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 Time5 minutesmins
Cook Time13 minutesmins
Total Time18 minutesmins
Course: Side Dishes
Cuisine: American
Servings: 6servings
Calories: 504kcal
Author: Eden Westbrook
Ingredients
16ozuncooked shells pasta
4tablespoon56 g unsalted butter
¼cup30 g all purpose flour
3cups710 mL whole milk, heavy cream, or half and half, cold
1teaspoonkosher salt
½teaspoonfreshly ground black pepper
½teaspoonmustard powder
1teaspoongarlic powder
½teaspoonhot sauce
8ozblock extra sharp white cheddar cheesegrated
4ozwhite American cheeseor 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.
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.
Notes
Don't like American Cheese?
That's fine! Use another great melting cheese like Emmental, Gruyere, or Havarti!