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.
Servings: 6
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!