This copycat version of Panera Broccoli Cheddar Macaroni and Cheese is made super easy, (and one pot!) with the help of a pressure cooker. Much like the restaurant version, we combine the best parts of Macaroni & Cheese and Broccoli & Cheese Soup. Our version makes it super fast and easy to make a DIY version right in your own kitchen.

What are the ingredients in Copycat Panera Broccoli Cheddar Mac and Cheese Recipe

Butter– I used olive oil butter
Onion– yellow or white onion will both work fine for this recipe
Garlic Powder– I prefer garlic powder to fresh garlic in this recipe as I feel it spreads more evenly throughout the dish and there is less chance of it burning during the initial saute phase
Onion Powder
Elbow macaroni-you can substitute another similar sized pasta with similar cooking time, such as small shells, but you will want to stick with something similarly sized so it does not affect the overall cooking time
Broccoli-cut the broccoli into small bite-sized pieces
Grated Baby carrots-I used baby carrots as that is what I always have on hand. You could easily use standard sized carrots, peeled and grated, until you also reach about a cup in volume
Salt and pepper
Dijon mustard– I prefer the flavor of fresh dijon mustard to that of ground mustard powder for this pasta dish
Chicken bouillon–I used the scoopable kind such as Better than Bouillon
Hot Sauce– I used Texas Pete, use whatever hot sauce is your favorite
Half and Half
Cheeses– I used a cup of shredded yellow cheddar cheese, a cup of sharp white cheddar cheese, two slices of yellow American cheese, torn in small pieces and two Tablespoons of shredded parmesan cheese

How to make Panera Broccoli Cheddar Mac and Cheese Recipe

Begin by setting the pressure cooker to sauté. Add the butter and allow to melt. Add the onions, garlic powder and onion powder and cook, stirring, until the onions are beginning to soften, 2-3 minutes.
Turn off the sauté function and add the macaroni, broccoli, grated carrots, salt, pepper, dijon, chicken bouillon hot sauce, water and half and half. Stir gently so that the macaroni is covered. Set the cooking time to high pressure for 5 minutes.
When the cooking time is done, quick release any remaining pressure. Remove the lid and stir in the cheeses. Continue stirring until the cheese has all melted. Serve immediately.

Can this pasta be made in advance?

Yes, the Panera copycat pasta can be made in advance. Just make sure to remove the pasta from the Instant Pot as soon as the cheese has finished melting so that the continued heat from the pressure cooker does not cause the pasta to become overcooked.

Love Panera? Be sure to check out some of our other Panera Copycat recipes to bring the café home:

Want More restaurant copycats to make at home? Here are a few of our favorites:

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Breadsticks go well with soup or salads, and why not pasta. These Little Caesars Cheesy Breadsticks just work with it all!