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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

    Cup of Yum
  1. Cook pasta according to package directions in a large pot with well salted water.
Make Creamy White Cheddar Cheese Sauce
    Cup of Yum
  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. Serve
  6. 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.

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.

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