Print

Creamy Panera Loaded Mac and Cheese Recipe Easy Homemade Comfort Food

creamy panera loaded mac and cheese - featured image
Print Recipe

A quick and easy creamy mac and cheese recipe inspired by Panera, loaded with smoky bacon, sharp cheddar, and green onions for a comforting, satisfying meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 ounces elbow macaroni
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups whole milk
  • 1/2 cup cottage cheese
  • 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 4 slices bacon, cooked crisp and chopped
  • 2 stalks green onions, thinly sliced
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • Pinch of smoked paprika

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add elbow macaroni and cook for 7-8 minutes until al dente. Drain and set aside.
  2. While pasta cooks, crisp bacon in a skillet over medium heat for 5-7 minutes. Remove, drain on paper towels, and chop. Reserve some bacon fat if desired.
  3. Blend cottage cheese in a blender or food processor until smooth, about 30 seconds.
  4. In a large saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 1-2 minutes until light golden.
  5. Gradually whisk in milk, stirring constantly to avoid lumps. Add garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook until sauce thickens, about 5-6 minutes.
  6. Remove sauce from heat and stir in blended cottage cheese, sharp cheddar, and mozzarella until melted and smooth. Return to low heat if needed.
  7. Stir drained pasta, chopped bacon, and green onions into cheese sauce until well combined.
  8. Taste and adjust seasoning. Serve warm, garnished with extra green onions or smoked paprika.

Notes

If sauce is too thick, whisk in a splash of milk to loosen. If too thin, cook longer to thicken. Do not overcook pasta as it will finish cooking in the sauce. Blending cottage cheese creates a smoother sauce but can be skipped. Bacon fat can be reserved for extra flavor. For gluten-free, substitute flour with gluten-free flour. Dairy-free options possible with vegan cheese and plant milk.

Nutrition

Keywords: mac and cheese, creamy mac and cheese, loaded mac and cheese, Panera copycat, comfort food, easy dinner, cheesy pasta, bacon mac and cheese

Find it online: https://tastytuck.com/creamy-panera-loaded-mac-and-cheese-recipe-easy-homemade-comfort-food/