Copycat Panera Macaroni and Cheese Recipe | Yummly (2024)

FAQs

What are the ingredients in Panera mac and cheese? ›

Cooked Pasta (Semolina Wheat Flour, Egg Whites, Niacin, Ferrous Sulfate, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid), Pasteurized Process Cheese Spread (Cheddar Cheese [Pasteurized Milk, Cheese Culture, Salt, Enzymes], Water, Whey, Whey Protein Concentrate, Milkfat, Skim Milk, Sodium Citrate, Lactic Acid, Salt), ...

Panera Bread defended their product to The Washington Post and said the mac and cheese is, "made offsite with our proprietary recipe developed by our chefs." "It is shipped frozen to our bakery cafes - this allows us to avoid using preservatives which do not meet our clean standards," the company said.

Like at many chain restaurants, Panera's mac and cheese arrive at their stores pre-made and frozen. Workers then set the bag of mac and cheese in a simmering vat of water for 20 minutes, a process called "re-thermalizing," which basically just means they're thawing it and heating it through so it's ready to serve.

Our Food Beliefs serve as a compass, helping us provide meals that are delicious, and made with high-quality, select ingredients.

All That Delicious Bread is Baked Fresh Daily

Panera employs over 6,000 bakers who make more than 250 million bagels and 50 million baguettes each year. Every night, fresh dough is delivered to all Panera locations from Fresh Dough Facilities across the country.

Panera Mac and Cheese is not the typical yellow or bright orange Mac and cheese you might be used to. It's actually a white/light yellow color because it's made with white cheddar – our most important ingredient!

THE STORY OF COVELLI ENTERPRISES

Today, there are no McDonald's Restaurants in the Covelli portfolio. Instead, the Covelli family moved to Panera Bread franchises and is now the largest franchisee of the brand with over 300 locations in 8 states. The company also owns O 'Charley's Restaurants and Dairy Queens.

The brand that Panera uses is called Seneca Apple Chips. Thinly Sliced Tomatoes – You can also use cherry tomatoes or grape tomatoes. Crumbled Gorgonzola Cheese – If you don't like gorgonzola cheese, you can use feta cheese or blue cheese. Pecan Halves – Finely diced.

Panera Forms Partnership with Yellowbird Hot Sauce.

Is Panera mac and cheese white cheddar? ›

About This. Tender shell pasta in a blend of rich cheeses including our tangy aged white cheddar cheese sauce.

What Is the Best Cheese for Mac and Cheese? Sharp cheddar is the overwhelming popular choice, but for extra-creamy results, we think medium cheddar is even better. Other delicious options include Gruyère, smoked Gouda, and Monterey Jack.

Gruyere is a classic addition because it melts much like Cheddar, but has a lovely nutty flavor. Other classics include Gouda, Muenster, Parmesan, fontina, Havarti and Monterey Jack. Brie works well too, just make sure you remove the rind before mixing it in.

Panera Bread Mac & Cheese

Out of those calories, 580 calories come from fat, making it a high-fat option. The mac and cheese contain 64 grams of fat, including 35 grams of saturated fat and 2 grams of trans fats, which can negatively impact cardiovascular health.

Pasta: Elbow macaroni is the classic mac and cheese shape, but any other short noodle will work like small shells, cavatappi, gemelli, campanelle, or radiator. Unsalted Butter + All-Purpose Flour: The combination of these creates a roux, which thickens the cheese sauce. Milk: The base of the cheese sauce!

If you've ever been to Panera, I am sure you have had their signature white cheddar mac and cheese. It's creamy, decadent, and total comfort food. Before I went plant-based, I used to love Panera's mac and cheese, however, since it has dairy, I don't eat it anymore. I knew everyone would love a vegan version.

While cheddar cheese is most commonly used for macaroni and cheese, other cheeses may also be used — usually sharp in flavor — and two or more cheeses can be combined. Other cheeses can be used such as Gruyère, Gouda, Havarti, and Jarlsberg cheese.