Panera Copycat Broccoli Cheddar Mac and Cheese
Creamiest Broccoli Cheddar Mac and Cheese - easy Panera copycat recipe - ready in just 30 minutes with fresh broccoli and shredded carrots.
Servings: 4
Calories:
Ingredients
- 8 ounces medium pasta shells
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1 cup carrots shredded OR matchstick
- 3 cups fresh broccoli florets chopped
- 1 large garlic clove minced
- 2 tablespoons all purpose flour
- 2/3 cup whole milk
- 3 ounces cream cheese cut in cubes
- 1/2 cup chicken stock
- 8 ounces sharp cheddar cheese freshly grated (can use combo white/yellow cheddar)
- salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Grate the cheese and set aside.
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Season generously with salt. Add pasta and cook 1 minute less than package directions (just shy of al dente). Drain well and set aside.
- To the same pot over medium heat melt butter. Add broccoli and carrots. Season lightly with salt and pepper and cook 3 minutes stirring occasionally.
- Reduce heat to low, add minced garlic and cook 1 minute stirring often so the garlic doesn’t burn. Sprinkle flour over the top, stir to coat then cook for 1 minute.
- Gradually whisk in milk simmering 2-3 minutes or until slightly thickened.
- Add cubed cream cheese stirring until it’s almost combined then pour in the chicken stock and give it all a good stir to combine.
- Turn heat as low as it’ll go then slowly add grated cheddar cheese stirring until it forms a silky sauce.
- Taste and season with salt and pepper to your preference (I use about 1/2 teaspopon salt and 1/4 teaspoon of pepper then add pasta and gently stir until combined.
- Optional: add fresh cracked black pepper on top. Serve right away.