Cut it into cubes beforehand to help it melt evenly. In a large saucepan, melt the butter over low heat. Don’t worry about rinsing the noodles-leaving the starchy residue will help the creamy cheese sauce adhere to them later.

When the noodles are al dente, drain and set them aside. (Don’t forget to salt the pasta water-one of the most important tips for cooking pasta.) 4 slices white American cheese, choppedĬook the pipetti pasta according to the package directions.3-1/2 cups uncooked pipetti pasta or medium pasta shells.Copycat Panera Mac and Cheese Recipe Ingredients We provide the details on how to make it at home, complete with step by step photos and all of our best mac and cheese tips. Thanks to this copycat Panera mac and cheese recipe, there’s no need for me to steal ( ahem, sample) from my brother’s usual order anymore-I can make a whole pot just for myself at home whenever I want, and still order the broccoli cheddar soup when I’m at Panera. While I couldn’t resist ordering the broccoli cheddar soup for myself, I couldn’t pass up a mouthful of those creamy, cheesy pasta shells, either. One of my favorite dishes to “taste test” was Panera’s mac and cheese. Admittedly, I offered to help not only to get dinner on the table more quickly-but also, so that I could sneak a bite of someone else’s order without them noticing. Whenever my family and I got takeout growing up, I’d always assist my parents with unpacking the meals and distributing them to the right people.

Simple roux for mac and cheese