Food Fashion and Flow: Panera Mac n Cheese   

Sunday, June 24, 2012

Panera Mac n Cheese



Macaroni and cheese is one of my favorite comfort foods. I grew up eating southern baked macaroni and cheese loaded with an obscene amount of cheddar cheese, but this creamy white macaroni and cheese is every bit as flavorful.  I was thrilled to find this recipe up for grabs on the Panera Bread website and couldn't wait to make it at home. 

My son and I love eating lunch at Panera, and this mac n cheese is one of our favorite items on the menu. This stove top mac n cheese is creamy with a hint of Dijon and plenty of  white cheese. Although it is not listed as an ingredient, I love to add a tiny dash of nutmeg to white sauces. It adds an incredible depth of flavor. There is nothing like simple comfort food to bring a smile to your face:-)


Panera Bread’s Signature Macaroni & Cheese
Adapted by Head Chef Dan Kish

Ingredients
1 (16-ounce) package of rigati pasta (or other small pasta shells)
¼ cup butter
½ cup all-purpose flour
2½ cups milk or cream
6 slices white American cheese, chopped
1 cup (8 ounces) shredded extra-sharp white Vermont cheddar
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon kosher salt
¼ teaspoon hot sauce

Directions
1. Prepare pasta according to package directions.

2. Melt butter over low heat. Whisk in flour and cook 1 minute, whisking constantly.

3. Gradually whisk in milk (or cream); cook over medium heat, whisking until mixture thickens and bubbles. Remove from heat.

4. Add cheeses, mustard, salt, and hot sauce, stirring until cheese melts and sauce is smooth.

5. Stir in pasta and cook over medium heat for 1 minute (or until thoroughly heated).

Serves 4 to 6


10 comments:

mr. pineapple man said...

Love Mac and cheese too! Definitely will need to try this!

Arr said...

I love Panera bread. I've never noticed the Mac n cheese. I will however try it this summer.

Bonnie said...

I dare you to show me a person who doesn't love macaroni and cheese. I don't think that person exists!

http://www.glamkittenslitterbox.com/
Twitter: @GlamKitten88

erica said...

Maybe I will have to try this... it might actually taste better then the mac and cheese out of the bag at Panera! xo

Anonymous said...

Oh, I love restaurant recipes. This looks delicious!

Choc Chip Uru @ Go Bake Yourself said...

Cheesy and super delicious :D

Cheer
CCU

JayMarie said...

Panera Bread is the best thing on earth and they're mac and cheese is the absolute best thing ever!

budgetchic said...

That's looks soooo good and am sooo hungry right now!! LOL

Nikell said...

This looks so good! I haven't been here in a while...love the new layout. (^_^)

Have a fabulous week,
Nikell

Brandi said...

I love Panera Bread, but I never had their mac and cheese. Thanks to you I can now try their recipe at home! Thank you for sharing.

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