Copycat Panera Macaroni And Cheese Food

WHITE CHEDDAR MACARONI AND CHEESE (PANERA COPYCAT)

Steps:

• Boil 2 oz of pasta shells. Slightly undercook the pasta. Set aside.
• Microwave 4 tbs of butter with 8 tbs of flour for two minutes, stirring with a whisk after each minute.
• Then slowly add 2 cups of milk, stirring with the whisk constantly.
• Microwave the entire mixture for several minutes, stirring after each minute, until sauce thickens and takes on a matte finish. How many minutes will depend on the power of your microwave. (Mine took about 6 minutes).
• Add grated Vermont white cheddar to sauce. The sauce should be hot enough that the cheese will melt as you stir. If not, you may add the cheese then microwave a little more.
• For an extra creamy sauce, pour a small amount of the pre-cheese sauce into a separate bowl, add one egg and beat vigorously, then return the reserved sauce to the original sauce.
• Add cheese to taste. I used an entire 8oz block.
• Add a dash of grated American cheese (optional).
• Combine pasta and sauce, then pour into a well-greased baking pan. The pasta will absorb some of the liquid, so don't worry if the mixture seems more liquid-y than the way you would normally serve pasta. I used a 9 by 9 inches pan.
• Bake at 350 degrees covered for about 25 minutes or until bubbling and starting to become golden.

THIS COPYCAT RECIPE FOR PANERA'S MACARONI AND CHEESE TASTES JUST LIKE THE COMFORT FOOD CLASSIC

Steps:

• Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and set aside until ready to use. In a large pot on medium high heat add butter and allow to slowly melt. Whisk in the flour and cook for about one minute. Reduce heat to medium and slowly pour in milk and heavy cream. Continue whisking until mixture begins to thicken and bubble. Reduce to low and add shredded white cheddar. Stir until melted. Add cooked pasta. Stir until combined and season with salt. Remove from heat and allow to set up about 5 minutes.

COPYCAT PANERA MACARONI AND CHEESE

Steps:

• Cook pasta according to package directions while making the sauce. Drain and set aside until ready to use.
• In a large pot on medium high heat, add butter until melted. Whisk in the flour and cook for about 1 minute.
• Reduce heat to medium and add milk, heavy cream, salt, dry mustard, and pepper.
• Continue whisking until it begins to bubble. Reduce to low and add white cheddar. Stir until melted.
• Add cooked pasta, stirring until combined. Remove from heat and allow to sit about 5 minutes to thicken. Season with additional salt and pepper if desired.