Copycat Panera Mac and Cheese Recipe • Food Folks and Fun (2024)

This is THE recipe for Panera Mac and Cheese. I got it from their website a while back when they posted it for a short time! You MUST try this easy stovetop recipe.

It costs just $1.09 per serving to make this recipe at home. The recipe makes 6 servings for a total of about $6.55. That’s less than it costs to buy one bowl at Panera!

Copycat Panera Mac and Cheese Recipe • Food Folks and Fun (1)

Table of Contents

Why you will love Panera Bread Mac and CheeseWhen I was pregnant with my son, there were only two foods that I could stomach: bagels and Panera’s Mac & Cheese. I would have their mac & cheese weekly.

I’d get their half and half with an order of mac and cheese and an order of Panera Broccoli Cheese Soup. Okay, okay, if I’m goingto be honest, maybe it was more than once a week.

For me, this is the pinnacle of mac & cheese dishes; it’s rich, smooth, creamy, and chock-full of calcium from all that yummy cheese and milk.

Not only is this recipe amazingly delicious, but it’s also quick and easy to make and on the table in 30 minutes or less. This mac and cheese recipe is thick and smooth and so easy to make on the stovetop.

Panera Copycat Mac and Cheese ingredients

Per Serving Cost: $1.09

Recipe Cost: $6.55

1 pound Lumaconi pasta (I found it at Target) – $1.38
4 Tablespoons unsalted butter – $0.40
¼ cup all-purpose flour – $0.05
2 ½ cups milk – $0.40
4 ounces white American cheese – $1.52
8 ounces extra-sharp white Vermont cheddar – $2.76
½ teaspoon kosher salt –$0.02
¼ teaspoon hot sauce – $0.01

NOTE: The recipe prices are calculated by using grocery store websites. The actual cost of the recipe will vary depending on what ingredients you already have.

Cook’s tools for Panera Mac n Cheese

cheese grater
pasta pot
medium saucepan
whisk

Panera Mac n Cheese variations

You can use any type of pasta that you’d like. To make this recipe just like Panera’s, you need to use Lumaconi pasta. In its place, you can use medium shells, elbow macaroni, and Cavatappi.
If you’re serving this as a main dish, it serves 4-6. If you’re making this as a side dish, it serves 8-10.
I find that to get optimal results; you *must* use extra-sharp white cheddar and sliced white American cheese from the deli, not the fake stuff you find in the box.
Add 1 cup of chopped and steamed broccoli florets for broccoli mac and cheese.

How to make Panera Mac and Cheese

Gather all of the ingredients, and shred the cheese.
Cook the pasta as per the package instructions.
Melt butter.
Add flour and milk, and cook until thickened.
Whisk in cheese until melted.
Stir in pasta.
Serve immediately!

***Make sure you watch the recipe video in the recipe card below!

How to serve this Panera Mac and Cheese Recipe

Here are some tips for serving this mac and cheese:

As a main course:This mac and cheese is hearty and filling enough to be served as a main course. You could serve it with a side salad or some roasted vegetables.
As a side dish:This recipe would also make a great side dish for a holiday meal or barbecue. You could serve it with grilled chicken, fish, or pot roast.
In a grilled cheese sandwich:This mac and cheese would be delicious in a grilled cheese sandwich. Spread some of the mac and cheese on two slices of bread and grill until the bread is golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
In a baked potato:Top a baked potato with some of the mac and cheese and then bake for a few minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

How to store Panera Bread Mac and Cheese

SERVE: This is best served immediately after it’s made. With that said, you can keep it out for about an hour before it will need to be refrigerated.

STORE: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.

FREEZE: Because of all of the dairy products in this recipe, I do not recommend freezing it. The cheese sauce will be grainy once it’s defrosted.

REHEAT: Place the Panera Mac and Cheese in a saucepan set over medium-low heat. Add 3-4 tablespoons of milk and heat and stir the mixture until heated through about 3-6 minutes.

