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Copycat Panera Mac and Cheese

This copycat Panera Mac and Cheese features creamy cheddar sauce over tender elbow pasta, offering a rich, comforting, and indulgent taste.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Course Main Course, Side Dish
Servings 4

Ingredients
  

  • 3 cups pipette pasta
  • 2 tbsp salt
  • 3 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 3 tbsp all purpose flour
  • 2 cups milk
  • 1 tsp ground mustard
  • 1 tsp pepper for finishing
  • ¾ cup white cheddar cheese shredded
  • ¾ cup white American cheese shredded

Instructions
 

  • To a pot of water, add salt. When the water is boiling, add in pipette pasta and cook until al dente. This should take 8 minutes. Strain pasta and set aside.
  • To a separate pot on medium-low heat, add in butter. Once melted, add in flour and stir to combine. Stir to ensure there are no lumps.
  • Whisk in milk and stir until it starts to thicken.
  • Add in cheeses and ground mustard. Whisk until smooth. This will take a few minutes.
  • Combine pasta and sauce and stir to evenly coat pasta.
  • Top with black pepper and serve immediately in a bread bowl or by itself.