Description
Indulgent Panera Mac & Cheese is a creamy, cheesy pasta dish that brings the delightful essence of your favorite café meal right into your kitchen, perfect for comfort food lovers.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 8 oz elbow macaroni
Cheeses
- 8 oz sharp cheddar cheese
- 8 oz Monterey Jack cheese
Sauce
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp flour
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil. Add the elbow macaroni and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set aside.
- Prepare the Cheese Sauce: In the same pot, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for about 1 minute until bubbly. Slowly pour in the heavy cream while whisking continuously until the mixture thickens.
- Add the Cheese: Reduce the heat to low and gradually add the cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese. Stir until the cheese is completely melted and the sauce is smooth.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the cooked pasta to the cheese sauce and stir until all the pasta is generously coated with the creamy cheese mixture.
Notes
- Use fresh cheese for the best flavor and texture.
- Don’t overcook the pasta, undercooking slightly prevents mushiness.
- Maintain low heat when adding cheese to avoid clumping.
- Season continually while cooking for optimal flavor.
- Experiment with additional flavors like garlic or onion.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 500
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
Keywords: Mac and Cheese, Comfort Food, Pasta, Cheesy, Quick Meal