Copycat Panera Mac and Cheese

Name: Copycat Panera Mac and Cheese
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Yield: 6 servings
Ingredients: 3-1/2 cups uncooked pipette pasta, such as Barilla Pipette, or medium pasta shells; 1/4 cup butter, cubed; 1/4 cup all-purpose flour; 2-1/2 cups 2% milk; 1/4 teaspoon pepper; 2 cups shredded white cheddar cheese; 4 slices white American cheese, chopped; 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese; Bread bowls, optional

Total Time Prep/Total Time: 25 min.

Yield 6 servings

Test Kitchen Approved

This copycat Panera mac and cheese recipe comes pretty close to the real deal. Serve it in a bread bowl to get the full cafe experience!

Ingredients

3-1/2 cups uncooked pipette pasta, such as Barilla Pipette, or medium pasta shells
1/4 cup butter, cubed
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
2-1/2 cups 2% milk
1/4 teaspoon pepper
2 cups shredded white cheddar cheese
4 slices white American cheese, chopped
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Bread bowls, optional

Directions

Cook pasta according to package directions; drain and set aside. In a large saucepan, melt butter over low heat; whisk in flour until smooth. Whisk in the milk and pepper. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Stir in cheeses until melted; stir in pasta. Serve in bread bowls if desired.

Nutrition Facts

1 cup: 538 calories, 27g fat (16g saturated fat), 79mg cholesterol, 565mg sodium, 50g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 2g fiber), 23g protein.

My kids and I love mac and cheese. We always get it in the bread bowls when we're at a restaurant, but with three cheeses, these white cheddar shells are filling on their own. —Steven Schend, Grand Rapids, Michigan

Recipe Creator