Panera Broccoli Cheddar Mac and Cheese (Easy Copycat Recipe!)

There’s something almost unfair about how addictive Panera’s Broccoli Cheddar Mac and Cheese is. One forkful turns into another, and suddenly you’re scraping the bottom of the plate, chasing every last bit of that velvety cheese sauce. It’s creamy, rich, comforting, and so easy to replicate at home.

The best part about making it at home is that the homemade version lets you customize everything while still capturing that unmistakable Panera creaminess. Make it extra cheesy or add a kick of cayenne. Make it how you want it with no mystery additives and no waiting in line or paying high prices.

If you’ve ever struggled with grainy cheese sauce, clumpy texture, or bland mac and cheese, don’t worry. Throughout this article, I’ll walk you through exactly how to build a proper roux and how to melt cheese so that it turns into a luxuriously smooth sauce without separating. These small details are what transform a basic mac and cheese into something unforgettable.

Read on to learn how to create Panera’s Broccoli Cheddar Mac and Cheese from scratch using simple, accessible ingredients. Just real cheese, fresh broccoli, and a foolproof method that guarantees a cozy, satisfying flavor every time.

What Is Panera Broccoli Cheddar Mac and Cheese?

The Panera Broccoli Cheddar Mac and Cheese is often called a hybrid, or the child, of two of Panera’s more popular dishes: the white cheddar mac and cheese and the broccoli cheddar soup. These two creamy, comforting dishes are delicious on their own, but become a phenomenal vegetarian favorite when they come together as they do in this recipe.

This copycat recipe takes the best elements from their two beloved dishes: the creamy, thick white cheddar cheese sauce and the velvety broccoli and cheddar blend. With tender vegetables, rich sauce, and just the right blend of seasonings, it’s the perfect dish for a cozy weeknight dinner.

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Panera Broccoli Cheddar Mac and Cheese

Elevate your mac and cheese game by combining the creamy richness of cheddar with the perfect blend of spices. Recreate the Panera experience at home and savor each delightful, cheesy bite.

Prep Time20 minutes mins

Cook Time30 minutes mins

Total Time50 minutes mins

Course: Dinner, Lunch

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Panera Broccoli Cheddar Mac and Cheese

Servings: 6

Author: Mackenzie

Ingredients

• 2 cups macaroni noodles, uncooked
• ¼ cup butter, unsalted
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 1 cup carrots, diced
• 2 cups broccoli florets
• ¼ cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cup milk, 2% or whole
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup chicken or vegetable broth
• 1 tsp salt
• ½ tsp white pepper
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp dry mustard
• ½ tsp smoked paprika
• 1 cup extra sharp white cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1 cup white American cheese, shredded
• 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded

Instructions

• Gather and measure out all ingredients.

Cook Pasta & Vegetables:

• Cook macaroni according to package instructions until al dente.
• In a large saucepan, melt 4 tbsp butter over medium heat. Add the broccoli, carrots, and onions, and sauté until tender, about 10 minutes. Remove to a plate or bowl and cover to keep warm.

Cheese Sauce:

• In the same pan used for the veggies, melt the remaining 4 tbsp butter over medium heat, and whisk in the flour until smooth and combined.
• Slowly pour in heavy cream and whole milk, stirring continuously. Once combined, pour in the broth and stir to incorporate.
• Continue to stir slowly for a few minutes as the sauce thickens.
• Lower the heat and add the seasonings: salt, white pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, dry mustard, and smoked paprika. Stir to combine.
• Gradually add in handfuls of the shredded cheeses, stirring to combine and melt. Once all of the cheese is incorporated and melted, remove the pan from the heat.

Putting it Together:

• Add the macaroni and the vegetables into the cheese sauce and toss to evenly coat everything in the sauce. Let it sit for about 2 minutes to allow the flavors to settle together.
• Portion onto plates and serve warm.

Notes

• Measure out all of your ingredients and prep (shred the cheese, chop the vegetables, measure the spices, etc.) before beginning this recipe. It will make the process much smoother!

