Panera Mac and Cheese
 
Prep time
Cook time
Total time
 
Recipe type: Pasta
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 4
Ingredients
  • 1 pound medium sized pasta shells, uncooked
  • ¼ cup butter
  • ¼ cup all purpose flour
  • 2½ cups milk
  • 6 slices white American cheese*
  • 8 ounces extra sharp white Vermont Cheddar (I used the Cracker Barrel brand), shredded
  • 1 teaspoon salt
Instructions
  1. Cook the noodles per the instructions on the package. Drain the noodles and set aside.
  2. In a large saucepan, melt the butter over low heat. Slowly whisk in the flour, stirring constantly, until the flour is well combined with the butter, creating a roux.
  3. Increase the heat to medium, and slowly add the milk. Continue to stir the mixture, and cook until the milk mixture becomes thick and small bubbles start to form on the top.
  4. Remove the saucepan from heat and add the American and white cheddar cheeses as well as the salt. Stir until all of the cheese has melted into the sauce.
  5. Add the pasta to the sauce, stirring so that the pasta is coated in the sauce and heat over medium heat until the pasta is hot, about 2 minutes.
  6. Serve immediately.
Notes
* I highly suggest using the high quality white American cheese which can be purchased in the deli section of the grocery store. You can even purchase only the amount necessary for this recipe and not have to worry about finding uses for the rest of the cheese!
Recipe by The Little Chef at http://littlechefblog.com/panera-mac-cheese/