Copycat Panera Mac and Cheese Recipe • Food Folks and Fun (4)

Copycat Panera Mac and Cheese FAQs

What type of cheese is best for Mac and Cheese?

As with all mac and cheese recipes, it’s best to use cheese that is NOT pre-shredded because of the extra additives that prevents the cheese from clumping.
For this recipe it’s best to use extra-sharp white cheddar and white American cheese from the deli.

Is hot sauce needed in this recipe?

I think so, it’s strictly used to enhance the flavor of the dish. It’s such a tiny amount that it will not make the dish spicy.

Copycat Panera Mac and Cheese Recipe • Food Folks and Fun (5)

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Movie Theater Popcorn
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BBQ Chicken Pizza
Fried Apples
Chick-Fil-A Frosted Lemonade
Chicken Chow Mein
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Healthier General Tso’s Chicken
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4.25 from 98 votes

Panera Copycat Mac and Cheese

Recipe Cost $ $6.55

Serving Cost $ $1.09

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes minutes

Total Time 30 minutes minutes

6 people

Copycat Panera’s Mac and Cheese Recipe: this is their recipe for their famous rich and creamy Mac and Cheese. So good, you’ll love it.

Equipment

Cheese grater
pasta pot
medium saucepan
whisk

Ingredients

▢ 1 pound Lumaconi pasta or medium shells
▢ 4 Tablespoons unsalted butter
▢ ¼ cup all-purpose flour
▢ 2 ½ cups milk anything but skim milk
▢ 4 ounces (about 6 slices) sliced white American cheese from the deli counter, cut into thin strips
▢ 8 ozs extra-sharp white cheddar shredded
▢ ¼ teaspoon Dijon mustard optional
▢ 1 teaspoon kosher salt
▢ ¼ teaspoon hot sauce optional

Instructions

Prepare pasta according to package directions.
In large saucepan over low heat, melt butter. Whisk in flour and cook 1 minute, whisking constantly.
Gradually whisk in milk; cook over medium heat, whisking until mixture thickens and bubbles. Remove from heat.
Add cheeses, mustard, salt, and hot sauce, stirring until cheese melts and sauce is smooth.
Stir in pasta and cook over medium heat for 1 minute (or until thoroughly heated). Serve immediately.

Video

Notes

Some people find the Dijon mustard in the recipe to be a bit overwhelming, so feel free to cut back on it or omit it altogether.

Nutrition

did you love this recipe?

Share it with me on Facebook and find more recipes on foodfolksandfun for more!

Copycat Panera Mac and Cheese Recipe • Food Folks and Fun (7)

This post first appeared on FFF in 2014. I recently updated the recipe photos and video.

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Jillian

I’m Jillian, the creator behind Food Folks and Fun. I have over 30 years of experience cooking for others. There’s nothing I love more than cooking for my family. Food is love, and cooking isn’t just putting a meal on a plate: It’s putting a little part of myself into that meal.

Copycat Panera Mac and Cheese Recipe • Food Folks and Fun (2024)

FAQs

What is in Panera mac and cheese? ›

INGREDIENTS: Cooked Pasta (Water, Semolina Wheat Flour, Egg Whites, Niacin, Ferrous Sulfate, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid), Pasteurized Process Cheese (Cheddar Cheese [Pasteurized Milk, Cheese Culture, Salt, Enzymes], Water, Whey, Milkfat, Whey Protein Concentrate, Skim Milk, Sodium Citrate, Salt, ...

Discover More ›

What kind of pasta does Panera use? ›

A bakery-cafe inspired favorite made with a creamy blend of cheeses, including tangy Vermont white cheddar, perfectly nestled in uniquely shaped, tender pipette rigate pasta.

