u003cstrongu003eHow do I store leftoveru003c/strongu003e mac and cheese?

Transfer the Panera bread copycat leftovers into an u003ca href=u0022https://amzn.to/3D35Xn5u0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eairtight containeru003c/au003e in the fridge.

Copycat Panera Broccoli Cheddar Mac and Cheese

Jump to Recipe - Print Recipe

Made with simple everyday ingredients, this Copycat Panera Broccoli Cheddar Mac and Cheese just hits the spot every time! Bringing together this classic mac and cheese and broccoli cheese soup, this one pot pasta is so creamy and cheesy.

Rich and thick, this homemade version of Panera Bread's broccoli cheddar mac and cheese is a classic that I can never get enough of! My go-to order at Panera, this creamy mac and cheese is impossible to turn down. You're going to want seconds!

A bowl of copycat panera broccoli cheddar mac and cheese with a fork.

Why You'll Love This Mac and Cheese

It's beyond easy to make. You can make this in the time it takes to go out to the store to order this cheddar mac and cheese!
The variations you can taste on this is endless. Add some heat to make the pasta spicer, add some protein if you want it more hearty, etc. Shredded chicken is great for this mac and cheese!
Your kids won't even notice the extra vegetables! The cheese sauce is magical and coats the vegetables wonderfully.

Ingredients You'll Need

Ingredients needed to make copycat panera broccoli cheddar mac and cheese.

pasta — I use macaroni pasta but you can use any small shells pasta. Panera Bread uses pipe rigate pasta but it can be hard to find.
olive oil — or oil of your choice.
onion — use yellow onion, sweet onion, or any onion you have on hand.
broccoli — make sure to cut it into small pieces.
carrot — I only use one but you can add more.
unsalted butter — use unsalted butter as there's already salt in the recipe.
all-purpose flour — this is a must for the roux, do not skip it!
whole milk and heavy cream — this is the base of the cheese sauce. I prefer whole milk and heavy cream as it gives you the creamiest sauce.
salt and white pepper
onion powder and garlic powder
dry mustard — Panera bread uses mustard seed so I use dry mustard in its place.
sharp yellow cheddar cheese — I recommend you freshly grate the cheese as pre-shredded cheese have a coating on it to prevent it from clumping, so it doesn't melt very well.

How To Make Copycat Panera Broccoli Cheddar Mac and Cheese

In a large pan or Dutch oven, bring salted water to a boil and cook your pasta and cook until al-dente. See the package of your pasta for instructions.
Drain and set aside.

To the same pot over medium heat, add the olive oil and saute the diced onion, broccoli, and carrot for 2 to 3 minutes and set aside.
Wipe down the pot and then melt the butter.

Add the flour, bit by bit, and whisk until evenly combined. Cook for a minute.
Slowly pour in the milk and cream and whisk until combined. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for about 3 to 5 minutes until thickened. Do not allow it to come to a boil.
Add the salt, pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, and dry mustard to the mixture and whisk to combine.

Add the cheese and mix until melted.
Add the pasta, onion, broccoli, and grated carrots to the cheese sauce and mix together until everything is fully coated.

Recipes Variations

Add a few tablespoons of hot sauce or sriracha sauce to the cheese mixture to make this pasta spicier.
Add a protein to this to make it more hearty. Try grilled chicken, shrimp, salmon, or sliced steak. You can also make some tofu if you'd like to keep this meatless.
Stir in some arugula, spinach, or kale to add more vegetables.

Angled view of a pan with copycat panera broccoli cheddar mac and cheese.

A spoon going into a pan of copycat panera broccoli cheddar mac and cheese.

Tips and Notes

I use white pepper instead of black pepper so it doesn't show in the mac and cheese. If you don't mind the black specks in the pasta, use regular black pepper.
Make sure to whisk the roux until there are no lumps of flour left. This way you get a smooth cheese sauce.
Have all your ingredients ready to go when you start this mac and cheese recipe. You don't want to accidentally burn the roux.
Make sure your vegetables are cut to bite-sizes so they cook evenly.
You can use a cheese grater or julienne peeler to make preparing the carrots easier.

Three bowls of copycat panera broccoli cheddar mac and cheese.

How do I store leftover mac and cheese?

Transfer the Panera bread copycat leftovers into an airtight container in the fridge.

How do I reheat this one pot pasta?

You can reheat the pasta in the microwave or stovetop. I prefer reheating this on the stovetop as I can add a splash of milk or broth to gently loosen the cheese sauce.

Can I freeze this Panera copycat mac and cheese?

You can! I freeze mine in 1 cup portions using a souper cubes to make it easy to defrost individual servings for myself as needed. Once frozen in the souper cube, I transfer it to a freezer-safe bag. Alternatively, you can freeze them in glass containers, just make sure it is airtight to avoid freezer burn.

Recipe