If you’ve ever tried Panera’s Mac and Cheese, you know how perfectly creamy, rich in flavor, and comforting it can be. To avoid another takeout meal, I developed a Copycat Panera Mac and Cheese recipe that is so good you’ll want to have it as a side dish for every meal.
There’s something undeniably comforting about a big bowl of macaroni and cheese. Whether you’re a kid or an adult, it’s a dish that brings back memories of home and childhood. And when it comes to mac and cheese, Panera Bread has long been a go-to spot for many people.
Why You’ll Love This White Cheddar Mac And Cheese
- Fast. A quick side dish that is ready in under 30 minutes .
- Easy. Follow just a few simple steps for a creamy mac and cheese that is ready with very little effort.
- Delicious. Flavorful, rich, and creamy, this will be your new go-to side dish for your favorite proteins.
- Versatile. Make this Panera Mac and Cheese recipe on your stovetop or in your Instant Pot with a variety of add-ins.
Made with a blend of sharp cheddar, Parmesan, and Romano cheeses, Panera’s mac and cheese is creamy, rich, and oh-so-cheesy. The noodles are perfectly al dente, and the sauce is creamy and flavorful. It’s the kind of dish that can turn a mediocre day into a great one with just a few bites.
What Is Panera Mac And Cheese Made Of?
One of the things that sets Panera’s mac and cheese apart from other versions is that it’s made with whole milk and cream, rather than the processed cheese often found in other versions. This gives it a rich, authentic flavor that you just can’t get with processed cheese.
- Macaroni Noodles - You can also use penne, rotini, or small shells.
- Butter - Is the base of the roux for the sauce.
- Flour - Thickens the cheese sauce.
- White Cheddar Cheese- You can use a variety of shredded cheeses in place of white cheddar if you’re having trouble finding it, but it will change the overall flavor of the recipe.
- Heavy Cream - Makes the pasta incredibly creamy.
- Milk - Turns the cheese into a creamy sauce instead of a stringy bite.
- Hot Sauce - Don’t worry. This doesn’t make it spicy. It’s just enough to bring out the flavors of the white cheddar.
- Salt
- Pepper
- Ground Mustard
How To Make Panera Mac and Cheese In The Instant Pot
To Cook The Pasta
Cooking pasta in your Instant Pot couldn’t be more simple! Just toss it in with water or broth, set the timer, and let it do all of the work for you without worrying about stirring or boiling over.
- Place the macaroni noodles and water into the Instant Pot liner and secure the lid.
- Cook under high pressure for 4 minutes and quickly release the pressure in the Instant Pot.
- Remove the lid and stir the pasta. Remove the pasta from the Instant Pot and drain any excess liquid.
Create The Cheese Sauce
The cheese sauce is what sets this macaroni and cheese recipe apart from others. Creating a roux to make the cheese sauce thick and creamy and using white cheddar cheese for an extra flavorful bite are crucial in preparing a tasty bite. Here’s how you do it:
- Set the Instant Pot to saute then add the butter and allow it to melt. Sprinkle in the flour and stir to create a roux.
- Stir in the salt, pepper, ground mustard, milk, and heavy cream.
- Once the cream mixture is hot, slowly add in the cheese, one handful at a time to prevent clumping. Stir continuously until the cheese is incorporated.
- Add the cooked pasta back into the cheese sauce that you have created stir until all of the pasta is coated.
- Serve and enjoy!
Stovetop Instructions
If you don’t have an Instant Pot or you have something else delicious cooking in your Instant Pot, you can also prepare this Copycat Panera Mac and Cheese recipe on your stovetop. Here’s how:
- Place a pot of salted water on your stovetop over medium heat and allow it to come to a boil.
- Add the macaroni noodles and allow them to cook until al dente.
- While the pasta is cooking, add the butter to a separate pan and turn on low heat until melted.
- Sprinkle the flour into the melted butter to create a roux.
- To the roux, add salt, pepper, ground mustard, hot sauce, milk, and heavy cream. Stir until thoroughly combined.
- Slowly add in the cheese little by little until it is completely melted to create a cheese sauce.
- Remove the cooked pasta from the pot and stir it into the cheese sauce you have created until the pasta is coated.
- Serve and enjoy!
Variations
- Add a protein. Prepare some air fryer chicken thighs or some air fryer bacon to dice up and toss into the pasta for additional protein.
- Make it a sandwich. Panera has recently released a Grilled Mac and Cheese Sandwich that is delightful and easy to make at home. Prepare it just like a traditional grilled cheese sandwich and add a hearty amount of this macaroni and cheese to the middle.
- Bake a crispy crust. If you prefer your mac and cheese to have a crispy crust, you can give additional texture by sprinkling some panko bread crumbs and parmesan cheese on top and baking in the oven for a few minutes to crisp it up.
