Copycat Panera Mac and Cheese
Enjoy the creamy comfort of our Copycat Panera Mac and Cheese recipe right in the comfort of your own kitchen. With its velvety cheese sauce paired with perfectly cooked pasta, it's no wonder people keep coming back for more.
Ingredients
- ¼ cup all purpose flour
- ¼ cup butter
- 16 oz pasta (Lumaconi, shells, elbows)
- 1 ½ cups milk
- 1 ½ cups heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard or ground mustard
- 8 oz white sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 8 slices white American cheese, cut into pieces
- ¼ teaspoon hot sauce (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the pasta shells according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a large saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Once melted, add the flour and whisk constantly for about 1-2 minutes to make a roux.
- Slowly pour in the milk and heavy cream, whisking constantly to prevent lumps from forming. Cook the mixture until it begins to thicken, about 5-7 minutes.
- Add black pepper, salt, Dijon mustard, and hot sauce (if using).
- Reduce the heat to low and gradually stir in the shredded cheddar and American cheese until melted and smooth.
- Add the cooked pasta shells to the cheese sauce and stir until evenly coated. Serve hot and enjoy!
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