Panera Mac And Cheese Recipe | Copycat Panera Recipe

If you've ever tried Panera's Mac and Cheese, you know how perfectly creamy, rich in flavor, and comforting it can be. To avoid another takeout meal, I developed a Copycat Panera Mac and Cheese recipe that is so good you'll want to have it as a side dish for every meal.

There's something undeniably comforting about a big bowl of macaroni and cheese. Whether you're a kid or an adult, it's a dish that brings back memories of home and childhood. And when it comes to mac and cheese, Panera Bread has long been a go-to spot for many people.

Why You'll Love This White Cheddar Mac And Cheese

• Fast. A quick side dish that is ready in under 30 minutes.
• Easy. Follow just a few simple steps for a creamy mac and cheese that is ready with very little effort.
• Delicious. Flavorful, rich, and creamy, this will be your new go-to side dish for your favorite proteins.
• Versatile. Make this Panera Mac and Cheese recipe on your stovetop or in your Instant Pot with a variety of add-ins.

Made with a blend of sharp cheddar, Parmesan, and Romano cheeses, Panera's mac and cheese is creamy, rich, and oh-so-cheesy. The noodles are perfectly al dente, and the sauce is creamy and flavorful. It's the kind of dish that can turn a mediocre day into a great one with just a few bites.

What Is Panera Mac And Cheese Made Of?

One of the things that sets Panera's mac and cheese apart from other versions is that it's made with whole milk and cream, rather than the processed cheese often found in other versions. This gives it a rich, authentic flavor that you just can't get with processed cheese.

• Macaroni Noodles- You can also use penne, rotini, or small shells.
• Butter- Is the base of the roux for the sauce.
• Flour- Thickens the cheese sauce.
• White Cheddar Cheese- You can use a variety of shredded cheeses in place of white cheddar if you're having trouble finding it, but it will change the overall flavor of the recipe.
• Heavy Cream- Makes the pasta incredibly creamy.
• Milk- Turns the cheese into a creamy sauce instead of a stringy bite.
• Hot Sauce- Don't worry. This doesn't make it spicy. It's just enough to bring out the flavors of the white cheddar.
• Salt
• Pepper
• Ground Mustard

How To Make Panera Mac and Cheese In The Instant Pot

To Cook The Pasta

Cooking pasta in your Instant Pot couldn't be more simple! Just toss it in with water or broth, set the timer, and let it do all of the work for you without worrying about stirring or boiling over.

1. Place the macaroni noodles and water into the Instant Pot liner and secure the lid.
2. Cook under high pressure for 4 minutes and quickly release the pressure in the Instant Pot.
3. Remove the lid and stir the pasta. Remove the pasta from the Instant Pot and drain any excess liquid.

Create The Cheese Sauce

The cheese sauce is what sets this macaroni and cheese recipe apart from others. Creating a roux to make the cheese sauce thick and creamy and using white cheddar cheese for an extra flavorful bite are crucial in preparing a tasty bite. Here's how you do it:

1. Set the Instant Pot to saute then add the butter and allow it to melt. Sprinkle in the flour and stir to create a roux.
2. Stir in the salt, pepper, ground mustard, milk, and heavy cream.
3. Once the cream mixture is hot, slowly add in the cheese, one handful at a time to prevent clumping. Stir continuously until the cheese is incorporated.
4. Add the cooked pasta back into the cheese sauce that you have created stir until all of the pasta is coated.
5. Serve and enjoy!

Stovetop Instructions

If you don't have an Instant Pot or you have something else delicious cooking in your Instant Pot, you can also prepare this Copycat Panera Mac and Cheese recipe on your stovetop. Here's how:

1. Place a pot of salted water on your stovetop over medium heat and allow it to come to a boil.
2. Add the macaroni noodles and allow them to cook until al dente.
3. While the pasta is cooking, add the butter to a separate pan and turn on low heat until melted.
4. Sprinkle the flour into the melted butter to create a roux.
5. To the roux, add salt, pepper, ground mustard, hot sauce, milk, and heavy cream. Stir until thoroughly combined.
6. Slowly add in the cheese little by little until it is completely melted to create a cheese sauce.
7. Remove the cooked pasta from the pot and stir it into the cheese sauce you have created until the pasta is coated.
8. Serve and enjoy!

Variations

• Add a protein. Prepare some air fryer chicken thighs or some air fryer bacon to dice up and toss into the pasta for additional protein.
• Make it a sandwich. Panera has recently released a Grilled Mac and Cheese Sandwich that is delightful and easy to make at home. Prepare it just like a traditional grilled cheese sandwich and add a hearty amount of this macaroni and cheese to the middle.
• Bake a crispy crust. If you prefer your mac and cheese to have a crispy crust, you can give additional texture by sprinkling some panko bread crumbs and parmesan cheese on top and baking in the oven for a few minutes to crisp it up.

What To Serve With This Copycat Panera Mac and Cheese Recipe

No matter what you choose to serve this Instant Pot Panera Mac and Cheese with, it is sure to steal the show. That being said, you may want to enhance your dinner table with another dish or two to make a complete meal.

Here are a few of my favorite things to serve alongside this Instant Pot Mac and Cheese:

• Sous Vide Steak
• Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
• Roasted Ratatouille
• Air Fryer Philly Cheesesteak

How Long Does It Last?

One of the joys of a delicious pasta dish is how wonderfully the leftovers reheat. With a bite that is just as creamy as it was the day you made it, you will be just as excited to enjoy it as a side for your next family dinner.

For the best bite, store any leftovers you may have in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.

How To Reheat It

There are a couple of different ways you can reheat your Panera Mac and Cheese leftovers.

The quickest way by far is to zap it in the microwave. If you're going to use this method, add a few tablespoons of milk or heavy cream and then microwave on 50% power for 2-3 minutes, or until warm. To allow any cheese that may have solidified in the refrigerator to incorporate, stir halfway through the cooking time.

Another way to reheat your white cheddar mac and cheese is to warm it on the stovetop. For this, you will need to add the leftovers to a pan and warm it over medium heat. As with the microwave heating method, you may need to add a small amount of milk or cream.

More Delicious Comfort Foods

• Instant Pot Haluski
• Rice and Dal
• Chicken Pot Pie Soup

Pin It!

If you love this copycat Panera Mac and Cheese recipe as much as we do, make sure you share it with your friends on Facebook and Instagram so they can try it too! Don't forget to Pin it so you can make it again soon.

Don't forget to check out my other Best-selling Instant Pot Cookbooks!

Indian Instant Pot, Keto Instant Pot, Instant Pot Fast and Easy, Healthy Instant Pot & Vegetarian Instant Pot.