White Cheddar Mac and Cheese (Panera Copycat)
Indulge in the creamy, comforting goodness of White Cheddar Mac and Cheese (Panera Copycat). This delightful dish combines just six simple ingredients to create a rich, velvety cheese sauce that elevates traditional mac and cheese into a gourmet experience.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: Serves 4
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 ounces pipettes or small pasta
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 cups half & half
- 10 ounces white cheddar cheese (shredded)
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a microwave-safe bowl, heat half & half until hot but not boiling. Stir occasionally.
- In a large pot over low heat, melt butter; whisk in flour and cook for 2 minutes.
- Slowly add warm half & half while whisking constantly until smooth and thickened.
- Remove from heat and stir in shredded white cheddar and salt until melted.
- Combine drained pasta with the cheese sauce and stir gently until well coated.
- Serve immediately for the best taste and texture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (240g)
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 650mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 48g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 16g
- Cholesterol: 70mg