Copy Cat Panera Mac N Cheese In the Instant Pot — What is your favorite dish from Panera Bread? Do you love the macaroni and cheese there more than anything else on the menu?
Well, we have a great recipe to share with you today for Copy Cat Panera Mac N Cheese In The Instant Pot. It tastes just like what you get at your local branch of this popular restaurant chain. This one-pot wonder will be ready in under 10 minutes. You won’t believe how easy it is to make!
A delicious copycat recipe for macaroni and cheese that is made in the Instant Pot! This will be a perfect dish to make during the winter season. It takes just minutes to prepare, so it’s quick enough for weeknight dinners too!
This is so good! My kids went crazy for it, and what’s better, it takes less than the time at the drive-thru to make this delicious recipe!
If you are new to Instant Pot or Ninja Foodi Cooking, some of my favorite recipes are INSTANT POT SCRAMBLED EGGS, INSTANT POT STUFFING, INSTANT POT BBQ PULLED PORK, and INSTANT POT HOMEMADE HAMBURGER HELPER.
What Is So Great About Panera Mac N Cheese?
Panera Mac & Cheese is so good! It has both Sharp and American cheese, but it’s also served with a bit of spice with Dijon Mustard and Hot Sauce!
It is a crave-worthy dish!
The Best Copycat Panera Mac And Cheese
Dreaming of the creamy, rich, and incredibly comforting mac and cheese from Panera? No need to leave the house when you can make a perfect copycat version right at home! This recipe captures the essence of Panera’s fan-favorite dish, featuring a velvety cheese sauce, the comforting bite of pasta, and a hint of warmth from Dijon mustard. It’s the ideal comfort food for any time of the year. With a handful of simple ingredients and easy-to-follow steps, you can enjoy a bowl of this homestyle classic in the comfort of your own kitchen. Let’s bring the famous Panera mac and cheese to your dining table!
Ingredients Needed For CopyCat Panera Mac N Cheese In the Instant Pot
- Elbow Macaroni
- Water or Vegetable Broth
- Butter
- Milk
- Sharp Cheddar Cheese
- American Cheese
- Hot Sauce
- Dijon Mustard
How To Make Copy Cat Panera Mac N Cheese In the Instant Pot
Start by making the pasta, add the macaroni and water (or vegetable broth) to the Instant Pot. Set the manual high pressure for 4 minutes. Make sure that the vent is sealed.
When the timer beeps and the four minutes are up, do a quick release. If you let it naturally release, or it will overcook.
Then mix in the cheese, butter, milk, hot sauce, and mustard, stir until everything is melted. If you need more heat for the melting, press the keep warm or saute’ button. I didn’t need more heat; everything melted for me.
Pro Tips:
- Make sure that your water or broth covers the pasta. Otherwise, you will end up with either uncooked or crunchy pasta.
- Make sure that you do a quick release. Otherwise, your pasta will be gummy or sticky. For best results, do an immediate release as soon as the pressure has been released.
What kind of cheese is best for mac and cheese?
Since this was a copycat recipe, we used what Panera uses: American cheese and sharp cheddar cheese. But you can use any cheese that you want. Some great ones to try are white cheddar, Mexican Cheese, and even Colby Jack.
What can I use instead of Dijon Mustard?
Don’t have dijon mustard in your house, and you can easily switch it out for dry mustard powder (1 teaspoon) or omit it.
How To Store Leftover Mac & Cheese
For best results, store the leftover macaroni and cheese in an airtight container, and place them into the refrigerator. It will last for about 2 to 4 days.
Freezing: Due to the dairy in the recipe, it is not recommended for freezing, as it does not thaw well.
Reheat: Add the leftover macaroni and cheese into a microwave-safe bowl, and reheat in the microwave until warmed through.
MORE INSTANT POT RECIPES:
- INSTANT POT SCRAMBLED EGGS
- INSTANT POT STUFFING
- EASY INSTANT POT BBQ PULLED PORK
- INSTANT POT HOMEMADE HAMBURGER HELPER
- INSTANT POT SPICED APPLE CIDER
- EASY INSTANT POT PUMPKIN PIE
DON’T FORGET TO PIN:
Copy Cat Panera Mac N Cheese In the Instant Pot
Description
Ingredients
- 16 ounces elbow macaroni
- 2 cups water , or vegetable broth
- 2 tablespoons butter
- ½ cup milk
- 16 ounces Sharp Cheddar cheese
- 8 ounces American cheese slices
- ¼ cup hot sauce
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
Instructions
- Start by making the pasta, add the macaroni and water (or vegetable broth) to the Instant Pot.
- Set the manual high pressure for 4 minutes.
- Make sure that the vent is sealed.
- When the timer beeps and the four minutes are up, do a quick release. If you let it naturally release, or it will overcook.
- Then mix in the cheese, butter, milk, hot sauce, and mustard, stir until everything is melted. If you need more heat for the melting, press the keep warm or saute’ button. I didn’t need more heat; everything melted for me.
- Plate, serve, and enjoy!
Equipment
- Pressure Cooker, Instant Pot or Ninja Foodi
Nutrition
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