Move over boxed mac n cheese and hello Panera mac n cheese! Copy Cat Panera Mac N Cheese In the Instant Pot is so rich and decadent, you will want to savor every single bite. You can make this Panera mac n cheese in only 4 minutes using your Instant Pot. I mean it truly can’t get any easier, and the flavor factor is off the charts. Panera’s mac n cheese is by far one of my most favored items on their menu. I am a sucker for pasta and when you add loads of cheese, it has to be good!
What sets this mac n cheese apart from the rest is the variety of ingredients it adds such a unique flavor that really draws you in. This is velvety, cheesy, and so very creamy, it is absolutely delectable. This recipe you use some hot sauce and Dijon mustard, bare with me here. These two ingredients really give this copycat Panera mac n cheese that unforgettable flavor that you will dream about. At first, I thought how is hot sauce and mustard going to taste good in mac n cheese, but it just works.
My Instant Pot Chicken Cordon Blue Is one of my favorite cheesy dishes.
The sharp cheese and the American cheese are two kinds of cheese I love to cook with because they melt so well, it will give you a really nice and smooth texture that is so creamy. Best of all they are two kinds of cheese that you can buy pretty much anywhere. I have made some mac n cheese recipes that I had to go to three different stores to find the specific cheeses it called for. This recipe is so simple and uses basic ingredients that you might already have on hand in your pantry and fridge.
I can’t even tell you how many times I have made this recipe, it is so amazing and tastes exactly like Panera’s mac n cheese! It gets requested to be added to the menu often, and I can’t say no because it is hard to resist. Plus the leftovers of this are amazing, the ingredients really blend together even more for a more bold and rich flavor. I hope you and your family enjoy this comforting copycat mac n cheese recipe.
UPDATE: Make sure your broth covers the Pasta. you might need 3 cups just enough to cover the pasta.
I hope you enjoy this as much as we did 🙂 Also see how to make Boxed Mac N Cheese right in the Instant Pot!
Copy Cat Panera Mac N Cheese In the Instant Pot
This copycat mac n cheese in the Instant Pot is so rich and decadent, you will want to savor every single bite.
Ingredients
- 16 oz pasta I used elbow
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 8 oz sharp cheese
- 8 oz American cheese
- 1 tbsp hot sauce
- 1 tbs dijon mustard
- 1/2 cup milk
- 2 tbs butter
Instructions
- Place pasta in your Instant Pot with chicken broth and butter.
- Set pot to manual high pressure for 4 minutes.
- Do a quick release.
- Place your Instant Pot on saute.
- Stir in milk, mustard, and hot sauce
- Stir in cheese and stir until melted about 1-2 minutes. Remove from heat and serve.
Nutrition Information:
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 625Saturated Fat: 17gCholesterol: 89mgSodium: 1285mgCarbohydrates: 59gFiber: 2gSugar: 4gProtein: 27g
Jana Williams commented
Thanks So Much for Sharing this Delicious Recipe for Panera Mac n Cheese Recipe, I Love Their Macaroni! I Know Everyone Makes Their Macaroni Differently but I Like Mine Creamy with Elbow Pasta Like in this Recipe! I Will Certainly Save this Recipe for Future References, Thanks Again for Sharing! Have a Blessed Day! – Jana
Rosanne commented
Discovered mac n cheese late in life and now I’m addicted to it. Replace the orange kind with white. Looks good and easy
Shannon commented
Is 1/4 cup hot sauce really right? I made this and the hot sauce was overwhelming.
Sarah commented
I just made it tonight & thought the same thing. It was tasty but on the spicy side & I couldn’t find white cheese (besides jack or Mozzarella). I wouldn’t say it was anything like Panera but it was good.
Leah commented
I make recipe like this on the stove top and it calls for 1/4 tsp of hot sauce. But otherwise sounds de!ish and very close in recipe besides that. I was assuming it was a cut paste error or typo ?
anne commented
I looked at other copy cat recipes for this Panera recipe and it is 1/4 teaspoon of hot sauce in other recipes for this quantity pasta and some recipes simply omit altogether. This might very well be a typo.