What To Serve With This Copycat Panera Mac and Cheese Recipe
No matter what you choose to serve this Instant Pot Panera Mac and Cheese with, it is sure to steal the show. That being said, you may want to enhance your dinner table with another dish or two to make a complete meal.
Here are a few of my favorite things to serve alongside this Instant Pot Mac and Cheese:
- Sous Vide Steak
- Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
- Roasted Ratatouille
- Air Fryer Philly Cheesesteak
How Long Does It Last?
One of the joys of a delicious pasta dish is how wonderfully the leftovers reheat. With a bite that is just as creamy as it was the day you made it, you will be just as excited to enjoy it as a side for your next family dinner.
For the best bite, store any leftovers you may have in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
How To Reheat It
There are a couple of different ways you can reheat your Panera Mac and Cheese leftovers.
The quickest way by far is to zap it in the microwave. If you’re going to use this method, add a few tablespoons of milk or heavy cream and then microwave on 50% power for 2-3 minutes, or until warm. To allow any cheese that may have solidified in the refrigerator to incorporate, stir halfway through the cooking time.
Another way to reheat your white cheddar mac and cheese is to warm it on the stovetop. For this, you will need to add the leftovers to a pan and warm it over medium heat. As with the microwave heating method, you may need to add a small amount of milk or cream.
More Delicious Comfort Foods
- Instant Pot Haluski
- Rice and Dal
- Chicken Pot Pie Soup
Panera Mac And Cheese Recipe | Copycat Panera Recipe
Ingredients
- ▢ 16 oz macaroni noodles
- ▢ 1/4 cup Butter
- ▢ 1/4 cup All Purpose Flour
- ▢ 2 cups Whole Milk
- ▢ 1/2 cup Heavy Cream
- ▢ 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- ▢ 1 tsp Kosher Salt
- ▢ 1/4 tsp Ground Black Pepper
- ▢ 1 tsp Cholula hot sauce
- ▢ 4 cups Water
- ▢ 2 1/2 cups white cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Set the Instant Pot to saute then add the butter and allow it to melt. Sprinkle in the flour and stir to create a roux.
- Stir in the salt, pepper, ground mustard, milk, and heavy cream.
- Once the cream mixture is hot, slowly add in the cheese, one handful at a time to prevent clumping. Stir continuously until the cheese is incorporated.
- Add the cooked pasta back into the cheese sauce that you have created stir until all of the pasta is coated.
- Serve and enjoy!
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Indian Instant Pot , Keto Instant Pot, Instant Pot Fast and Easy , Healthy Instant Pot & Vegetarian Instant Pot .
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Panera Mac And Cheese Recipe | Copycat Panera Recipe
Ingredients
- 16 oz macaroni noodles
- 1/4 cup Butter
- 1/4 cup All Purpose Flour
- 2 cups Whole Milk
- 1/2 cup Heavy Cream
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp Kosher Salt
- 1/4 tsp Ground Black Pepper
- 1 tsp Cholula hot sauce
- 4 cups Water
- 2 1/2 cups white cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Set the Instant Pot to saute then add the butter and allow it to melt. Sprinkle in the flour and stir to create a roux.
- Stir in the salt, pepper, ground mustard, milk, and heavy cream.
- Once the cream mixture is hot, slowly add in the cheese, one handful at a time to prevent clumping. Stir continuously until the cheese is incorporated.
- Add the cooked pasta back into the cheese sauce that you have created stir until all of the pasta is coated.
- Serve and enjoy!
Panera Mac And Cheese Recipe | Copycat Panera Recipe https://twosleevers.com/panera-mac-and-cheese-recipe/
This copycat Chipotle Guacamole recipe is a cheap and easy way to get that delicious burst of flavor you can find at your favorite fast food Mexican place without leaving the comfort of home.
Why You’re Going To Love This Dip
- Fast. Ready in under 30 minutes for a quick snack or appetizer .
- Easy. Who doesn’t love a tasty no cook recipe ?
- Low Carb. Only net carbs per serving.
- Gluten Free . Enjoy a flavorful addition to your next Mexican feast without worrying about a gluten allergy.
- Vegetarian . Get a quick boost of healthy fats and protein without the addition of meat.
What Is In Chipotle Guacamole?
- Avocado- This is the star of the show. If you want to be as authentic to the famous Chipotle guacamole as possible, use Hass avocados.
- Red Onion - This adds a bit of bite and heat to the recipe.
- Jalapeno - Most recipes tell you to seed your jalapenos, but for this flavor-packed dip you’ll want to use the whole pepper–seeds and all.
- Lime Juice - Adds some freshness and acidity to the guacamole and helps prevent browning.
