Copycat Panera Mac n' Cheese

Stress Management

Picture yourself near a stream.
Birds are singing in the crisp, cool mountain air.
Nothing can bother you here.
No one knows this secret place.
You are in total seclusion from that place called the world.
The soothing sound of a gentle waterfall fills the air with a cascade of serenity.
The water is clear.
You can easily make out the face of the person whose head you're holding under the water.
There now, feeling better?
If nothing,  this made you smile.  While not feasible, it made me laugh. 

Ah, Comfort food.  Just those words make me feel relaxed.  My favorite comfort food of all time is Mac n Cheese.  But not just any will do, it has to be Panera's.  I've been making this recipe since I found it on the internet.  The flavor is unique.  All that  creamy goodness melting on your tongue with every bite you take.  It's so quick and easy to make & it sure does help when you've had a tooth extracted..... yeah, that wasn't fun but there is no reason you should suffer and not eat good,  right?   What an excuse huh?  It sure did hit the spot.  I can have all the soft food I want so i'm going back into the kitchen and see what else I can make...... ice cream.... marshmallows.......  Well, the dentist did say soft food......


Thanks for letting me share my favorite Mac n' Cheese Recipe Linda.

Ingredients:
 16 oz pipette pasta or other small pasta shapes
 4 tbsp unsalted butter
 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
 2 1/2 cups half-and-half
 4 oz white American cheese, chopped or torn into pieces
 8 oz extra sharp white Vermont cheddar, shredded
 2 tsp – 1 tbsp Dijon mustard (adjust according to your tastes)
 1 tsp Kosher salt

 1 tsp hot sauce (Used Frank’s)

Instructions:
  Cook pasta as directed on package,   Drain in colander and set aside

Place Butter in large 3 to 4 quart sauce pan and melt over low heat.  Add the flour to make a roux and keep stirring  to keep from scorching about a minute and a half.  Start adding the milk slowly making sure there are no lumps.  Keep whisking until the mixture until it thickens and starts to bubble.  This might take a bit. I stirred mine for about 10 minutes.

Remove from Heat and stir in cheeses a small handful at a time stirring until it melts, then keep adding the cheese until all of it is incorporated.  Add the mustard, salt & the hot sauce.  Stir well.  Return the pot to the flame and add the pasta and coat the pasta well and make sure that the pasta is heated through.  Serve immediately.  Store leftover in covered container and refrigerate.

Panera Stove Top Mac and Cheese