Being Gluten Free means you can’t always have your favorite restaurant dish because of ingredients. Don’t let that deter you. Get out the pots and pans. This Gluten Free Copycat Panera Mac And Cheese recipe means you can make a version of their rich and tangy pasta side dish easily at home.
Is Panera Mac And Cheese Gluten Free?
No, Panera Mac and Cheese is NOT Gluten Free. They use traditional pasta shell shaped pasta as well as enriched flour in the restaurant version as stated on their website.
Thankfully, gluten free pasta shells are easy to find in stores and online.
Copycat Panera Mac And Cheese Recipe Tips
Do Not Overcook the Pasta – Over cooking the gluten free pasta will make it fall apart or become mushy. Cook it just until it’s done. It should be al dente which means slightly firm.
Shred Your Own Cheese – Packaged shredded cheese contains ingredients to prevent the cheese from caking together. This can cause the cheese sauce to be a thicker consistency. For a smoother cheese sauce, shred you own cheese.
Switch the Cheddar – Panera uses white cheddar but adjust the cheddar to your liking. Use a yellow cheddar or one that is less sharp for a milder taste.
Gluten Free Flour – I used King Arthur Measure for Measure Gluten Free Flour. White rice flour would be a good substitute to try in place of the measure for measure.
Reheating the Mac and Cheese – While the texture is not as creamy as the first day, this does reheat pretty well in the microwave.
Once you make this recipe and see how easy it is, I believe it will take care of the Panera craving and become a regular side dish for your dinners.
Find More Gluten Free Recipes on YouTube and Pinterest.
More Gluten Free Copycat Recipes
Gluten Free Starbucks Lemon Loaf – This Starbucks version of pound cake has a bright flavor with a sweet and tart icing that’s delicious.
Gluten Free Good Seasons Garlic and Herb Dressing Mix – is perfect for everything! Salads and Gluten Free Pasta Salad, mixed into butter or cream cheese and used as chicken or salmon seasoning.
Chilis Monterey Chicken – This BBQ Chicken is no longer on Chili’s menu but you can still make an weeknight dinner at home with this recipe.
Copycat Pineapple Dole Whip – This easy dessert is cold, refreshing and dairy free. The creamy, soft serve feel will have everyone thinking it’s ice cream.
Gluten Free Copycat Panera Mac and Cheese
Ingredients
- 2 Tbs Unsalted Butter
- 2 Tbs Gluten Free Flour. (I used King Arthur Measure for Measure Gluten Free Flour)
- ½ Cup Milk, any fat percentage
- 1 Cup Heavy Cream
- 2 Cup Shredded White Cheddar Cheese, Shred It Yourself For Best Results
- ½ tsp Salt
- ½ tsp Black Pepper
- ½ tsp Dry Mustard
- 8 oz Gluten Free Shells or Elbow Macaroni, Cooked
Instructions
- Cook the pasta according to package directions. Do not overcook the pasta. Drain and set aside until the sauce is made.
- While the pasta is cooking, add the butter to a large pot and melt over medium high heat.
- Whisk the gluten free flour into the melted butter and cook for about one minute.
- Reduce the heat to medium and add the milk, heavy cream, salt, mustard and pepper.
- Continue whisking until it begins to bubble, then reduce heat to low.
- Add half the shredded cheddar whisk until melted and repeat with the remaining cheddar.
- Add the cheese sauce to the cooked pasta and stir until combined.
- Sauce will thicken as it cools.
Video
Notes
- Do Not Overcook the Pasta – Over cooking the gluten free pasta will make it fall apart or become mushy. Cook it just until it’s done. It should be al dente which means slightly firm.
- Shred Your Own Cheese – Packaged shredded cheese contains ingredients to prevent the cheese from caking together. This can cause the cheese sauce to be a thicker consistency. For a smoother cheese sauce, shred you own cheese.
- Switch the Cheddar – Panera uses white cheddar but adjust the cheddar to your liking. Use a yellow cheddar or one that is less sharp for a milder taste.
- Gluten Free Flour – I used King Arthur Measure for Measure Gluten Free Flour but white rice flour would be a good substitute to try in place of the measure for measure.
- Reheating the Mac and Cheese – While the texture is not as creamy as the first day, this does reheat pretty well in the microwave.