- Cilantro - If you’re not a cilantro fan, you can substitute parsley, but it won’t taste identical to the bite you get from the restaurant.
- Salt - Just a pinch to bring out the natural delicious fresh flavors of the produce.
Why Is Chipotle Guac So Creamy?
I wish there was some sort of magic ingredient that Chipotle adds to their guacamole to make it extra creamy. That would make the perfect guacamole so much easier to achieve every time.
Unfortunately, the secret to a creamy guac is picking a perfectly ripe avocado. If you grab an avocado that is underripe, it will be more firm and will not become as creamy when mashed as a ripe one.
How To Make Chipotle Guacamole
- Use a sharp knife to cut the avocados in half and remove the pits.
- Scour the halved avocado with a knife to create a grid-like pattern and use a spoon to scoop the avocado into a large bowl.
- Add the lime juice and stir.
- Sprinkle the salt over the avocado and lime mixture.
- Use the back of a wooden spoon or a mortar and pestle to mash the avocado until the desired texture is achieved.
- Dice the jalapeno, cilantro, and red onion into small pieces.
- Gently stir the vegetables into the mashed avocado until it is well incorporated.
- Serve with your favorite dish and enjoy!
Variations
- Make it smooth. Chipotle guacamole has a few larger chunks of avocado throughout, but if you’re more of a smooth guac person, you can always toss your avocado into a food processor to get a creamy texture before folding in the rest of the chopped-up produce.
- Add some spice. Want to take the spice to another level? Double up the amount of jalapeno you use in the dish or add a sprinkle or two of dried red chili flakes.
- Twist up the texture. If you like a crunch in your bite that the red onion doesn’t seem to satisfy, you can always add in corn or pumpkin seeds for a fun and unusual addition to your dip.
How Does Chipotle Keep Guacamole Green?
If you’re a Guacamole connoisseur, you probably know that guacamole has a tendency to turn an off-putting brown color if it isn’t extremely fresh. Even a few minutes after it is prepared, it can begin to lose the vibrant bright green color that you know and love.
The reason that your guacamole turns brown is oxidation. Basically, any time too much oxygen touches fresh avocado, a reaction begins to happen and causes the color change.
So, in order to prevent the guacamole from turning brown, you need to stop the exposure to oxygen. The best way to do this is to use two different barriers.
First, you will want to use a layer of plastic wrap. Instead of just covering the rim of the airtight bowl with plastic wrap, you will want to press the plastic wrap directly onto the surface of the guacamole. This will prevent trapped oxygen from changing the top layer’s color.
Second, you will want to place a lid on the airtight container to prevent any additional airflow from creeping under the plastic wrap.
What To Serve With It
The obvious choice for something to serve alongside this copycat Chipotle Guacamole is a big bowl of tortilla chips. You really can’t a snacking combination that is much better together.
If you’re looking for something a little more outside the box to enjoy this guacamole recipe with, add a spoonful or two of it to your plate with one of these recipes:
- Chipotle Steak Tacos
- Flank Steak Fajitas
- Keto Chicken Enchiladas
How Long Does It Last?
Guacamole is one of those dishes that always tastes better when it’s made fresh. Depending on your appetite, or how many people you have to share with, you may find yourself with leftovers.
If you have some of this copycat Chipotle guac leftover you should store any leftovers in the refrigerator in an airtight container using the two layer method I discussed above. Enjoy any homemade guacamole you have within 3-4 days of preparing it.
More Magnificent Mexican Recipes
- Instant Pot Tamale Pie
- Carne Asada
- Mexican Pork Stew
Chipotle Guacamole | Copycat Chipotle Guacamole Recipe
Ingredients
- ▢ 2 Avocado
- ▢ 1/2 cup Red Onion. chopped
- ▢ 1 Jalapeño Peppers
- ▢ 2 tbsp Cilantro
- ▢ 1/4 tsp Salt
- ▢ 2 tsp lime juice
Instructions
- Use a sharp knife to cut the avocados in half and remove the pits.
- Scour the halved avocado with a knife to create a grid-like pattern and use a spoon to scoop the avocado into a large bowl.
- Add the lime juice and stir.
- Sprinkle the salt over the avocado and lime mixture.
- Use the back of a wooden spoon or a mortar and pestle to mash the avocado until the desired texture is achieved.
- Dice the jalapeno, cilantro, and red onion into small pieces. Gently stir the vegetables into the mashed avocado until it is well incorporated.
- Serve with your favorite dish and enjoy!
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Nutrition
Don’t forget to check out my other Ketocookbooks.
Keto Instant Pot, Keto Fat Bombs, Sweets, & Treats , and Easy keto in 30 minutes.