Meghan commented
Made this for kids so left out the hot sauce buy added some sea salt. Also used less cheese, started with 8 oz of Colby Jack, added a couple of slices of American and threw in some shredded Mexican. Basically, what was in the fridge. Watched and added a few more chunks of the colby jack as needed. Came out soooo good. I will add some hot sauce to mine, but this is a winner. As fast as the box stuff and a ton better.
Susan commented
Made recipe as instucted. OMG it was waaaaaaaaay over the top spicy. Agree with prior poster questioning that 1/4 cup is accurate?? 1/4 cup Tabasco is the whole 2 oz bottle. It makes this recipe on par with the spiciest buffalo wing you have ever attempted to eat but couldn’t. My son was so disappointed but we will try again tomorrow — w.o the hot sauce.
Susan commented
Just looked this up elsewhere. It is supposed to be 1/4 teaspoon. Not 1/4 CUP.
Beware and adjust accordingly or this turns into Nuclear Spicy Firetruck Needed Buffalo Mac n Cheese.
Cheksi2 commented
Can I double recipe him the Instant Pot?
Leigh commented
I am new to Instant Pot. Just got mine and read in manual that they don’t recommend making pasta dishes. Your thoughts?
Matt commented
Your missing out if you don’t!
Jen commented
My noodles didn’t cook. They were very al dente. And it was far too cheesy. Any tips for how I can correct? It was super fast and easy. I’d like to make it again if I can figure out the noodles.
Mama June commented
Jen, I had to double the liquids. I also used half and half instead of milk.
Joy commented
Made this tonight. It was a little heavy on the cheese. Should it have said 2 cups & 1 cup instead of 16oz & 8 oz. I had to add a lot more milk to make it edible. I will try it again with adjustments.
Melissa commented
Yummy. Not like Panera. I’m glad we were out if hot sauce after seeing below 1/4 cup was too much but will add some next time. I definitely need to add more liquid fit noodles but mine were ok to cook. Probably less cheese next time too, but nice recipe to start with. Thanks
Jhana commented
Do you use shredded cheese? I domt like a stringy texture
Jen commented
It’s awesome!! Only thing was a used Frank’s hot sauce but maybe like 1-2 tbsp. Doesn’t need any more, especially if you’re making for kids. The rest of these ingredients make it really flavorful!!
Maria commented
I would cover macaroni with stock more than 2 cups
Jill commented
Do I drain the both out before sauté????
Linda commented
Your copycat Mac and cheese looks delicious! Just a thought, would it also work with cheddar cheese?
Another question, can it be made in advance and kept warm in the Instant Pot?
Carolyn commented
Are all your recipes for the 3 qt. Mini IP? I cook just for myself. They look and sound delicious. I haven’t purchased my IP yet, but, will very soon. Am anxious to start using one.
Jeannie commented
Carolyn,
I pondered whether I should get the 3 or 6qt Instant Pot. I ended up with the 6 qt LUX60 ($79 on Amazon.) I figured I can make less and It would be fine. I cook for 2 and we love leftovers!. The only reason to get the duo, from my perspective is if you want to make yogurt. There is no button for that on the LUX. I love my IP!!
Patti commented
What size IP is this for? I’m assuming for my 3 qt, I need to change the quantities?
Anny Laird commented
I love your recipes! MORE, MORE PLEASE!!
Lesley Raymond commented
Can you make this a day ahead and reheat in the oven?
Adventures of a Nurse commented
Yes
Mauricio commented
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a from that same opponent in late situation.
Jocelyn T Segal commented
Carla have you used gluten free pasta b4 in the instant pot? Not sure if i should use the same time as per this recipe. I appreciate your help!
Form a fellow nurse 🙂
Tonya Turbville commented
I probably had to increase the chicken broth /water to about 6 cups rather than 2 because 2 is just not enough. I used 8 oz. shredded Velveeta Shreds and 8 oz. sharp Cheddar cheese. Everything else was the same. Delicious! Probably my favorite IP mac & cheese (and I’ve tried a few).