Description
Indulge in the rich and creamy goodness of this Panera Mac and Cheese recipe. Perfect for a cozy night in or a family dinner, this dish will satisfy your comfort food cravings with its velvety cheese sauce and tender pasta shells.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta:
- 1 pound pasta shells
Cheese Sauce:
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 1/2 cups whole milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon white pepper
- 2 1/2 cups white cheddar cheese (shredded)
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese (grated)
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Boil the pasta shells according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Prepare the Cheese Sauce: In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour to make a roux. Gradually add milk and cream, stirring until thickened. Season with mustard, salt, and pepper. Reduce heat and stir in cheeses until melted.
- Combine and Serve: Add cooked pasta to the cheese sauce, stirring gently. Heat through for a few minutes. Serve warm.
Notes
- Use high-quality white cheddar for a smoother sauce.
- Avoid pre-shredded cheese for best results.
- You can use elbow macaroni or cavatappi pasta as substitutes.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 540
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 470mg
- Fat: 32g
- Saturated Fat: 19g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 43g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