Step-by-Step Instructions

The step-by-step instructions below break down the recipe with some helpful tips and videos for a mac and cheese recipe you’ll want to make every chance you get!

Step 1: Mise en Place

Mise en place is the process of gathering, prepping, and organizing all of the ingredients and tools that you’ll need for a recipe.

Doing all of this before you begin cooking will help you have a smooth and successful time making this recipe!

Step 2: Cook Pasta

Cook the macaroni noodles in salted boiling water according to the package directions until al dente. (Don’t overcook the pasta so that it is too soft) Drain the pasta and set aside.

Step 3: Cook Vegetables

While the macaroni is cooking, in a large saucepan, melt 4 tbsp of butter over medium heat. Add the 2 cups of broccoli florets, 1 diced onion, and 1 cup of diced carrots.

Sauté until the veggies are tender, about 10 minutes. Set them aside in a bowl or plate and cover to keep warm.

Step 4: Make the Roux

In the same pan used for the veggies (less dishes to do later on!), melt the remaining 4 tbsp of butter over medium heat. When the butter is melted, whisk in the 1/4 cup of all-purpose flour, and continue whisking until smooth and combined.

This short video below shows you the perfect technique for making a roux:

Step 5: Make the Cheese Sauce

To the roux, slowly pour in 1 cup of milk and 1 cup of heavy cream, stirring continuously. Once combined, pour in 1 cup of broth and stir to incorporate.

Continue to whisk slowly for a few minutes as the sauce thickens.

Lower the heat and add all of the seasonings.

Gradually add in handfuls of the shredded cheeses, stirring to combine and melt. Once all of the cheese is incorporated and melted, remove the pan from the heat.

Step 6: Put it All Together

Add the cooked macaroni and vegetables to the cheese sauce and toss to evenly coat everything in the sauce.

Step 7: Enjoy!

Let the mac and cheese sit for about 5 minutes, so that all of the flavors can blend together and the cheese sauce can settle. Then, portion the homemade Broccoli Cheddar Mac and Cheese onto plates, serve warm, and enjoy!

Tips for Success

Even simple comfort food has a technique behind it. These tips help to ensure a flawless texture and flavor in your mac and cheese.

Use Block Cheese, Not Pre-Shredded

Pre-shredded cheeses contain additives that prevent them from melting smoothly. Buy blocks of cheese and shred them at home using a cheese grater. Freshly shredded cheese melts creamier and tastes better.

Control the Heat

Cheese sauce can break or separate when it is overheated. After making the roux and adding in the milk, heavy cream, and broth, turn the heat down to low. Then, add in your seasonings and your shredded cheeses. Add the cheese in handfuls and stir to help it melt and incorporate before adding more cheese.

Once the cheese goes in, keep the heat low. If your sauce looks grainy, it’s usually because it got too hot.

Salt Your Pasta Water Generously

The pasta water for your macaroni noodles should taste like the sea. (Don’t worry, the pasta is only absorbing a small amount of the salt that goes into the water) Salting your pasta water is an easy way to bring more flavor to your dishes, since this seasons the pasta as it’s cooking, and adds another layer of depth to your mac and cheese dish.

Balance the Cheeses

A variety of cheeses brings a variety of flavors. Extra sharp white cheddar, sharp yellow cheddar, and a milder American cheese come together to create a creamy and complex flavor for this mac and cheese. You’ll have the best results when you use a blend of cheeses in any mac and cheese recipe.

Serving Suggestions & Variations

This dish is comforting on its own, but with a few additions or pairing suggestions, it becomes the centerpiece of a perfect meal.

Pairing Ideas

Make the meal complete with a few favorite mac and cheese sidekicks!

• Fresh and crispy green salad with vinaigrette
• Tomato soup for an extra cozy combo
• Roasted chicken
• Garlic bread

Bake It!

After mixing it all together, transfer the mac and cheese to a baking dish. Top it with:

• Extra shredded cheese
• Buttered breadcrumbs

Bake at 375ºF for about 15-20 minutes, or until the top is golden and bubbly.

