Gluten Free Copycat Panera Mac and Cheese
This Gluten Free Copycat Panera Mac And Cheese recipe means you can make your own rich and tangy pasta side dish easily at home.
Servings: 6 People
Cost: 7.00
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.