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Creamy Vermont White Cheddar Mac and Cheese (Panera Bread Copycat)
Panera Bread's popular Vermont White Cheddar Mac and Cheese is super easy to make, with a well-seasoned cheese sauce and fun pasta shells! A perfect lunch or dinner side dish that's made in just 20 minutes.
Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
5 mins
Total Time
18 mins
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 504 kcal
Course:
Side Dish
Cuisine:
American
Ingredients
- 16 oz uncooked shells pasta
- 4 tbsp 56 g unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup 30 g all purpose flour
- 3 cups 710 mL whole milk, heavy cream, or half and half, cold
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
- 1/2 tsp mustard powder
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp hot sauce
- 8 oz block extra sharp white cheddar cheese grated
- 4 oz white American cheese or other mild melting cheese like white cheddar, in small pieces
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package directions in a large pot with well salted water.
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Make Creamy White Cheddar Cheese Sauce
- In a Dutch oven, melt butter over medium heat. When melted, whisk in flour and cook for about a minute, whisking constantly to cook out the raw flour taste.
- Begin splashing in the cold milk or heavy cream, small amounts at a time, whisking well. It will seize up, don't panic. Continue pouring milk in small amounts, constantly whisking to ensure smoothness, until the mixture is no longer a paste-like consistency but more like a soupy liquid.
- Turn the heat to medium-low, whisking occasionally and getting into the corners to ensure nothing sticks to the bottom or the corners and burns, until the bechamel becomes thick and coats the back of a wooden spoon, about 5-8 minutes. Remove from heat and whisk in mustard powder, garlic powder, and hot sauce.
- Stir in the sharp white cheddar and American cheeses, a small handful at a time, whisking in well until the cheese melts completely before adding the next addition. Continue until all the cheese is incorporated. Season with kosher salt and black pepper to taste.
- Serve
- Drain the pasta when ready and add it into the Dutch oven; stir to coat each piece of pasta well with cheese sauce. Serve immediately.
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Notes
- That's fine! Use another great melting cheese like Emmental, Gruyere, or Havarti!
Nutrition Information
Serving
1g
Calories
504kcal
(25%)
Carbohydrates
37g
(12%)
Protein
22g
(44%)
Fat
30g
(46%)
Saturated Fat
17g
(85%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
10g
Trans Fat
1g
Cholesterol
89mg
(30%)
Sodium
1021mg
(43%)
Fiber
2g
(8%)
Sugar
2g
(4%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 6servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 504
% Daily Value*
Serving | 1g | |
Calories | 504kcal | 25% |
Carbohydrates | 37g | 12% |
Protein | 22g | 44% |
Fat | 30g | 46% |
Saturated Fat | 17g | 85% |
Polyunsaturated Fat | 10g | 59% |
Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
Cholesterol | 89mg | 30% |
Sodium | 1021mg | 43% |
Fiber | 2g | 8% |
Sugar | 2g | 4% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.