Protein Add-Ins

Boost this mac and cheese with some extra servings of protein. Try it out with:

• Grilled or roasted chicken
• Crispy bacon
• Smoked sausage

More Veggies

Throw even more veggies into this mac and cheese for more flavor and even more nutrients.

• Spinach
• Caramelized onions
• Mushrooms
• Roasted cauliflower

Make It Lighter

Lighten the mac and cheese up a bit with a few simple swaps.

• Use half-and-half instead of heavy cream
• Opt for 2% milk instead of whole milk
• Swap the cheese for a reduced-fat option
• Increase the broccoli or add in some more of the veggie suggestions above!

Mac and Cheese FAQs

Here are some answers to the most common reader questions I get asked. If you have more mac and cheese thoughts, questions, or comments on your mind, be sure to let me know in the comments section below!

Can I Make This Recipe Gluten-Free?

With a few simple swaps, this recipe can easily be made gluten-free! Use a gluten-free pasta for your macaroni and substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free all-purpose blend. One of my favorite gluten-free flours to use is this King Arthur Measure for Measure, as its a simple and easy 1:1 substitute for wheat flour in your cooking and baking recipes.

Can You Freeze Broccoli Cheddar Mac and Cheese?

Technically, yes, you can freeze this mac and cheese dish, but freezing it does change the texture a bit. When sauces made with dairy are frozen and reheated, they can separate when reheating. But if you don’t mind a slight texture change, this can be frozen.

To freeze it: Let the dish cool completely first, then store it in an airtight, freezer-safe container. Reheat it on the stove over low heat and add a splash of milk while stirring to help bring that sauce back to its best consistency.

In general, this mac and cheese is best enjoyed freshly made, or store it in an airtight container in the fridge and enjoy within 3-4 days.

How Healthy is this Dish?

Mac and cheese always has and always will be a comfort food. Comfort foods aren’t usually known for being low-calorie. While this Broccoli Cheddar Mac and Cheese is high in calories and fat due to the cheeses, milk, and heavy cream, the addition of broccoli, carrots, and onions adds some fiber and vitamins to the dish. As well, you can lighten the recipe with reduced-fat dairy choices.

One of the best ways to enjoy this dish without feeling too heavy is to enjoy it in portions. Portion control is an important part of a balanced diet, and enjoying just enough of this mac and cheese will bring you all the cozy comfort this dish has without feeling overfull and saturated. Plus, then you’ll have leftovers to look forward to the next day!

Why Is My Cheese Sauce Grainy?

The most common reason a cheese sauce can turn grainy is being cooked over too high a heat. Be sure tolower the heat to low before adding in your spices and cheeses to ensure the cheese doesn’t separate and turn grainy. As well, buy blocks of cheese and shred them yourself at home. Pre-shredded cheeses have additives that are meant to keep them from melting as well, which can affect the texture of your cheese sauce.

The Best Comfort Food

This Panera-style broccoli cheddar mac and cheese isn’t just another copycat recipe. It’s comfort food made with intention. Shredding the cheese for a homemade cheese sauce and cooking fresh vegetables to the perfect, tender texture make this dish far more satisfying to enjoy from the comfort of your home. There is nothing like homemade comfort food.

By the time you’re done, you won’t just have another mac and cheese recipe. You will have the mac and cheese recipe. A creamy, rich, and deeply flavorful broccoli cheddar mac and cheese that no one can resist. Whether you’re making this for a cozy weeknight dinner or a potluck crowd-pleaser, this recipe will bring that nostalgic and comforting feeling to all who enjoy it.

If you try this recipe, don’t be surprised when your friends and family start requesting it for every get-together. Be sure to print or save this recipe using the printable recipe card above, and leave a comment to let me know how you liked this broccoli cheddar mac and cheese!

Let Us Know How You Like It!

If you tried this recipe at home and loved it, be sure to drop a comment below! Did you try any variations or pair it with another favorite recipe to complete the meal? Share your experience to connect with other readers!