Know More ›

How healthy is Panera mac and cheese? ›

Nutrition & Allergens

Nutrition Information	Value
Calories	960 Cal
Calories from Fat	580 Cal
Fat	64 g
Saturated Fat	35 g

7 more rows

Read On ›

How to cook panera mac and cheese cup? ›

Do not boil. Microwave: Remove lid & film. Place cup on microwave-safe plate, cover loosely. Heat on high 2-3 minutes (times may vary) until hot (165 degrees F), stir halfway through, let stand 1 minute in microwave.

Get More Info Here ›

What is in Gordon Ramsay mac and cheese? ›

Ingredients

1 lb small elbow pasta.
4 cups whole milk.
8 tablespoons unsalted butter.
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese.
2 teaspoons kosher salt.
½ teaspoon ground black pepper.
2 cups bacon bits.
½ cup bread crumbs, toasted.

May 4, 2023

Find Out More ›

What kind of eggs does Panera use? ›

But if they didn't then, Panera uses some egg shortcuts now. The sandwiches with folded scrambled eggs include liquid whole eggs in the ingredients, while anything with an over-medium egg uses a pasteurized egg. Everything is still cooked to order, however.

Can you freeze Panera mac and cheese? ›

Panera at Home meals make it easy to experience the same amazing taste, in single-serving Panera Bread Mac & Cheese containers that are microwaveable and freezable.

Get More Info ›

What is Panera's white bread called? ›

Country White Bread

Simply smooth, soft and tasty, inspired by a bakery-cafe classic. No artificial preservatives, sweeteners, flavors or colors from artificial sources.

Keep Reading ›

What is the healthiest food option at Panera? ›

You won't be surprised to hear that salads are among the healthiest things to eat at Panera. They're loaded with veggies, so they tend to provide at least a good source of fiber. Plus, they have other filling ingredients, like chicken and beans, and the portion sizes are large enough to satisfy hungry bellies.

Explore More ›

Is mcdonalds healthier than Panera? ›

A new study has found that meals served at fast-casual restaurants such as Panera Bread Co. and Chipotle Mexican Grill, which are often perceived as healthier options, contain more calories than meals at fast-food restaurants like McDonald's.

Get More Info Here ›

Who makes Panera mac and cheese? ›

Panera Bread defended their product to The Washington Post and said the mac and cheese is, "made offsite with our proprietary recipe developed by our chefs." "It is shipped frozen to our bakery cafes - this allows us to avoid using preservatives which do not meet our clean standards," the company said.

Discover More Details ›

Should mac and cheese be runny or thick? ›

Mac and cheese is a thick, creamy mixture of cheese sauce and elbow macaroni.

Read The Full Story ›

Can you reuse cups at Panera? ›

In the spirit of reducing waste, you can now bring your own clean reusable drinkware to our participating cafes! Just ask your cashier to enter “Use My Own Cup” at checkout. * This includes Unlimited Sip Club members, too! Enjoy the self-serve drinks you love in your favorite cups, mugs and tumblers.

Show Me More ›

What is the MAC in mac and cheese made of? ›

Macaroni: This homemade mac and cheese starts with a box of uncooked macaroni noodles. Butter and flour: You'll need butter and flour to make a roux for the cheese sauce. You'll also need two tablespoons of butter for the topping. Milk: Use whole milk for the richest flavor and texture.

View Details ›

Does Panera mac and cheese have a lot of sodium? ›

This product contains a high percentage of the Institute of Medicine's recommended adequate intake for sodium of 1500 mg a day (IOM 2005).

Learn More Now ›

Is Panera's bread healthy? ›

Breads: The bread with the fewest calories is the whole grain miche with 130 per serving. Other good choices are the whole grain baguette or whole grain loaf with 140 calories (each option also has 3 grams of fiber per serving).

Learn More ›

What is white mac and cheese made of? ›

This homemade macaroni and cheese is made with a roux mixture of butter, flour, whole milk, and cream plus white cheddar cheese, white American cheese, spices, and pasta.