Go Back
Panera Bread Mac and Cheese

Panera Bread Mac and Cheese

Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Course Side Dish
Servings 10
Calories 408 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb shell pasta
  • 3 tbsp butter
  • 3 tbsp flour
  • 2 cups cold milk
  • 3/4 lb white American cheese
  • 1/4 lb shredded white sharp Cheddar cheese
  • 2 tsp Dijon mustard
  • 1 dash salt

Instructions
 

  • Cook the pasta according to the package directions. Drain well.
  • While the pasta is cooking, melt 3 tablespoons of butter in a large pot over medium heat. Stir in the flour to create a thick paste. Then slowly add the cold milk and Dijon mustard, and whisk the ingredients until they're combined. 
  • Next, add the white American cheese into the white sauce. If the white American cheese is not sliced, cut it into cubes first so that it melts easier.
  • Once the American cheese has fully melted, stir in the white sharp cheese and a dash of salt. The cheese sauce should be ready at the same time the pasta is finished cooking.
  • Stir the pasta into the cheese sauce, and serve hot.

Notes

  • If you don't have shell pasta, you can use macaroni, angel hair, or penne pasta.
  • Continually whisk the cheese sauce as you prepare it so that it doesn't burn at the bottom of the pot.
  • To keep the pasta from sticking together while you're cooking it, you can add two tablespoons of olive oil to the water and stir it well.