Panera Bread is one of my favorite spots to have a lunch date,
or take my huge backpack and camp out
while preparing lessons and studying the Word.
Of course, I like that they have wifi and power outlets and booths,
but the best part is their food!
Everything always tastes fresh and is healthier than other fast food options.
Plus, on their website they offer recipes for some of their most popular items
including their mac n cheese.
This macaroni and cheese is rich and creamy and super cheesy!
I thought it turned out really good and tasted just like the side dish you get there.
What You'll Need:
1 lb. pasta shapes, such as shells
4 tbsp. unsalted butter
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
2½ cups milk or half-and-half
1 tsp. salt
1½-2 tsp. Dijon mustard
¼ tsp. hot sauce
4 oz. white American cheese, finely chopped
8 oz. white cheddar cheese, shredded
1 lb. pasta shapes, such as shells
4 tbsp. unsalted butter
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
2½ cups milk or half-and-half
1 tsp. salt
1½-2 tsp. Dijon mustard
¼ tsp. hot sauce
4 oz. white American cheese, finely chopped
8 oz. white cheddar cheese, shredded
What To Do:
- Bring a large pot of water to boil. Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain well. Return to the stockpot off the heat.
- Meanwhile, in a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium-high heat. Stir in the flour and cook until light golden brown, whisking constantly, about 1½-2 minutes. Slowly whisk in the milk until no lumps remain. Stir in the salt, mustard, and hot sauce. Lower the heat to medium and continue to cook the sauce, stirring frequently, until it bubbles and thickens, about 6-8 minutes.
- Remove the sauce from the heat. Stir in the cheese a handful at a time, mixing until fully melted before adding more. Once all the cheese has been added and the sauce is smooth, pour the sauce over the pasta in the stockpot. Mix well until the pasta is fully coated in the sauce. Serve immediately.
from Annie's Eats, originally from Panera Bread
I had this last night (at Panera) and they don't use shells anymore! I was slightly disappointed. Can't wait to try it at home!
ReplyDeleteThis looks so good! New follower!
ReplyDeleteThis does sound really yummy! Like a classed up mac and cheese! haha! :)
ReplyDeleteThis looks delicious!
ReplyDeleteI actually went to Panera Bread on my birthday for lunch this week! I was wearing my birthday girl sash and the lady at the cash register sang happy birthday to me all by herself! It was precious.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comment on my 'changing' post recently... thank you for the reminder that He is in control. That is the thing I need to be reminded of above all else at this time in my life. New follower!
SoUtHeRnPiNkY.bLoGsPoT.cOm
this recipe sounds interesting. looks delicious!!!
ReplyDeleteYUM!
ReplyDeleteWow this looks AMAZING!! :)
ReplyDeleteI am filing this away to try sometime!
I am most definitely going to try this. Their mac and cheese is the best!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for your sweet comment on my blog and for the follow. I hope you're having a really great weekend :)
What kind Dijon mustard did you use?
ReplyDeleteKari, I just used the plain Dijon mustard. I think it was HEB store brand? Hope this helps!
DeleteWhat kind of hot sauce did you use? This interests me because I LOVE panera's mac and cheese!!
ReplyDeleteHi Cheyenne! I used what was on hand- Valentina's hot sauce. There is such a small amount of it for the amount of pasta that it won't really matter though!
DeleteI cooked this tonight for our thanksgiving dinner. It was amazing, the only problem I had was it got thick fast it did not stay creamy, in about 15 mins it was all stuck together :(
ReplyDeleteI've had the same trouble making a sauce from a roux before. Easy fix though! Just add more milk and heat through. As the sauce cools, it will thicken, so make sure it's very creamy from the start.
ReplyDeleteI made this today.....twice. excellent both times. I went to visit mom BC she just had dental surgery and is on a soft food diet. I thought there would be plant left to take home to my FAM.......wrong. it went. . .so much that when I got home I had to make it again for my hubby and boys. My 2 yr old loves it
ReplyDeleteJust finished dinner...it was great! Thank you for the recipe!
ReplyDeleteWant to make this tonight but I can't find white cheddar. Will regular cheddar work?
ReplyDeleteAmy, I get white cheddar from the deli counter at the supermarket but if you can't find it then regular cheddar will work. It will just affect the color!
DeleteJust made this today and it tasted delicious. Next time though I would use half the flour to make the sauce a little thinner.
ReplyDeleteThis dishes is so taste I had twice week ago with my friends.Fresh Direct Coupon
ReplyDelete