that you have all your ingredients ready, let’s dive into the step-by-step process to make this creamy, dreamy mac and cheese:

  1. Cook the pasta according to package instructions, ensuring to salt the water. Retain about 1 cup of the pasta water, then drain the pasta and set aside.
  2. Set a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the butter and allow it to completely melt. Add the flour and whisk vigorously until fully incorporated. Cook for one full minute.
  3. Reduce the temperature to medium. Pour in the milk, heavy cream, salt, dry mustard, and pepper. Continue whisking until it begins to bubble. Reduce the temperature to low and add the grated white cheddar and Velveeta cheeses. Stir until melted and fully incorporated.
  4. Add the cooked pasta, gently stirring until combined.
  5. Remove from the heat and allow to sit for 5 minutes as it thickens. If it gets too thick, return to low heat, adding pasta water a couple of tablespoons at a time while stirring gently until it is just perfect. Taste to check for seasoning and add more salt and pepper as desired.
  6. Enjoy!

Tips for Achieving Perfect Creamy Mac and Cheese

Achieving the perfect creamy mac and cheese involves a few simple tricks. First, always use a combination of cheeses—Velveeta and sharp white cheddar in this case—for a blend of flavor and creaminess. Second, be sure to cook the roux (butter and flour mixture) for a full minute to eliminate any raw flour taste. Finally, let the dish sit for a few minutes before serving to allow it to thicken up nicely.

Delicious Variations and Serving Suggestions

To keep things interesting, you can easily customize this creamy mac and cheese recipe. Add cooked bacon or ham for a meaty twist, or mix in some steamed broccoli or peas for added nutrition. You can also top the mac and cheese with breadcrumbs and bake it for a crunchy topping. Serve it alongside a fresh green salad or your favorite roasted vegetables for a complete meal that everyone will love.

panera mac and cheese recipe copycat creamy recipe
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4.50 from 12 votes

Panera Mac and Cheese: The Creamiest Copycat You'll Ever Make

This Copycat Panera's Mac and Cheese is, in my family's opinion, even better than Panera. It's smooth and creamy with a heavenly texture, thanks to a secret ingredient— Velveeta, but just a very small amount. I promise you, people will go nuts for this Mac & Cheese. Just don't mention the V-word. It'll be our little secret.
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time15 minutes
Total Time30 minutes
Course: Main Course, Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Servings: 8 (1-cup servings)
Calories: 655kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 pound pasta, (cavatappi, elbow, or shells)
  • ¼ cup butter
  • ¼ cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup evaporated milk, or any milk except skim
  • 2 cups heavy cream
  • 8 ounces sharp white cheddar, shredded See NOTE 1
  • 2 ounces Velveeta, cubed
  • ½ teaspoon salt, more or less to taste
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper, more or less to taste
  • 1 teaspoon dry mustard powder

Instructions

  • Cook the pasta according to package instructions making sure to salt the water. Retain about 1 cup of the pasta water, then drain the pasta and set aside.
  • Set a large pot over medium high heat. Add butter and allow to completely melt. Add the flour and whisk vigorously until fully incorporated. Cook for one full minute.
  • Reduce the temperature to medium. Pour in the milk, heavy cream, salt, dry mustard, and pepper. Continue whisking until it begins to bubble. Reduce temperature to Low and add the grated white cheddar and Velveeta cheeses. Stir until melted and fully incorporated.
  • Add the cooked pasta, gently stirring until combined.
  • Remove from the heat and allow to sit for 5 minutes, as it thickens. If it gets too thick, return to Low heat, adding pasta water a couple of tablespoons at a time while stirring gently until it is just perfect. Taste to check for seasoning. Add more salt and pepper as desired.
  • Enjoy!

Notes

I use Costco's English Coastal Cheddar, but any good, sharp white cheddar will do.

Nutrition

Calories: 655kcal | Carbohydrates: 52g | Protein: 20g | Fat: 41g | Saturated Fat: 25g | Cholesterol: 139mg | Sodium: 545mg | Potassium: 320mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 1482IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 381mg | Iron: 1mg

Question: What’s your secret ingredient for making the creamiest mac and cheese? Share your tips and tricks below.

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4 replies
  1. Great recipe says:

    Great recipe but at today’s market, the total for all the ingredients is about $9 – BUT the portion size is double the purchase at Panera.

    Reply
    • Mary Hunt says:

      I’ve never tried that but if I did, I think I would top it with some buttery breadcrumbs first. And test a small portion in a ramekin to avoid spoiling the entire recipe if it doesn’t work out. Be sure to share your outcome if you give it a try!

      Reply

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